Evan Carmichael Top Header about About About facebook Twitter YouTube Google+

Workplace Etiquette: The Political Savvy Individual



Free PDF Download
Tis the Season for Social Events at the Office - By Dia Sutton

Name: Email:


Workplace Etiquette: The Political Savvy Individual


To be successful in today’s evolving workplace, you need talent, hard work, good job performance, a share of good breaks as well as political savvy. Political Savvy means ethically using office politics to your advantage. To some office politics means deceit, deception, and selfishness. However think of political savvy as the ability to practice sensible and ethical office politics.

At one time, it was assumed that office politics were played primarily by supervisors and managers who were attempting to climb the ladder of success, and executives who were still either climbing or trying to maintain. Not only are office politics tougher today, but the stakes are at their highest. In an era of organizations trimming down to reduce costs, corporate takeovers, downsizings, and mergers the use of political savvy is needed for survival.

Office Politics are played to obtain power – the ability to control people or resources, or to get others to do things you want done. Understand that office politics are omnipresent – every where – all the time.

People who understand and use office politics to their advantage are much likely to succeed than their politically naïve counterparts. Therefore, to gain a competitive edge you need more political skill and knowledge. To ignore office politics is to ignore those underlying forces that account for the success between equally talented people.

Let’s Start With Some Definitions

Political – the use of strategy or intrigue in obtaining power, control or status; to deal with people in an opportunistic or manipulative way, as for job advancement.
- Random House Webster’s College Dictionary

Savvy – understanding, knowing how, shrewdness
- Webster’s New Century Dictionary

Ethical – being in accordance with the rules or standards for right conduct or practice
(the body of moral principles and values held by or governing a culture, group, or individual); conforming to the principles of proper conduct, as established by society.
- Webster’s New Century Dictionary

Think of political savvy as a practical understanding or shrewdness of how people operate on the job including the strategies and motives involved. Think of office politics as the subtle and informal methods of gaining power or a competitive edge.





Characteristics of a Political Savvy Individual

- Chooses to become an active, ethical player
- Believes in and cares about the issue at hand
- Plays above board
- Legitimizes the task; avoids the political blind spot
- Uses power to get things done
- Spreads the credit
- Is an effective team player

For Federal employees political savvy is listed under the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Executive Core Qualification of Building Coalitions/Communication. As a leadership competency it identifies behaviors such as:

- Keeping current with internal and external political and issues that impact
the work of the organization
- Approaching problems with a clear perception of organizational and
political reality
- Anticipating the internal and external implications of statements and
Actions
- Recognizing the impact of alternative courses of action
- Considering political and organizational reality, the media and special
interests in decision making.

There are fundamental reasons as to why people politic. Knowing these reasons can help you in developing your political savvy or when it is likely that others will be using political tactics to win or discredit you.


Related Articles

  Political Savvy 101
  Poltical Savvy and Employees
  Politcal Savvy Tips for Work
  BUSINESS ETIQUETTE
  Political Savvy for the Average Employee
  More on Political Savvy - Where Do You Stand?
  Is My Time More Valuable Than Yours?
  “Powerful Business Etiquette Tips From Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach”
  Political Savvy and Office Politics
  Three Business Etiquette Tips You Absolutely Must Know In Network Marketing
  Dressing for Success - What Not to Do!!!
  “Strategic Business Tips On How To Achieve Civility In Today’s Workplace, From Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach”
  Stop Workplace Drama – Start Understanding Conflict (Tip #7)
  Email Etiquette - Part 1
  Addressing Political Activism in the Workplace
  Stopping Workplace Drama: Navigating Tough Conversations (Tip #70)
  Taboo Topics: Talking Politics in the Office
  Workplace Motivation: 4 Unique Ways to Inspire Your Employees (Tip #12)
  Workplace Drama (Tip #57)
  The Motown Etiquette and Style Coach Maxine Powell

Home > Human-Resources > Dia Sutton > Workplace Etiquette The Political Savvy Individual >

Free PDF Download
Tis the Season for Social Events at the Office - By Dia Sutton

Name: Email:

About the Author: Dia Sutton

RSS for Dia's articles - Visit Dia's website

Dianne Floyd Sutton is President of Sutton Enterprises, author, trainer, educator, expert witness, coach and actor. She has over twenty years of combined experience in Human Resource Development (HRD) processes, Diversity, Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), and Communication training.  Sutton Enterprises (SE) is a full service human resource development organization which offers a variety of Human Resource Development (HRD)services, i.e. training, keynotes, facilitations, EEO interventions, organizational development, etc.  For more information about SE go to www.suttonenterprises.org

Dianne Sutton has the skills to create a safe learning environment where diverse participants are able to ask questions, experiment with new behaviors and development new skills. She also has the ability to present models and techniques in a straight forward, clear and humorous manner.  She started her career as a mathematics instructor in the St. Louis, Missouri Public School System while attending graduate school at Washington University. Before founding Sutton Enterprises in 1987, she held a variety of positions at the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in training and employee development.

Her most recent publication is Workplace Etiquette: A Guide to Thriving and Surviving in Today’s Workplace.  In 2010 Dianne was awarded the Spencer Logan Leadership Award from the Training Officers Consortium (TOC) in Washington, DC.  This is the organization's highest honor.  For more information go to www.trainingofficers.org

Dianne is on a civility crusade as Ms. Etiquette Ms. Etiquette offers a down-to-earth, in-depth presentation peppered with real life examples and appropriate humor.  She demystifies the rules and gives insights into behaviors that increase respect, collaboration and trust in the workplace.  Check out Ask Ms. Etiquette for answers to questions about appropriate etiquette in the workplace at www.suttonenterprises.org


Click here to visit Dia's website.
Dashed Line

More from Dia Sutton
What I Learned About Leadership as an ANC Commissioner
The Four Bs of Dress in Todays Workplace
Boob Envy I Dont Think So
Politcal Savvy Tips for Work
Political Savvy 101

Related Forum Posts

Hark work, individual talent and luck Hark work, individual talent and luck
Re: The State of Marketing - 2011. An infographic. Re: The State of Marketing - 2011. An infographic.
Workplace Warrior: Insights and advice for winning on the co Workplace Warrior: Insights and advice for winning on the co
Books for Women Entrepreneurs Books for Women Entrepreneurs

Share this article. Fund someone's dream.

Share this post and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.
Share for a Cause
Featured Expert



Worksheets
By: Evan Carmichael

Do you have what it takes to be an entrepreneur?

8 Powerful Steps to Finding Your Passion

Does your pitch suck?

Create a plan of attach to launch your new business.

8-Cover

Like this page? PLEASE +1 it! Evan Signature
Bottom Footer



Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!
Name:
Email:
Popular Articles

Time for Self

Tips for the Novice Traveler

Selling with Humor (and a Sorry Butt)

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.