Political Skills
Six Aspects of Political Skill
According to CCL's Jean Leslie, co-author of a research study on workplace politics and career derailment, here are six key skills to help develop your political savvy:
Number 1: Think before you speak. Politically skilled managers have impulse control. They tend to choose their organizational battles wisely and size up situations before deciding how to present ideas to others. Managers who actually consider whether or not to voice a thought or a feeling, and who are thoughtful about the timing and presentation of what they have to say, are less likely to derail their careers, Leslie says.
Number 2: Manage up - to a point. Leaders need to be able to skillfully communicate with their bosses, higher ups and so on. But political skill also involves maintaining good relationships with people at all levels in the organization. CCL's research shows that people who are especially skilled at "managing up" tend to put so much energy into their bosses' needs that they neglect leading their own teams.
Number 3: Practice influence. Effective influencers build stronger interpersonal relationships and have good rapport with others. Managers comfortable with their interpersonal power tend to have good judgment about when to assert themselves, which in turn results in more cooperative relationships. Skilled influencers are not always overtly political; they just play the political game fairly and effortlessly.
Number 4: Hone your powers of perception. Socially astute managers tend to be perceptive observers of others and of social situations. They comprehend social interaction, and in social settings they accurately interpret their own behavior as well as that of others. They have strong powers of discernment and high self-awareness.
Number 5: Learn to network. Effective networking goes well beyond passing out business cards or schmoozing. Leaders who possess a strong networking ability build friendships and beneficial working relationships by
According to CCL's Jean Leslie, co-author of a research study on workplace politics and career derailment, here are six key skills to help develop your political savvy:
Number 1: Think before you speak. Politically skilled managers have impulse control. They tend to choose their organizational battles wisely and size up situations before deciding how to present ideas to others. Managers who actually consider whether or not to voice a thought or a feeling, and who are thoughtful about the timing and presentation of what they have to say, are less likely to derail their careers, Leslie says.
Number 2: Manage up - to a point. Leaders need to be able to skillfully communicate with their bosses, higher ups and so on. But political skill also involves maintaining good relationships with people at all levels in the organization. CCL's research shows that people who are especially skilled at "managing up" tend to put so much energy into their bosses' needs that they neglect leading their own teams.
Number 3: Practice influence. Effective influencers build stronger interpersonal relationships and have good rapport with others. Managers comfortable with their interpersonal power tend to have good judgment about when to assert themselves, which in turn results in more cooperative relationships. Skilled influencers are not always overtly political; they just play the political game fairly and effortlessly.
Number 4: Hone your powers of perception. Socially astute managers tend to be perceptive observers of others and of social situations. They comprehend social interaction, and in social settings they accurately interpret their own behavior as well as that of others. They have strong powers of discernment and high self-awareness.
Number 5: Learn to network. Effective networking goes well beyond passing out business cards or schmoozing. Leaders who possess a strong networking ability build friendships and beneficial working relationships by