Political savvy, by whatever name you call it (organizational awareness, interpersonal astuteness, etc.) is a critical skill… but taken too far, it’s a problem.
Politician is also a label that we throw around far too easily when talking about others, and far too little when describing our own behavior, even when the shoe fits.
So without judgment (I have worked with many good people whose predominant style is the “politician”), here is what you need to know:
How to recognize Politicians:
- Appearances, including visible indicators of status, matter
- They talk about themselves often
- They are name droppers
- They are quick to take credit for ideas and slow to pony up to bad ideas
- They can appear inconsistent
- They focus narrowly on their agenda
- They focus on relationships
- They are flexible, but expect a quid pro quo
How to work with Politicians:
- Make them look good… offer to let them take credit for a successful outcome
- Shield them from potential blame
- No surprises!
- Emphasize the personal opportunities inherent in a proposal—the people on the committee they’ll meet, etc.
- Praise them publicly
- Send unsolicited praise for valid strengths to their boss and others in power
