Although political savvy is a crucial leadership skill, too few organizations build on it. While organizations invest heavily in leadership development and executive coaching, too little time is spent teaching politics and power. Despite this, power and politics is deeply and broadly embedded into nearly every competency framework.
Take a look at Lominger or Emotional Quotient. In the Lominger competency framework, Political Savvy lists at number 48 on the 67 competency list. “A savvy manager can navigate complex political situations effectively and quietly.”
Quietly? What does that mean: don’t tell anyone?
In Goleman’s book, Working With Emotional Intelligence political awareness is touted. “The ability to read political realities is vital to the behind the scenes networking and coalition building that allows someone to wield influence, no matter what the professional role. Mediocre performers lack such social acumen…”
If mediocre performers lack social acumen, is it because we don’t talk about building savvy? I think it is.
Action Step
Instead of shouting your dislike of politics and dismissing its power, ensure that everyone in your realm is equipped to understand and embrace it. The pitfalls of being unaware of politics create a significant impact on talent retention and engagement.
The answer: Build a savvy work force; retain savvy talent to drive stellar performance.
