Not everyone is looking out for your best interests. This is the hard reality of corporate life.

However, you can tip the scales in your favor when you get clear on who you are and the value you provide. What do you do well? What do you not like doing? What gets you excited and engaged when working with people or a client?

Early in my career, I was everything to everyone. And I was used as such. I could be plugged in anywhere to solve problems. This was useful for the people above me who were managing client relationships.

The moment that I developed the awareness that I could also manage clients and interact with C-suite executives, then my relationship with others in the office changed. I was suddenly a threat.

As I began to move up in the corporate structure I began to understand that relationships matter, especially in-person ones. It took time to get others to see that I was on their side and not going after their turf. Ultimately, I didn’t win everyone over and that’s ok.

As you are sorting out the new workplace dynamic, take account of yourself and what you want to be doing. It’ll help with carving out your niche in the office and affect how other people perceive what you are doing. Take care of yourself first, because other people likely aren’t looking out for you. They are managing themselves and where they are going.