Political Savvy August 9, 2012 An Essential Skill for All Employees Julie Robbins Phil Griner

2 “Politics is the art of getting things done” Harry Truman

3 What is Political Savvy?  Totality of skills for successfully navigating political dynamics of an organization to accomplish one’s goals  Ethically building a critical mass of support for an idea you care about  Awareness of the culture and relationships within an organization

4 Why is Political Savvy Important?  Political savvy is necessary to:  Manage office politics and get things done  Protect oneself from other’s political tactics  Avoid political blunders  Position oneself for the future Technical skill alone is no longer enough to survive in today’s workplace

5 Who Needs to Be Politically Savvy? Political savvy has little to do with one’s place in the hierarchy…anyone can have political savvy regardless of position in the company ~ Joel DeLuca, Author of Politically Savvy  Leaders  Managers  Employees at all levels

6 What is Your Political Style? NegativeNeutralPositive Initiates MachiavellianResponsibleLeader  Manipulator  Looks out for #1  Obligation  Comes with territory  Play Maker  Impact player Predicts ProtectorSpeculatorAdvisor  File Builder  Defensive GrapevinerCounselor Responds CynicFatalistSpectator  I told you so  Gossip Que Sera Sera  Fan  Encourager Politics viewed as Action Orientation From “Political Savvy” by Joel DeLuca

7 What are the Characteristics of a Politically Savvy Person?  Uses intuition  Has focus and orientation towards goals  Uses relationship knowledge  Discusses controversial issues in non-offensive way  Manages impressions  Obtains support for one’s ideas  Knows when to follow chain of command  Acts friendly and social with co-workers  Supports boss  Avoids gossip  Uses organizational grapevine wisely

8 Exercise: What Does it Mean to be Politically Savvy at the IRS?  Split into three equal groups  Review the scenario on the note card and discuss/decide how a politically savvy person would act and respond (each group has a different scenario)  3 minutes to discuss and 3 minutes per group to report out and discuss

9 How do I Become Politically Savvy? Choose to become an active, ethical player  Put the organization first  Understand your own political style  Believe strongly in your change initiative  Play above-board  Avoid the moral and rational blocks Work the human system  Understand the culture  Identify the key players  Gauge power and influence  Assess relationships  Develop a strategy  Build momentum  Determine appropriate involvement level for each player  Employ interpersonal diplomacy  Anticipate and handle dissenters