Five Secrets of the Politically Savvy

Whether we like it or not, reading the political realities of an organisation is crucial for effective influence and leadership.  Rich social acumen, reading key power relationships and maintaining and sustaining positive, high-energy and focused networks, no matter what your professional role, are a must for strong leadership. 

Superior performers share a profound appreciation of the under-the-radar world while mediocre performers are generally blind to its presence, blundering along and wondering what just happened!   

The former are what is known as ‘politically savvy’.  They know what’s going on and have a sixth sense when it comes to understanding the dynamics that underpin the actions taken by bosses, colleagues and direct reports.

What may be surprising to some is that political awareness is indeed an ‘emotional intelligence competency’. 

Political savvy people have the ability to:

·    read situations objectively, which takes enormous amounts of emotional self-management; 

·    suspend judgement and recognise and question their own biases and assumptions;

·    encourage contradictory points of view or interests, which requires exceptional political astuteness and awareness;

·    distance themselves just enough to get perspective, suspending their own emotional attachment to occurrences; and

·    balance the countless perspectives of colleagues, bosses, staff, stakeholders, etc., to reach an outcome or goal that respects the agency of each party.

Being scornful or ignorant of organisational politics is a liability.

Operating with self-awareness and political nous matters.  It allows you to influence the right people, in the right way, at the right time.