Ten Things to Know About Political Savvy
Presented by Dianne Floyd Sutton
Political Savvy, is it self-serving? Yes, but there's nothing wrong with that. If you are going to make a difference, you need to have power.
1. The two keywords are ethical influence.
2. You have been practicing political savvy since your childhood.
3. Your image counts – Identify and refine your brand. Act like your cell phone is checking you out 24/7 - Identify your values – they will be questioned?
4. Understand power is not good or bad…it’s how it is used. Identify your values – they will be questioned? What is important to you?
5. Be sure to wag your tail. Practice subtle self-promotion. No one can appreciate you if they don’t know what you are doing. Share information without being obnoxious.
6. Understand the organization's cultures - Identify the unwritten rules by observing and asking questions.
7. Identify and observe the power dynamics in and out of your organization – Identify who the power players, team players, and mavericks – Who is in and who is out?
8. Pick Your Battles - Do you want to be right, or do you want to be effective?
9. You are not dealing with just one generation, listen and be flexible
10. A little bit of savvy is a sensible strategy even if you choose not to “play the game”… at the very least, learn the rules and be an informed spectator
“Politics is not good or bad: it’s neutral and natural.”
Politics is not a zero-sum game; being politically savvy does not mean that someone else has to lose for you to win. Politics is not about being false; instead, political savvy is about using your skills, behaviors, and qualities to be effective, and sincerity is vital.”
~ The Center for Creative Leadership
Identify and observe the power dynamics in your organization
Politically savvy people understand the organizational culture, each group's roles, and responsibilities, and know who the key influencers are in each area.
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