HiPerf Team Coaching 1 HiPerf, Inc. Helping you bridge the gap between strategy and success 5416 Edenfield Drive Kernersville, NC Copyright 2009 by HiPerf Inc. - For Office of Administration internal use only

Political Savvy Copyright 2009 by HiPerf Inc. - For Office of Administration internal use only 2

3 ? “Being Political” vs. having “political savvy”

“ Being political” vs. having “political savvy” Copyright 2009 by HiPerf Inc. - For Office of Administration internal use only 4 Being a “Political Animal or Operator” can mean: Motivated by own agenda Primary goal is to advance own career Seeks out people in a position of influence to advance own position Works the crowd with clear career objective in mind Chooses high-visibility projects Employees are merely a means to the end Micromanages, assumes credit for work of others Having Political Savvy or being Political Astute can mean: Capable of adapting one’s style, tactics and skills to get done what needs to be done Knows the organization and is focused on what is right for the organization Willing to help others look good Treats people with respect, supporting those who are working for the same objective Ensuring that the influence ones are active participants in key decisions Knows who the people “who get things done” Analyzes each situation and each person Uses multiple approaches to making things work Anticipates where the land mines are and plans approach accordingly

Learning Objectives Copyright 2009 by HiPerf Inc. - For Office of Administration internal use only 5 Build an awareness that organizations are politically complex Recognize the importance of navigating successfully in that environment Discuss how to anticipate and respond appropriately Identify ways to expand one’s sphere of influence for the good of the overall organization

Key Elements of Political Savvy Copyright 2009 by HiPerf Inc. - For Office of Administration internal use only 6 Be Business Smart – ethical positive politics is political savvy Build a network of relationships to achieve common goals Achieve organizational effectiveness and reach individual success at same time

Political Savvy is: Copyright 2009 by HiPerf Inc. - For Office of Administration internal use only 7 Building influence through relationships and results Perceiving organizational and political reality and acting accordingly Having a positive impact on organizational and personal effectiveness Modeling leadership

Politics and “Political” Sound Negative Copyright 2009 by HiPerf Inc. - For Office of Administration internal use only 8 Impact of negative organizational politics Internal competition Friction Turf wars Silos Reduced motivation to achieve organizational goals “…in corporate America that negative politics reduces productivity, collaborative spirit and appropriate career outcomes by greater than 30%. And, in times of change, it can result in inappropriate choices in strategic direction, products, markets, projects, and people for the situation up to and greater than 50% of the time.” - Oct. 15, (Dealing with Negative Politics)

Expanding Your Sphere of Influence Copyright 2009 by HiPerf Inc. - For Office of Administration internal use only 9 Who do you know Your Directorate Other Major Directorates Other geographical locations Agency/ Department Higher grade than me Same grade or about the same as me Lower grade than me Source: Joan Lloyd, The Business Journal of Milwaukee

Key Concepts Copyright 2009 by HiPerf Inc. - For Office of Administration internal use only 10 Developing political savvy is a tool for: Building effective relationships and work products Going beyond merely what you know to whom you know and who knows you Managing organizational change Creating synergy for the “greater good” Encouraging ethical behavior and stewardship

Next Steps Copyright 2009 by HiPerf Inc. - For Office of Administration internal use only 11 What? So What? Now What?

Related Information and Resources Copyright 2009 by HiPerf Inc. - For Office of Administration internal use only 12 Political Savvy: Systematic Approaches to Leadership Behind the Scenes by Joel R. DeLuca, Ph.D. The Career Decisions Planner: When to Move, When to Stay and When to Go Out on Your Own, by Joan Lloyd This topic is related to additional HiPerf, Inc. Team Coaching topics such as Emotional/Social Intelligence or Effectiveness, Feedback, Conflict Management and Communications