Political Savvy

For the past two weeks, I’ve been watching the Republican and Democratic National Conventions. For many people, this is just political theater—a lot of hoopla with too much empty rhetoric—as most of us have already made up our minds about who to vote for anyway. No matter which candidate you endorse, you may be feeling a bit cynical about the political process with so much pandering, vague promises, and negative ads by both parties.

But are there any positive takeaways from the political process that we can apply to our workplace? Most of us abhor the worst aspects of ‘office politics’—the gossip, the back-stabbing, and the factionalism—that can undermine the health and spirit of a company’s culture. But there are many business professionals who, by being politically astute, can navigate the politics of an organization and get work accomplished successfully without leaving a trail of bruised and bloodied bodies.

The Leadership Architect collection by Lominger Limited, Inc. identifies political savvy as one of 67 important leadership competencies for success. A politically-savvy leader, as defined by Lominger:

• Can maneuver through complex political situations effectively and quietly;
• Is sensitive to how people and organizations function;
• Can anticipate where the land mines are and plan his/her approach accordingly;
• Views corporate politics as a necessary part of organizational life and work to adjust to that reality.

People who are skilled politically know how to build relationships and strong bonds of trust within their organization. They can reach out to the right resources and engage others in bringing about a needed change. They work well with staff as well as line resources to produce the necessary results.

These politically-astute professionals are trusted because they are true to their word and deliver on their promises. They demonstrate integrity in everything that they do. They are not seen as manipulative or phony, as their public face consistently matches their private face. Their actions are congruent with their words. They are comfortable with all levels of the organization, from senior management to front-line employees, and are respected for their character as well as their business results.

Politically-savvy individuals know that values are important to people as well as to a company. They can connect with the hearts and the minds of employees, and know what messages are most important to communicate. They understand that every decision cannot always be popular, and convey their decisions so that others understand the rationale and big picture behind those decisions.

Politically-savvy leaders respect diversity—including diversity of thought, of opinion, and of perspective. They know how to ‘reach across the aisle’ and come up with workable solutions to problems. Compromise and collaboration are not seen as weaknesses, but viable methods of moving a project forward.

There is certainly a negative side to politics; however, this does not have to be the case in your organization. Similar to the most successful and time-honored politicians in our American history, you can practice the positive political attributes of inclusion, integrity, and impartiality within your own workplace.