Chapter 12

Positive Political Skills

Organizational Politics

refers to gaining power through any means other than merit or luck

Power

refers to the ability or potential to control anything of value and to influence decisions

Political Tactics Power

Control and Influence

POLITICAL SKILL AND SOCIAL INTELLIGENCE

Social intelligence deals with how relationships shape our brains and affect our bodies.

Good relationships energize us to perform well.

Bad relationships hurt our cognitive efficiency and creativity.

Being arrogant impairs learning clear thinking.

POLITICAL SKILL AND SOCIAL INTELLIGENCE

Social intelligence deals with how relationships shape our brains and affect our bodies.

Good relationships energize us to perform well.

Bad relationships hurt our cognitive efficiency and creativity.

Being arrogant impairs learning clear thinking.

IMPRESSION MANAGEMENT

Impression management is a set of behaviors to enhance one’s image by drawing attention to oneself.You are urged to be yourself, not create a false image.

Avoid creating a negative impression through such means as absenteeism or speaking poorly.

TACTICS OF IMPRESSION MANAGEMENT

Build trust and confidence. Be visible and create a strong

presence. Admit mistakes. Minimize being a yes person. Create a healthy image.You need good political skill to

manage your impression well.

WHY STUDY ETIQUETTE?

Points way toward refined and acceptable behavior.

Using proper etiquette contributes to individual and business success.

Helps you present yourself with the kind of polish that shows you can be taken seriously.

Might give you competitive advantage.

KEY AREAS OF BUSINESS ETIQUETTE

Etiquette for work behavior and clothing

Introductions of people Relationship between men and

women and people of different ages Use of wire and cell phones Dining

KEY AREAS OF BUSINESS ETIQUETTE, continued.

E-mail, instant messaging, and text-by-phone correspondence

Use of electronic devices other than phones

Working in a cubicle Cross-cultural relations Interaction with people with

disabilities

ETIQUETTE FOR WORK BEHAVIOR AND CLOTHING

Work behavior includes completing work on time, punctuality, being a good team player, listening, and following through.

Size up the situation for proper clothing, but remember that casual does not mean sloppy or dirty.

INTRODUCTIONS

Present lower ranking person to higher ranking person. (Mention higher-ranking person’s name first.)

Provide a little information about the person being introduced.

Remember people’s names and pronounce them correctly.

Extend right hand, shake firmly, and establish eye contact.

MEN AND WOMEN, PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT AGES

Business etiquette is based on equal treatment for all.

Person in lead holds door open. Man follows woman on escalator but

precedes her on stairs. Treat elders with respect yet equally. Avoid touching except for

handshakes.

WIRE AND CELL PHONES

Answer phone by third ring. Identify your company, department,

and self. Do not annoy or irritate others with

your cell phone by disturbing their tranquility.

Do not answer cell phone while talking to customers or your manager.

E-MAIL, IM, AND TEXT MESSAGES

The way you send message tells something about yourself.

Proofread e-mails, limit to one screen.

Extreme informality for business correspondence is poor etiquette.

Managers should not intrude on workers through IM unless urgent.

CUBICLE ETIQUETTE

Challenge is that your everyday work behavior can be readily observed.

Speak low enough so phone conversations do not annoy others or reveal confidential information.

Watch what you put on your monitor. Do not take care of personal hygiene at

your desk.

POSITIVE POLITICS AND CAREER SUCCESS

ImpressionManagementand Etiquette

RelationshipBuilding

Avoiding PoliticalBlunders

More Polished Professional

Worker

RELATIONSHIPS WITH MANAGERS AND OTHER KEY PEOPLE

1. Network with influential people.2. Help your manager succeed.3. Understand unwritten boundaries.4. Volunteer for assignments.5. Flatter influential people sensibly.6. Use information power (hard-to-get

knowledge).

RELATIONSHIPS WITH MANAGERS AND OTHER KEY PEOPLE, continued

7. Appear cool under pressure.8. Laugh at your manager’s humor.9. Express constructive disagreement.

Before effectively using the tactics for developing a positive relationship with a boss, some people need to overcome their inhibitions about performing well around a superior.

IDEAS FOR NETWORKING WITH KEY PEOPLE

Must gain trust and confidence of the influential people in network.

Must identify who power players are. Contact people on your list periodically. Must have sensible reason to contact

people in your network. Be clear and concise about your needs. Explain benefits you are offering.

RELATIONSHIPS WITH COWORKERS AND OTHER WORK ASSOCIATES

1. Maintain honest and open relationships.2. Make others feel important.3. Be diplomatic.4. Exchange favors.5. Ask advice.6. Share constructive gossip.7. Minimize microinequities (unintended

slights).8. Follow group norms.

AVOIDING POLITICAL BLUNDERS

1. Criticizing your manager in a public forum.

2. Bypassing the manager.

3. Displaying disloyalty.

4. Being a pest.

5. Being (or perceived as) a poor team player.

6. Burning your bridges.

7. Indiscreet behavior in private life.