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Ever felt like your workplace was less a team and more a collection of feuding tribes? You’re not alone. When leadership vanishes, a vacuum forms, and into that vacuum rushes something far less productive: politics.

I once observed a department where the leader wasn’t malicious or incompetent—they were simply absent. And their absence became the fertile ground for division. Cliques emerged, information became a commodity to hoard, and meetings devolved into power plays rather than progress sessions. It was a stark reminder that where leadership disappears, politics inevitably emerges.

The Lesson: Leadership presence isn’t a bonus; it’s the bedrock. A leader doesn’t need to micromanage every detail but must remain visible, engaged, and relentlessly aligned with the mission. Think of it this way: In chaos, people naturally seek out “their tribe.” But under strong, present leadership, those same individuals find themselves part of a cohesive, high-performing team. Want to banish the workplace drama? Start by showing up.