How could you avoid office politics?

I strongly believe that there is no ways to avoid office politics other than being honest to your work, colleagues and the organisation. Some people wish to climb the ladder of success by unwanted means whereas we should only let our work do the talking. Office politics should not become a hindrance to one's work and if that is the case then the issue can be raised to higher authority.

Why avoid? I'd raher say it should be strictly maintained at the right pace so to let there be a healthy competition.

Competition is the scope for improvement.

Politics in the organizations, is unavoidable. It is everywhere, even in a group. It is a matter of us on how we react to the situation. 

The less you care, just perform and focus on your aim, the better. They can be irritable most of the time but ignoring them is the most powerful way to avoid office politics. 

Office Policts I agree  with some of my fellow HR mates who have answered here is unavoidable, but oneself should not encourage or contribute  in it. Nurturing a culture of trust  and  trhuthfulness  will  help a lot in making  office  policts into almost a negligent stage.

I haven’t worked yet as an employee but I was trained in an organization which followed two management educational and non-educational under the same school.  There was office politics and teams.  It is bad because it affect the organization environment therefore, affect its performance.  These kind of politics only increase bad competition and less concentration on the quality of the task done or the honesty of the employee.  It also shift organization’s goal from satisfying customers to competing with one another.  All of this could lead affect organization reputation, increase employee turnover, which could lead to decrease in profit. 

Be honest and professional in every deal in the office.

Just concentrate your work and avoid gossips

Office politics cannot be avoided. What is important is not to entertain it.  Office politics can be stressful and if you are personally affected can impact one's performance.  As an HR professional I have always dealt with these types of issues immediately. Simple office politics can be dealt with easily and head-on in order for these types of issues not to linger.  The office politics which has to do with management is slightly more difficult and taxing. If it does not involve you then dont get involved and make it your problem.  

There is no formula to avoid office politics. The best way to tackle office politcs is to keep yourself engaged in quality work and keep it informed at each moment to your Reporting Manager. Avoid unwanted gossips and maintain a clear decoram within office premises. 

By minding our own business and not interfering in others matters we can be protected from office Politics. 

Maintaining a hands-on Professional attitude towards the deliverables that keeps one engaged mostly besides managing the work balance quotient within the office socio environment by avoiding - Loose Talk / rumour mongering, Favouritism amongst colleagues, siddling up to seniors, carrying tales to boast one's know-tow whilst maintaining general bonhomie and reach-out perhaps are some of the the key facets that will hold anyone in good stead.However,there are no established sacrosancts in organisational behaviour and hence evolving as per situation with tact helps one stay clear from getting embroiled in office politics.Companies that recruit based on established job requistes,spell out KRA's on joining with good induction procedures,well set man management and training initiatives, transparent performance mangement systems and an open ended greivance redress mechanism are often the ones taht extract the very best out of thier employees and vice-versa!