A good article.
Here is a sentence I often use “I’m working for the company and its customers! And you, Who are you working for?”.
I do hate people playing political games instead of focusing on producing added value. I like to use diplomacy sometimes but my main weapons are facts and constructive arguments.
Never hesitate to ask clearly to someone what are his motivations when you feel the discussion enters a political, often defensive, mode.
You can influence people by helping them to make their own mind and that’s how you can make sure you’ll be working with true partners/collaborators.
If you use politics to get someone to follow you don’t be surprise when discovering later that you now have an Alien* on board (*refering to the movie of the same name).