Are You Being Political or Organizationally Savvy?

"I don't like politics. I won't be playing politics as my boss wants me to," said one of my clients. As an executive coach, I often hear leaders express their discomfort with playing politics in the workplace.?

These sentiments are echoed by many professionals encountering challenges in organizational dynamics, as highlighted in the following examples:

• "Why can't the leadership team agree on a solution? Someone is playing politics."
• "I don't understand why my boss delays decisions, hindering progress."
• "Decisions seem biased towards personal connections rather than idea quality."
• "She got a promotion because she knows how to play politics."
• "Favoritism over merit in promotions is exhausting."
• "Political maneuvering stalls new initiatives, prioritizing individual agendas over company interests."

Over the years, I have found these issues to be a recurring theme in developing effective leadership skills. Many individuals struggle to distinguish between being organizationally savvy and engaging in negative politics. This confusion can impede their ability to comprehend the organizational complexity, hindering effective navigation and influence.

In this article, we will delve deeper into these two concepts to clarify their definitions. I hope that by gaining clarity on organizational savvy and political behavior, you can reflect on your current approach and assess whether any misconceptions inhibit your growth in organizational savvy skills.

Understanding the Difference Between Organizational Savvy and Being Political

Let's define Organizational Savvy and Being Political to grasp their distinctions. While one enhances performance and impact, the other often acts as a barrier to career progression.

Organizational Savvy: The Positive Aspect

Organizational savvy is a crucial skill for any leader or professional aiming to succeed in a complex organizational environment.?

It involves:

• Awareness: Recognizing the informal norms, power dynamics, and unwritten rules that govern behavior within the organization.
• Effective Communication: Articulating your thoughts and intentions clearly and diplomatically to avoid misunderstandings and build trust.
• Strategic Decision-Making: Making choices that align with your goals and the organization's broader objectives.
• Influence: Building strong relationships and gaining support from colleagues, stakeholders, and decision-makers without causing unnecessary friction.

Being organizational savvy means you can navigate the complexities of your workplace smoothly, fostering collaboration and minimizing resistance. This approach builds trust and helps achieve collective success, ensuring that your actions align with the organizational culture and values.

Being Political: The Negative Connotation

Conversely, being political carries negative implications, including:

• Deception: Engaging in manipulative tactics.
• Self-Serving Behavior: Prioritizing personal interests over organizational welfare.
• Scheming: Advancing personal agendas at the expense of others.

AIHR shared that there are 5 types of organizational politics.?

Criticism about not being political may indicate a lack of organizational savvy rather than a call for unethical behavior. The aim should be to enhance organizational savvy while avoiding the negative political tactics listed above.

Why the Distinction Matters

Understanding the disparity between organizational savvy and negative politics is crucial for various reasons:

• Building Trust: Organizational savvy fosters transparency and trust, whereas negative politics erode trust.
• Achieving Goals: Organizational savvy facilitates goal attainment through cooperation.
• Positive Work Culture: Encouraging organizational savvy contributes to a positive work environment.

Ultimately, understanding this distinction will help you create more impact as an Effective Leader.?

Here are a few tips to help you get started in developing Organizational Savvy Skill

Consider these steps to practice in your daily life.

• Observe and Learn: Understand organizational dynamics, influential figures, and rewarded behaviors.
• Build Relationships: Cultivate genuine connections based on mutual respect and support.
• Communicate Effectively: Practice clear communication tailored to the right audience to foster understanding.
• Align Actions with Values: Ensure actions resonate with personal and organizational values to build trust.

Developing organizational savvy skills can empower effective navigation, trust-building, and goal achievement in the workplace. I hope you can now assess your own understanding and be open to embracing organizational savvy so you can lead with integrity and insight and effectively guide your team through challenges.?

If you have any questions or want to chat some more about this topic or navigating leadership, feel free to email me at [email protected].

I look forward to hearing your thoughts and insights on your Organizational Savvy.

Best,

Nannapat Sage

Your Leadership Navigation Partner & Cheif Reinvention Strategist