The term "office politics" often has a negative connotation because it implies an unfair advantage at the expense of others. Unfortunately, you can't always escape a bit of power play at work. What you can do is maneuver your way around it. Here's how:

Highlight your accomplishments.
Whether that’s to your boss or coworkers, it’s essential to show them what you’ve done and what you’re capable of. The Wall Street Journal says an assertive personality is tough to break down.

Stay true to your values.
Always play it clean. There are people who will do just about anything to snag a promotion or rise up the ranks, but don’t stoop down to their level. Besides, sabotaging other people's reputation is akin to sabotaging your own.

Establish strong alliances.
Gain the trust and respect of your colleagues by sharing credits of successes and keeping your promises. According to Business Insider, the key to building alliances is figuring out what you want and what your co-worker wants, and agreeing to work together for both your career advancement.

Know what’s going on, but keep your mouth shut.
While it’s important to be in the know of what's going on in the office, it’s also vital not to generate gossip or even dwell on it. Tempting as it is, don’t get involved in management's latest drama. You have better things to do, like, your job, which leads us to...

Focus on your job.
At the end of the day, the best way to deal with office politics is to accomplish your tasks well. Don't meddle in other people's affairs and concentrate on doing what's best for you and your team. Other people can say what they want, but you should let your work speak for itself.

SCREENCAP: Mad Men/AMC