Like it or not, politics is part of the PM job. Here's how data-driven PMs win anyway: I've had to relearn this every few years. Like you, I dislike this part of the job. But the best data in the room loses to whoever had the 1:1 first. Here's the system that finally stuck: 1) Map the invisible org chart The real org chart shows influence. It's never the one in Workday. Find the senior staff engineer whose opinion moves every decision. The chief of staff who knows where the CEO is focused…