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.