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10.13007/091
Ideas for Leaders #091
How Women Can Be More Politically Savvyat Work
Key Concept
Most of us have witnessed or participated of officepolitics at some point in our careers. What do you doin such a situation? Do you embrace it or avoid it? ThisIdea shows that contrary to the popular opinion thatoffice politics is ‘bad’, politically savvy executivesactually excel in their careers and make effectiveleaders.
Idea Summary
Is organizational politics good or bad, or does it evenexist? This seems to be a debated topic, with manyexecutives (especially women) finding office politicsdifficult to embrace. Female executives seem to beparticularly uncomfortable with incorporating politicalskills/behaviours into their repertoire. But it’s not justfemales that view politics negatively; in general,political behaviour tends to be viewed as self-serving,and even at times akin to bullying.
But what if engaging in politically savvy behaviourcould actually help you be more effective in your role,and help to build the capacity to lead an organization?According to this Idea, this is in fact the case.
Politics is neither good nor bad; rather, it is a neutraland natural part of organizational life. Rather thanavoid or ignore it, politically savvy individuals can usetheir influence in an authentic and sincere manner.Ultimately, all the parties involved will get somethingpositive out of this.
CCL® surveyed 334 participants in its LeadershipDevelopment Programs and Women’s LeadershipPrograms in 2004–05. They found that those who are‘politically savvy’ have better career prospects andtrajectories, and are seen as more promotable. Inparticular, the following behaviours seem to varyaccording to how politically savvy an individual is:
the ability to build collaborative relationships;
composure;
ShareAuthors
Leslie, Jean BrittainGentry, William A.
Institutions
Center for Creative Leadership (CCL®)
Source
CCL® White Paper
Idea conceived
2012
Idea posted
February 2013
DOI number
Subject
Senior LeadersInterpersonal SkillsLeadershipNetworkingCareer DevelopmentOrganizational Behaviour
2/24/2015 How Women Can Be More Politically Savvy at Work | Ideas for Leaders
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putting people at ease; and
career management.
Despite all the positive information on politics, itremains a fact that female executives are still lesslikely than male executives to find themselves insituations where opportunities for promotion, accessto mentors and encouragement to take risks exists.These unique barriers make it more critical than everfor them to embrace and develop political savvy skills.
Business Application
So what are politically-savvy skills should executiveswork to bring out in order to ensure effectiveness inany political environment? The following fourapproaches are recommended:
1. Network: connect with influential individuals, which can help yougain access to important information from key insiders. Simplyobserving and modelling these individuals can also help youbecome more effective. Similarly, building mentoring relationshipscan also be helpful.
2. Scan your environment: be in the moment. Strive to be aperceptive observer that can adapt behaviour to reflect changingconditions. Consider how others feel in a situation and payattention to your own feelings and reactions as well.
3. Think before you act: control your impulses. That means forgetabout telling that inappropriate joke! Put people at ease by taking adeep breath and stepping back. This means, take the time to thinkthrough what will happen if you behave a certain way.
4. Inspire trust: behave genuinely and exhibit honesty and sincerity.Small things like making eye contact to show you are listening canmake a big difference. Follow through and do what you say will youdo. Above all, keep confidences and avoid gossiping at all costs!
License Notice
This content is provided free-to-accessfor your own personal research,development and private study.
A license must be acquired for use byorganizations, for employee developmentor as a learning resource. To purchase alicense and learn about other partnerbenefits contact us.
Standard terms and conditions apply.
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References
Women and Political Savvy: How to Build andEmbrace a Fundamental Leadership Skill.JeanBrittain Lesly & William A. Gentry. CCL® WhitePaper (2012)
Center for Creative Leadership Leadership ToolsEMEA
2/24/2015 How Women Can Be More Politically Savvy at Work | Ideas for Leaders
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Strategies of Players and Purists
A Lower Voice Can Take You Higher Upthe Leadership Ladder
Why Leaders Sabotage Their OwnTeams
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Further Reading and Relevant Resources
Jean Brittain Leslie’s profile at CCL®
William A. Gentry’s profile at CCL®
Center for Creative Leadership (CCL®)'s profile on IEDP
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