December 1, 2025

Workplace Politics in 2025: How Engineers Can Win Without Playing Games

Engineering teams in 2025 look different. Hybrid work, distributed leadership, and constant change. But one thing hasn’t changed: navigating workplace politics is tricky. In this episode, Duncan Mapes and Jason Ehmke get real about how engineers can build influence without playing power games. From handling peer dynamics to understanding leadership intent, they share frameworks that help you stay effective and aligned. This conversation started with a listener’s question, and it sparked insights every individual contributor and engineering leader should hear. Whether you’re trying to give feedback, manage relationships, or earn trust on your team, this episode will change how you think about workplace dynamics.