Ever feel like you’re being played?
The headlines scream.
The narratives twist.
The players talk big — but deliver little.
And still, most people go along with it.
They share the outrage.
Pick a side.
Parrot the surface-level take.
But power isn’t usually found in what’s loud.
It’s in what’s hidden — beneath the noise.
Let’s talk about how to see the game being played… without getting pulled into it.
The Mechanics of Deception
In politics — and in office politics —
deceit is rarely blatant.
It’s subtle.
It’s strategic.
You won’t often catch someone outright lying.
What you’ll see instead is:
- Distraction
- Deflection
- Delays
- Half-truths
- Carefully chosen silences
This is how agendas move forward quietly.
While everyone else argues about the surface.
If You’re Only Watching What’s Loud, You’re Missing the Real Play
Power uses noise to hide intent.
Big gestures. Big emotions. Big headlines.
But behind the scenes, the real deals are being done:
- Quiet favours
- Unspoken exchanges
- Decisions made long before the announcement
You can’t control this.
But you can learn to see it.
And once you do?
You stop being manipulated by what’s obvious.
The Questions That Reveal the Truth
When you’re faced with noise, ask:
- Who benefits from this story?
- What’s not being mentioned?
- Why is this happening now?
- What’s the real objective behind this message?
Truth rarely shouts.
It whispers.
You need to stop reacting… and start listening for the signal beneath the spin.
You Don’t Have to Be Part of the Game—But You Must See It
Whether in the workplace or the world stage,
you can’t afford to stay naïve.
Awareness doesn’t make you cynical.
It makes you effective.
It lets you choose your responses with clarity.
And influence outcomes without being pulled into someone else’s chaos.
Final Thought
The real power players?
They don’t chase headlines.
They don’t get swept up in drama.
They’re watching.
Thinking.
Positioning.
And when they move — it’s deliberate.
The game is always being played.
You don’t have to play it. But you do need to see it.
The Gautrey Influence Blog
Ever felt overlooked, unheard, or stuck in office politics? You’re not alone. The Gautrey Influence Blog breaks down the real-world strategies behind leadership, influence, and power—giving you the tools to be heard, respected, and successful. Join 35,000+ professionals getting ahead the smart way—subscribe now..
Benchmark your Influence: Take the Master of Influence Assessment (Free for Subscribers!)
[Subscribe & Take the Assessment]
