Dubai institute launches new programme to help employees tackle office politics

Dubai: There can't be many working who haven’t at various points felt overwhelmed or outrightly threatened by office-based politics. Some may have even seen their careers upended as a result.

Now, professionals based in the UAE have a way to cope with some of the internal politicking happening at the workplace. 

The Institute for Future Readiness in Dubai has started offering a short-term programme designed to equip UAE professionals with the tools to navigate workplace dynamics effectively The course is tailored for ‘individuals at all levels because office politics affects everyone throughout their careers and during transitions', said Dr. Selina Neri, the CEO, Dean and co-founder of The Institute for Future Readiness.

There is also curiosity and demand among employees and corporate groups to overcome the challenge of workplace politics. “Admitting that office politics exists is no longer taboo, and organisations are beginning to recognise its impact,” said Dr. Selina.

For now, the programme is only open to corporate groups. “Our focus is on B2B - in 2–3 years, we may expand to B2C or open enrollment programs,” she added. (The fees associated with enrolling in the programme were not disclosed.) The Institute for Future Readiness assists individuals to remain lifelong learners by working with schools, universities, and the private and public sectors.

The Institute for Future Readiness has a rather straightforward definition for workplace politics - ‘Hear what is unsaid and see what is invisible’.

But is workplace politicking a good thing? Or toxic? According to Dr Selina, it can be a bit of both.

“When I ask participants to associate words with office politics, the responses are typically: toxic, bad, dangerous, or uncomfortable,” she said. “Office politics doesn't have to be negative. It's about recognising and navigating the environment in an ethical way without compromising values.”

Dr Selina says it is really about understanding how to use influence and relationships positively—whether to lead effectively, protect your team, or align stakeholders.

“In our programme, we focus on experiential learning. Participants bring real-life examples of challenges they’ve faced. We help them understand and navigate office politics, assess the political landscape of their organisation, and make informed choices about how to engage.”

One common example is being overlooked for promotions or opportunities despite excellent performance. Another is returning from personal leave—whether due to illness, caregiving, or maternity leave—and finding that the employees have been demoted or sidelined.

“For instance, women returning from maternity leave often feel it’s their fault, but it’s not,” said Dr Selina. “It results from a political environment that doesn’t account for life outside work.

“Similarly, when projects derail, it’s often due to overlooked stakeholders or hidden agendas.”

“For example, many competent people with great performance reviews feel stuck in their careers,” she added. “They see someone with less experience—or someone who simply speaks another language or looks better—get promoted over them. This leads to frustration, disengagement, and even attrition.

“Since workers face workplace politics at almost every stage of their careers, it is crucial to learn to deal with it ethically while remaining true to ourselves,” said Dr Selina.

Does being in a multicultural city make it worse? Absolutely.

“Working across cultures is enriching but can also lead to misunderstandings,” said Dr Selina. “Different cultures have varying perspectives on power, influence, and workplace relationships.

“For example, how you speak truth to power or use personal relationships professionally can vary significantly between cultures.”