The workplace is a microcosm of society, and just like in any social setting, people naturally form groups and connections. These groups, often referred to as cliques, can have both positive and negative implications for workplace dynamics.

The office—a place of productivity, inspiration, and, if we’re being honest, a playground of cliques and alliances that can rival the plot twists of a well-crafted TV drama. Every workplace has its tribes and navigating these cliques while building strategic alliances is a subtle art that requires skill, diplomacy, and (more than likely) a sense of humor.

Understanding the Workplace Cliques Conundrum
Simply put, workplace cliques are informal groups of employees who share common interests, backgrounds, or social connections. While forming connections at work is normal and can contribute to a positive workplace culture, cliques can sometimes lead to exclusionary behaviors and a sense of division among employees.

You’ve got the “Lunchtime Loungers” who never miss a team meal, the “Water Cooler Whisperers” who dish out office gossip, and the “Caffeine Crusaders” who plot world domination, one latte at a time.

First, let’s talk about who’s who in the office. Most workplaces have some common tribes you can quickly identify:

The Early Birds: They’re in the office before dawn, mainlining coffee and looking at you with pity when you drag yourself in at 9:00 a.m. After all, their day is half over. If you want to be in their good graces, casually mention your morning workout regime (real or imagined), and how you “just love” waking up early.

The Lunch Al Desko Crew: Found in break rooms or hunched over their desks, wrist-deep into mysterious Tupperware. Known for their fierce dedication to “working through lunch” but equally fierce gossip game. Pop by with some homemade cookies, and you’ll be in.

The Slackers (aka Slack Pros): They are experts at looking busy while sending memes. They’ll never volunteer for the extra project, but they’re the ones to know if you need a digital ally to help spice up the team chat or subtly distract during long Zoom meetings.

The Meeting Enthusiasts: Always “looping you in” or “circling back” on threads you vaguely remember. They live by the calendar and can’t resist inviting everyone to brainstorm—over four meetings. Join them for one, and you’re good for a month.

You’ll see that cliques and allies reveal themselves in the most unexpected ways. The “PowerPoint Prankster” from Marketing turns out to be an ally when they share a knowing smile during the endless presentation. Meanwhile, the “Clipboard Crusader” from HR is the unofficial leader of the “Office Rules Enforcers” clique and watch out if you forget to refill the paper in the printer! In this same camp you will also find the “Reply All Rebels” – a fearsome clique known for epic email chains and endless cc’ing. On the flip side, allies gently guide you away from “Oops, wrong recipient” disasters and provide much-needed comic relief in the form of GIFs and memes.

Each group has its quirks, but more importantly, its hidden benefits. Figure out which ones vibe with you best, but keep an open mind because alliances are all about fluidity.

The Positive Aspects of Workplace Cliques
Social Support: Cliques can provide a sense of belonging and emotional support, especially in larger organizations.

Team Cohesion: In some cases, workplace cliques can lead to stronger team cohesion and collaboration within the group.

Ideas and Innovation: Informal groups can serve as a breeding ground for creative ideas and innovation.

The Negative Aspects of Workplace Cliques
Exclusion: Cliques can inadvertently or intentionally exclude other employees, leading to feelings of isolation.

Communication Breakdown: Over-reliance on cliques for communication can hinder effective information flow within the organization.

Perception of Favoritism: Cliques may create the perception of favoritism, which can harm morale and productivity.

Navigating Workplace Cliques
Awareness: Recognize that cliques exist and can impact workplace dynamics.

Inclusivity: Encourage inclusivity by organizing team-building activities and events that promote interaction across different groups.

Communication: Foster open communication channels to ensure information flows freely and inclusively.

Leadership Role: Leaders should set the tone by modeling inclusive behaviors and addressing exclusionary actions.

Allies in the Workplace
While cliques may sometimes contribute to exclusion, allies play a crucial role in promoting inclusivity and diversity. An ally is someone who advocates for and supports marginalized or underrepresented groups. Allies can help create a more equitable and inclusive workplace by:

Listening and Learning: Allies actively listen to the experiences and concerns of marginalized groups and educate themselves about issues related to diversity and inclusion.

Amplifying Voices: They use their privilege and influence to amplify the voices of underrepresented individuals and promote their ideas.

Intervening: Allies intervene when they witness discrimination or exclusionary behavior and work to create a safe and respectful environment for all employees.

Advocacy: Allies advocate for inclusive policies and practices within the organization.

Continuous Growth: Allies are committed to ongoing self-improvement and learning about diversity and inclusion.

Forging Alliances (Without Making It Weird)
If you’re imagining this involves whispered conversations and intricate power plays, you might be overthinking it. Office alliances can be subtle, positive, and—dare I say—mutually beneficial! Here are a few tips:

Bond over Mutual Misery: Nothing brings people together like a shared minor inconvenience. Whether it’s the broken coffee machine, the endless reply alls, or the weekly timesheet alerts, make it a “we” problem. Misery loves company, and it’s much less lonely when someone else shares your opinion about the printer.

Lunch Roulette: Rather than orbiting around the same group each day, switch it up. Find a lunch buddy from a different department every once in a while, or join the crowd in the break room.

Offer to “Help” During Busy Times: For a few colleagues, this little favor goes a long way. You don’t have to dive into the deep end, but offering to take some non-glamorous duties can build appreciation faster than a dozen donuts (well, maybe in some cases).

“Bounce Ideas” with Different Departments: This sounds corporate but is actually code for: “Go hang out with the other teams and see what they’re up to.” You’d be amazed at what a bit of inter-departmental mingling can do for your network. The extra intel doesn’t hurt either.

Watch Out for Frenemies
Remember, not everyone who seems friendly has your best interests at heart (shocking, I know). It’s all part of the workplace game. Keep an eye out for these characters:

The “Accidental” Credit Stealer: They may genuinely not realize they’re taking credit for your ideas, or they may just be really good at it. A well-placed “Oh, thanks! Glad you liked my idea!” in a meeting can work wonders.

The Gossip General: They’re a double-edged sword. Great for insights and laughs but watch what you share. There’s a fine line between clever banter and oversharing, and this person is very good at blurring it.

The Calendar Overbooker: If you’re in their line of sight, beware of a deluge of calendar invites. Politely decline as needed and mention “catching up with sales/accounting/marketing/project management team” or “wrapping up a deadline.” Translation: “I’m way too swamped to discuss the finer points of that spreadsheet again.”

Laugh Off the Drama
At the end of the day, it’s good to remember that workplace relationships come and go, but the funny stories are forever. Did you get sucked into a meme war with the Slack Samurai? Enjoy it! Did you manage to secure a desk adjacent to the morning coffee club? Embrace the 7 a.m. sunrise routine… or bring earplugs.

Remember, every great alliance (and all solid cliques) is built on two main things: a sense of humor and a shared goal. So, keep your friendships light, your alliances genuine, and your snacks well-stocked. And who knows? When the time comes for an office reshuffle or a group project, you’ll have allies across all cliques—like a true master of the workplace game.