Merit alone can’t make you a CEO, says leadership coach; urges professionals to embrace office politics

Quoting professor Joey Chance, Das added, “You always have to ask people. If you don’t, the answer is always no.”

Explaining how professionals can negotiate effectively with employers, Das shared two key approaches: salary negotiations and non-monetary negotiations. “Next time you talk to an HR, tell him you sat at two other interviews. Just the fact that you are telling him you have two other options, this will increase your leverage,” he said, adding, “As a result, you may get a better first offer.”

On non-monetary negotiations, Das suggested that professionals should ask employers whether they can enroll in training programmes or be assigned interns to gain people-management experience. Another strategy, he said, is negotiating for a better designation. According to him, “The third way… is that a professional can request a fancier title.”

Emphasising the long-term value of negotiation, Das said, “You should negotiate throughout your life.”

The leadership coach also spoke candidly about office politics, calling it unavoidable for career growth. “If you refuse to get involved in office politics, you have no future,” he stated. Referring to a Stanford course, Das said it teaches professionals how to become indispensable through critical thinking and by avoiding the creation of a “number two” at the workplace. “In reality, your number 2 will replace you,” he added.

Das, however, clarified that entrepreneurs need to approach office politics differently from corporate professionals.

When asked whether skills alone are sufficient to become a CEO, Das said, “No. Politics is a negative word, but it has nuances.” He concluded by saying that a combination of technical expertise, office politics, personal branding, and the ability to manage enemies is what ultimately shapes a CEO.