Michelle Hagen on Viewing Politics as Just People

What I’ve Learned

Earlier in her career, Michelle Hagen saw office politics as a distraction — something to avoid so she could stay focused on “the work.” But she quickly realized that ignoring the dynamics wasn’t protecting her effectiveness; it was limiting it.

“Politics aren’t noise. They’re people. And connections with people are how work really gets done.”

That reframing changed everything. To truly understand the landscape often requires navigating relationships as intentionally as projects.

How I’ve Sharpened

Michelle shifted her leadership approach to treat politics as part of reading the environment:

• Curiosity as compass. She asks questions not just about the work, but about why people hold certain views or positions.
• Decode power flows. Beyond formal org charts, she studies where decisions really happen and how information actually moves.
• Empathy in interpretation. Instead of labeling resistance as obstruction, she considers what pressures or fears might be driving it.
• Build coalitions early. She invests in relationships before she needs them, creating goodwill that pays dividends later.
• Stay transparent. She keeps communication open and direct, reducing the chances of misinterpretation.
• Strategic patience. She’s learned to time bold moves for when trust and alignment are in place, rather than pushing too soon.

Why It Matters

For Michelle, understanding the landscape means seeing the invisible terrain — the networks, motivations, and cultural dynamics that shape decisions. Leaders who ignore it risk isolation. Leaders who decode it can chart the right path forward.

“Once I understood politics as part of the landscape, not a distraction from it, I could finally navigate with confidence.”

About Michelle Hagen

Michelle Hagen is EVP of Global Partnerships at Paramount Pictures. With extensive experience across entertainment and media, she is recognized for her ability to decode complex environments and build strategies that align with both culture and business needs. She leads with curiosity and empathy, helping teams succeed by understanding how organizations truly work.