WELCOME TO ...
Organizational Savvy
Prework Reading: September 17th Webinar
OVERVIEW. This September 17th leadership development session is a 90-minute Organizational Savvy
webinar, based on the popular 2-day workshop course of the same name.
This fast-paced session is specially designed to help IIBA® professionals and leaders to understand and accept
the inevitable politics in any company, turn politics into a positive rather than negative force, identify and adapt
to various political styles, and apply ethical political tactics in the increasingly demanding and complex climate
of today’s business world.
IMPORTANT ACTION ITEMS. Our tight time frame on September 17th has led your planning team to request
this essential preparation. While you should definitely still attend even if you cannot invest this 45 minutes of
preparation, this assignment help us maximize the brief time we’ll have for this intriguing, provocative topic.
1. Session Learning Goals (15 min.). This page orients you to our hoped for outcomes on September 17th.
2. Political Styles Reading & Activity (35 min.). The accompanying 4-page article and Style Strengths Finder
Checklist will help you determine your own “Political Style.” You’ll learn to recognize two styles for navigating
organizational politics with integrity. This article gives you the necessary groundwork for understanding the
Organizational Savvy model.
3. Organizational Savvy Self-Assessment (40 min.). Please complete this 65-item screening instrument by linking
to www.survivalofthesavvy.com/assessment and using the special password of iiba0917. Fill out the survey
questions about your skill level, hit “SUBMIT,” and immediately download a robust Scoring and Interpretation Report.
Please bring the report with you to the July 17th webinar. Page 4 has a Summary Profile Graph of y our skills that
we’ll discuss, but feel free to peruse the rest of the document’s practical recommendations based upon your skills.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU DURING THIS EXCITING SESSION!
rev. 8-14-2013
Prework #1
for IIBA
Webinar Learning Goals
Background
This 90-minute session helps leaders, managers, and
professionals improve their strategic influence,
results, and career growth by mastering ethical
politics within the demanding, competitive, and
volatile climate of today’s corporate and agency life.
Key Definition This course defines “organizational politics”
as: “the informal, unofficial, and sometimes
behind-the-scenes efforts to gain influence,
sell ideas, impact the organization, increase
power, or achieve other targeted ends.”
An Ethical Politics “Wake-Up Call” (15 minutes)
• To provide a value-free, positive definition of organizational politics that motivates you to
embrace this intriguing leadership competency.
• To recognize the business rationale for increasing your interest and skills in navigating
organizational politics.
• To defuse any emotional upset or denial you might experience about the reality of organizational
politics and political people, so that you can be “street smart” and empowered to have even
greater organizational impact.
Understanding Political Styles: Strengths and Risks (35 minutes)
• To increase your influence by understanding various Political Styles and the respective assets and
liabilities that each one brings to you, to your team, and to IIBA.
Identifying Organizational Savvy Skills and Resources (40 minutes)
• To identify 13 practical, ethical Organizational Savvy Skill Sets for gaining strategic influence, and
positive power while retaining integrity, along with post-session resources for learning about
these strategic influence skills.
“If there’s a corporate survival of the fittest, it pays to recognize our political blind spots so that our
intellect, ideas, and results have a fairer chance of receiving recognition, credit, and reward.”
-Rick Brandon, Ph.D. Author, Survival of the Savvy
Rev. 8/13/2013
2
BRANDON PARTNERS
Prework #2
Political Styles
Reading and Self-Checklist
Positioning Political Styles
Circle Right or Left Sides
We’ll explore two Political Styles–– the
Power of Ideas and Power of Person. Each
has a mindset toward organizational
politics, power, promotion, perception,
and influence. Each has a different lens
for evaluating any recommendation.
Knowing Political Styles readies you to:
For each Dimension you read
about, make check mark choices
and consider how well you relate
to the traits, and circle either
the LEFT or RIGHT side of
that Dimension. Both sides may
describe you, but you likely lean
more to the Left or Right. Force
yourself to choose. Decide how
far to the Right (Power of Person)
or Left (Power of Ideas) you are
based on how many of each
side’s attributes, characteristics,
or strengths you relate to readily.
√ Manage strengths and weaknesses,
√ Be tolerant and appreciate others,
√ Influence other Political Styles,
√ Protect yourself from the Style
extremes you’ll learn in our session.
The Strengths Finder Checklist
Six “dimensions” determine your
Political Style. Let’s recognize your
actions and preferences on each
dimension. This is also how to identify
the Political Style of stakeholders,
bosses, peers, or direct reports.
Check Traits Describing You
Use the Style Strengths Finder worksheet
on the next page to follow the Six
Dimensions. Track along on the
worksheet by check marking (√) items
that relate most to you.
It’s Not Mathematical
Don’t just add up checks or circles
(six total). It’s also subjective, so
get an overall “feel” of each side.
On Dimension #1, SUBSTANCE
POWER or POSITION POWER,
you may check three items on
the Right and only one on the
Left. But if the one Left-side
descriptor is core to your values
and SUBSTANCE POWER
better captures who you are
most naturally, you’d circle
SUBSTANCE POWER.
Power of Ideas Style
Less Political
Celebrate Both Styles
We don’t want to work for a team
or company without strengths
from both sides of each of
these six dimensions of Political
Styles. That’s why this tool is
called the “Style STRENGTHS
Finder.” We will also discuss the
risks and dangers of either Style
at its extreme during our session,
but for now, focus on positive
assets of each dimension.
We’ll Go Back and Forth
This article explains each of
the six dimensions by first
describing the Left-side Power of
Ideas version of that dimension,
and then outlining the Rightside Power of Person version.
Before reading about the next
dimension, use the CHECKLIST
to make check marks and circle
either the Right or Left side. By
the end of this article, you will
have a good idea about your
Political Style, and place yourself
on the Political Style Continuum.
Power of Person Style
More Political ➞
BRANDON PARTNERS
3
➞
Prework Task #2
Style Strengths Finder
Power of Person Style
Power of Ideas Style
Purpose
To assess Political Style and see if
you identify more with a Power of
Ideas or Power of Person style.
Directions
Use the accompanying “Political
Styles” reading to understand each
of the six dimensions of Political
Style.
Assess yourself on each dimension.
Check mark (√) each item that
describes you reasonably well. If it
doesn’t apply, leave it blank.
(More Political)
(Less Political)
SUBSTANCE POWER
1
__ 2. Senses Reactions, Aligns with Power
__ 3. Uses Position Power for Good
FOCUS ON FEEDBACK
& LEARNING
2
FOCUS ON IMAGE
& PERCEPTIONS
__ 2. Genuinely Seeks Feedback
__ 4. Knows Others’ Perceptions
__ 3. Treats Others’ Mistakes
Non-Punitively
__ 5. Plans Strategy to Improve Reputation
__ 6. Excels at Presenting and Packaging
__ 4. Builds Feedback Rich
Environments
3 HIGHLIGHTS SUCCESS
HIGHLIGHTS INTEGRITY
For each dimension, eyeball
your markings, think about your
tendencies, and circle which side of
that dimension best fits you. You
may wish you could circle both
sides, but choose one or the other.
__ 5. Integrity and Unwavering Moral
Compass
__ 7.7. Can-Do Spirit: Seeks Achievement
While Retaining Integrity
__ 6. Team & Company Good
Over Self Interest
__ 8. Politics as the Art of the Possible:
Will Compromise Ideas, Not Ethics
__ 7. Respects Proper Channels and Rules
__ 9. Knows How to Work the System of
Formal and Informal Rules
When you finished reading
the article and completing this
worksheet, decide how far to the
Right or Left you are and place an
“X” accordingly along the Political
Style Continuum to the lower right.
MORE OPEN AGENDA
PLEASE BRING THIS PREWORK
PACKET WITH YOU TO THE
SEPTEMBER 17th SESSION.
THANKS FOR INVESTING THIS
TIME!
4
__ 8. Open, Honest, and Up-Front
MERITOCRACY-BASED
DECISIONS
5
__ 11.Promotes Others For Work vs.
Friendship
__ 11.Promotes Others For Work vs.
Friends.
Avoids Distracting
Political Maneuvering
__ 12.Avoids Distracting Political
Maneuvering
6
__ 14.Head Down, Does the Job
Power of Ideas Style
➞
BRANDON PARTNERS
Less Political
RELATIONSHIP-BASED
DECISIONS
7.
__ 12. Loyalty and Strong Alliances Are Key
to Efficiency and Effectiveness
__ 10.Believes Good Work Will Be
Rewarded
__ 13.Humility & Soft Selling
MORE PRIVATE AGENDA
__10. Strategic & Prudent with Agenda
__11. Verbal Discipline vs. Naively Blunt
__ 9. Trust and Good Faith in Others
RESULTS & IDEAS SPEAK
4
POSITION POWER
__ 1. Street-Smart About Power
__ 1. Passion & Focus on Ideas
and Results
BALANCED SELF-PROMOTION
__ 13.Self Confidently Shares Strengths
__ 14.Sells Ideas & Self with Boldness
Power of Person Style
More Political ➞
1) SUBSTANCE POWER
OR POSITION POWER?
Substance Power (Left Side):
These people believe true power
resides in the work itself. Power to
them is found in their logic, facts,
and analysis OR their creative,
monetary, or artistic contributions
(whatever the nature of their work
output). This substance power can
be technical, quantitative, creative,
or strategic work. If you approach
Power of Ideas people with an idea,
they are asking themselves if the
idea itself is sound and whether
they agree with your content,
vision, or recommendations. OR....
2) FOCUS ON FEEDBACK &
LEARNING OR FOCUS ON
IMAGE & PERCEPTIONS?
Focus on Feedback and
Learning (Left Side):
Defining power as the actual work
itself, the Power of Ideas person
“Genuinely Seeks Feedback.
Everyone has an ego, but Power
of Ideas people more genuinely
request and receive feedback
non-defensively. They also “Treat
Others’ Mistakes Non-Punitively,”
and “Build Feedback Rich
Environments.” They cultivate an
“Attitude of a Learner,” always
wanting to improve and grow.
OR....
Position Power (Right Side):
The Right-side Power of Person style
believes that true power resides in
traditional position power. They
define power more hierarchically
versus the substance of the work.
The Right side is “Street-Smart”
–– a student of power, both the
official and unofficial power and
influence holders. He can deftly
track power trends and stakeholder
agendas. He “Senses Reactions,”
and “Aligns with Power.” Focus on Image and Perceptions
(Right Side): The Power of Person
style “Knows Others’ Perceptions”
and “Plans a Strategy to Improve
Their Reputation.” He will “Excel
at Presenting and Packaging,” both
of himself and his proposals. Power
of Person is comfortable, natural, and
skilled at image management and
effective presence as a specialty.
They also consciously plan how to
manage negative perceptions of
them or their team. Political savvy
includes reshaping the perceptions
of others–– the corporate “buzz.”
T
his Power of Person
protects turf, territory,
and boundaries in
appropriate ways. He is
aware of who’s “in,” who’s “out,”
who’s “up,” and who’s “down,”
and he understands and prethinks how top management will
react. This is NOT abusive power
preoccupation. It is the honorable
and constructive focus on position
power at this point
MAKE CHECK MARKS AND
CIRCLE SUBSTANCE POWER OR
POSITION POWER
This image focus can sometimes
deteriorate into ego sensitivity, or
defensiveness about feedback, but
right now on your Style Strengths
Finder Checklist, the Right-sider’s
image focus is a constructive and
appropriate. Left-siders can be so
focused on work quality, they may
not know how others see them.
MAKE CHECK MARKS AND
CIRCLE FOCUS ON FEEDBACK
& LEARNING OR FOCUS ON
IMAGE & PERCEPTION
3) HIGHLIGHTS
INTEGRITY OR
HIGHLIGHTS SUCCESS?
Highlights Integrity (Left Side):
Power of Ideas people want to do things
right, but also do the right thing–– for
a team or company. “Integrity and an
Unwavering Moral Compass” drive
them, choosing “Team & Company
Good Over Self Interest.” A manager
may promote someone to a better job
even if it’s a challenge and expense
to recruit and train a new person.
The integrity of the Power of Ideas
style means he also “Respects Proper
Channels and Rules” as part of doing
the right thing, with an absence of
reckless or short-cut behavior. OR....
Highlights Success (Right Side):
This Style possesses a “Can-Do,
Art of the Possible Spirit.” He does
what it takes to succeed. He “Seeks
Achievement While Retaining
Integrity.” This healthy Political Style’s
motivation transcends money, to seek
positive power to make a positive
impact. Power of Person people are
“Willing to Compromise” the pure
substance of their idea to set it in
motion. They understand and act
based on informal rules as well as
written and spoken ones If a boss
says a decision-making meeting about
a consultant is next Friday, the Power
of Ideas Style waits to present until
Friday. Meanwhile, the Right-siders on
the team are having meetings before
the meeting–– to sell their preferred
consultant. The Left-sider arrives to
find that the decision is already made!
The Power of Person style reality tests
ideas before meetings to get support.
MAKE CHECK MARKS. CIRCLE
HIGHLIGHTS INTEGRITY OR
HIGHLIGHTS SUCCESS
BRANDON PARTNERS
5
4) MORE OPEN AGENDA OR
MORE PRIVATE AGENDA?
More Open Agenda (Left Side):
With a deep commitment to high
integrity, the Power of Ideas style is
“Open, Honest, and Up-front.” He
engenders “Trust and Good Faith”
to and from others. He believes
others are 100% trustworthy
and honest, and tries to act the
same. This means he can trust the
wrong person, but the trait itself
is honorable. While Right-siders in
negotiations may “offer high” to
end up with a price they can live
with, Left-sider’s want to state their
actual final stance at the outset.
OR....
More Private Agenda (Right):
Power of Person people are more
“Strategic and Prudent with
Agendas.” They practice “Verbal
Discipline versus (being) Naively
Blunt.” Often, more naive Leftsiders are overly open, and may
blurt out their thoughts in risky
ways. Not saying everything
you’re thinking is not the same as
being dishonest! “Just telling the
truth” can even be unnecessarily
harsh or cruel. Naturally, Rightsiders’ more private postures can
also go way too far to leading
to hidden, or even naked selfinterest-driven agendas. This could
mean adopting a point of view
or hidden agenda, just to win a
bonus, please a manager, push a
pet project, obtain a promotion, or
hide something. But here, on our
Style STRENGTHS Finder Checklist
page, we’re only discussing the
healthy expression of every trait.
MAKE CHECK MARKS AND
CIRCLE MORE OPEN AGENDA
OR MORE PRIVATE AGENDA
6
BRANDON PARTNERS
5) MERITOCRACY-BASED
DECISIONS OR
RELATIONSHIP-BASED
DECISIONS
Meritocracy-Based
Decisions (Left Side):
The Power of Ideas style “Believes
Good Work Will Be Rewarded,”
sometimes a short-sighted leap of
faith. But this can also be a strength,
trusting that doing one’s job will
pay off. The Left-side manager
“Promotes Others Based on Their
Work versus Friendship.” He “Avoids
Distracting Political Maneuvering.”
The work ethic of such a person is
admirable, and the choices that this
mind set makes means promotions,
contracts, vendor selections, and
supplier decisions are made for
good reasons–– competence.
OR....
Relationship-Based
Decisions (Right Side): It’s also an
admirable trait to have Power of Person’s Relationship-based decisions.
If quality and competence are still
intact, relationships are also key
factors. We don’t want to promote a
poor performer as a favor, or show
favoritism to reward contracts, jobs,
or salaries. But “Loyalty and Strong
Alliances” can be partnership-driven,
based on a great track record. It’s
efficient to hire someone if you
know him, know he’ll do a great
job, and trust that he knows your
company. A professional sports team
coach going to a new team may bring
some of his coaching staff who
knows his system. MAKE CHECK MARKS
CIRCLE MERITOCRACY-BASED
DECISIONS OR
RELATIONSHIP-BASED
DECISIONS
6) RESULTS AND IDEAS
SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES
OR BALANCED SELFPROMOTION?
Results and Ideas Speak for
Themselves (Left Side):
The Power of Ideas’ “Humility
and Soft Selling” strength is
comparable to an athlete letting
his or her play on the field do
the talking rather than arrogantly
“strutting his stuff.” Jim Collins’
Good to Great research found that
great leaders can have humility, far
from the stereotype of bigger than
life leaders. These leaders have
a “Head Down, Does the Job”
posture on the job. But if they
always keep their heads down, they
may lack peripheral vision to see
broader Organizational priorities,
understand other parts of the
enterprise, learn unwritten rules, or
sense power holders’ priorities.
OR....
Balanced Self-Promotion (Left):
The Right-sider “Self-Confidently
Shares His Strengths,” whereas the
Left-sider believes that ideas and
results speak for themselves. The
Power of Person Style knows the
difference between showing off
and expressing pride or excitement
about results: “You can’t sell a
car by keeping it in your garage!”
This person “Sells Ideas and
One’s Self with Boldness,” and he
understands the importance of
selling yourself without sacrificing
your ethics, values, or integrity.
You don’t want to be the best-kept
secret in your company!
MAKE CHECK MARKS AND
CIRCLE RESULTS AND IDEAS
SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES OR
BALANCED SELF-PROMOTION