Part 2: Developing Political Intelligence
In Part 1 we discussed understanding office politics with a growth mindset (view full article here).
The next step is developing Political Intelligence.
Political intelligence is a learnable skill. Being politically smart doesn’t mean manipulating others; it’s about reading situations, understanding your environment, and knowing how to engage with people in a way that is beneficial for all. Whether in person or in virtual settings, informal influence plays a key role. Consider how effective passive mentoring is in the workplace.
Strategies to develop political intelligence:
- Understand the political environment: Learn your workplace’s political landscape. Identify where you fit and what role you naturally play. There are many descriptions of political roles including peacemaker, manipulator or mediator.
- Acknowledge virtual politics: When working remotely, don’t ignore office politics. Find new ways to stay connected and remain influential even when you’re not physically present. Working from home can give the impression that you’re not interested or proactive because you’re not seen or heard as often as those in the office.
- Learn from experience: Pay attention to your actions and learn from both positive and negative consequences. Refine and think through your political strategies. What is your purpose; to increase visibility, your presence or promote a skillset?