CallCenterVet
Jun 10, 2007, 08:17 PM
Politics has been given such a bad name in the call centers. But what really is politics? Does it mean: Sucking up to bosses? Turning people against some people? Spreading rumors against somebody? Ignoring achievements? Playing favorites?
The answer is a big NO! The People who think that the list above is exactly what politics in the workplace is is dead wrong! And is a victim of their own perception. This is a touchy subject. But I have been looking for this opportunity to discuss this topic for a long while.
Read this excerpt to find out what politics is... in any workplace setting. For those seeking to understand and use politics... this is for you. Feedbacks are welcome!
http://www.ccl.org/leadership/enewsletter/2007/APRimprove.aspx
Political Skill: Leaders Need to Have it
Improve Your Political Skill
Political skill may be a natural, or intuitive, trait for some; for others it feels uncomfortable and takes great effort. In either case, political skill must be practiced and honed in order to reap its benefits.
CCL researchers Bill Gentry and Jean Leslie, along with Gerald Ferris, and co-author of Political Skill at Work, offer a range of strategies to improve your political skill.
Seek feedback. Self-awareness is the first step to being political savvy, says Leslie. "By understanding your personality and getting a good picture of your behavior, you'll be able to see how you respond in various circumstances and to different people," she explains. "You can identify skills and behaviors that contribute to your political skill and see what you are doing that prevents or undermines your political effectiveness." Routine feedback and evaluation sessions with bosses, peers, subordinates, customers and others will also help you gauge how well you are developing politically.
Learn your environment. Each organization has its own political climate, adds Gentry. Political skill is played out in your specific context. Get to know the formal and informal systems and limits of the organization. Then begin to figure out when and how to work within that environment.
Listen. Ferris says good listeners are able to read and understand a situation — essential for knowing how to respond as a leader. Techniques of active listening - paying attention, holding judgment, reflecting, clarifying, summarizing and sharing — can be learned and practiced. Be sure to pay attention to nonverbal cues as well.
Turn it around. Politically skilled leaders look beyond their own idea or need. Consider another person's situation, suggests Ferris. "What can you give them? Understand why your request might affect them negatively. Find a way to appeal to the common good."
Activate your network. Draw on the knowledge and resources of others — and offer your own. Be a broker of ideas and information — don't just use your relationships when you need something. Find ways to work across organizational boundaries: Bring people from outside your group into meetings or ask for their ideas — and do the same for them. Don't wait until a problem arises to look for common concerns and interests.
Learn influencing tactics. "Colleagues at CCL describe influencing as making appeals based on logic, emotion or sense of cooperation. The most effective influencers know how to utilize all three approaches," notes Leslie.
Seek out training. Leadership training and team training can improve your ability to build and maintain relationships, manage conflict and work collaboratively, says Gentry. Other specific skills, such as public speaking or communication techniques, can also be helpful. Drama-based training, according to Ferris, can help leaders, too: "You learn emotional regulation and control, recognition and response to nonverbal cues, management of tone of voice and so forth."
Find a guide. A coach or mentor can help you make sense of feedback and help you structure your learning agenda. Whether your mentor or coach works in your organization or is external, he or she can help you spot dynamics or situations that are politically charged.
The answer is a big NO! The People who think that the list above is exactly what politics in the workplace is is dead wrong! And is a victim of their own perception. This is a touchy subject. But I have been looking for this opportunity to discuss this topic for a long while.
Read this excerpt to find out what politics is... in any workplace setting. For those seeking to understand and use politics... this is for you. Feedbacks are welcome!
http://www.ccl.org/leadership/enewsletter/2007/APRimprove.aspx
Political Skill: Leaders Need to Have it
Improve Your Political Skill
Political skill may be a natural, or intuitive, trait for some; for others it feels uncomfortable and takes great effort. In either case, political skill must be practiced and honed in order to reap its benefits.
CCL researchers Bill Gentry and Jean Leslie, along with Gerald Ferris, and co-author of Political Skill at Work, offer a range of strategies to improve your political skill.
Seek feedback. Self-awareness is the first step to being political savvy, says Leslie. "By understanding your personality and getting a good picture of your behavior, you'll be able to see how you respond in various circumstances and to different people," she explains. "You can identify skills and behaviors that contribute to your political skill and see what you are doing that prevents or undermines your political effectiveness." Routine feedback and evaluation sessions with bosses, peers, subordinates, customers and others will also help you gauge how well you are developing politically.
Learn your environment. Each organization has its own political climate, adds Gentry. Political skill is played out in your specific context. Get to know the formal and informal systems and limits of the organization. Then begin to figure out when and how to work within that environment.
Listen. Ferris says good listeners are able to read and understand a situation — essential for knowing how to respond as a leader. Techniques of active listening - paying attention, holding judgment, reflecting, clarifying, summarizing and sharing — can be learned and practiced. Be sure to pay attention to nonverbal cues as well.
Turn it around. Politically skilled leaders look beyond their own idea or need. Consider another person's situation, suggests Ferris. "What can you give them? Understand why your request might affect them negatively. Find a way to appeal to the common good."
Activate your network. Draw on the knowledge and resources of others — and offer your own. Be a broker of ideas and information — don't just use your relationships when you need something. Find ways to work across organizational boundaries: Bring people from outside your group into meetings or ask for their ideas — and do the same for them. Don't wait until a problem arises to look for common concerns and interests.
Learn influencing tactics. "Colleagues at CCL describe influencing as making appeals based on logic, emotion or sense of cooperation. The most effective influencers know how to utilize all three approaches," notes Leslie.
Seek out training. Leadership training and team training can improve your ability to build and maintain relationships, manage conflict and work collaboratively, says Gentry. Other specific skills, such as public speaking or communication techniques, can also be helpful. Drama-based training, according to Ferris, can help leaders, too: "You learn emotional regulation and control, recognition and response to nonverbal cues, management of tone of voice and so forth."
Find a guide. A coach or mentor can help you make sense of feedback and help you structure your learning agenda. Whether your mentor or coach works in your organization or is external, he or she can help you spot dynamics or situations that are politically charged.