Brooke Johnson

President
Food Network

CABLEFAX: THE MAGAZINE: What are your tips for managing office politics?
BROOKE JOHNSON: Focus on how you can advance the business, not on how you can advance yourself. But don’t be shy. Ask questions, make suggestions, talk openly and directly to as many people as you can.

CFTM: How do you create a positive and healthy workplace environment?
BJ: If people feel that they and their ideas are respected, and respected enough to be given honest feedback, then all the brambles of time-wasting politics are cut back and you have a clear path to an effective organization.

CFTM: Give us an amusing or cringing anecdote about office politics.
BJ: Years ago when I was starting my career I was up for a promotion. But the boss asked me to step aside because my rival for the job (a man) was older and had children to support. Seems amazing, I know, but it happened. PS: I didn’t step aside.