POLITICAL SKILLS: NAVIGATING YOUR CAREER AND PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS September 14, 2020 Center for Leadership California State University, Fullerton SGMH – 5357 800 N State College Blvd., Fullerton CA 92831 ABOUT US The Center for Leadership partners with top leaders and businesses of Orange County to bring and encourage leadership knowledge, dialogue, and development in all aspects of the community through different initiatives, including the Leadership Scholars Program, Organizational Leadership MBA Concentration, Bringing Learning to Work, the Annual Awards Luncheon, and The Leadership Voice WHAT WE OFFER Our Bringing Learning to Work program connects faculty expertise at Cal State Fullerton to businesses in the Orange County community in a series of “Lunch and Learn” topics ranging from 90 minutes to half day sessions – all designed by the Center for Leadership to provide world-class training Our thought leaders facilitate and offer organizations premium solutions to business and leadership needs Your organization handles the location, facility, and food (if applicable), while we bring the learning to (your) work! LEARN MORE To learn more about us and the programs we offer please contact the Center at (657) 278-5170 or email at leadership@fullerton.edu Don’t forget to visit our website: business.fullerton.edu/Center/Leadership Navigating Your Career MIHAYLO COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS Political Skills John E Barbuto, Jr., Ph.D Director, Center for Leadership California State University – Fullerton Fullerton, CA 92831 (657) 278-8675 jbarbuto@fullerton.edu Website: http://business.fullerton.edu/centers/leadershipcenter/ MIHAYLO COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS MIHAYLO COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS MIHAYLO COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS Who would you hire? • Candidate one: – Meets all qualifications – Excellent track record – Seemed a little “stand-off ish” in interview • Candidate two: – Meets all qualifications – Above average track record – Seemed sincere and personable MIHAYLO COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS Which did you hire? • Why would you hire the person you selected? MIHAYLO COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS Fact or Fiction? • The most qualified person will get the job • Who you know can matter more than what you know • Promotability has a lot to with interpersonal skills exhibited by an individual • Improving your relationship with your boss will decrease your risk of being impacted by layoffs • Being good at your job will lead to promotion opportunities MIHAYLO COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS Define – Political Skills The ability to effectively understand others at work and life, and to use such knowledge to influence others to act in ways that enhance one’s personal and/or organizational objectives MIHAYLO COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS Political Skilled Leaders Combine social astuteness with the capacity to adjust their behavior to different and changing situational demands – in a manner that appears sincere, inspires support and trust, and effectively influences and controls responses of others MIHAYLO COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS Other Descriptors of Politically Skilled • • • • • • • • Self-Confidence (but not arrogant) “Calm” Self-Confidence Not Self-Absorbed Balanced Conscientious Savvy Puts others at ease Accountable to self and others MIHAYLO COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS 10 MIHAYLO COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS 11 Social Astuteness • Good at observation • Keenly attuned to diverse social situations • Comprehend social interactions well • Highly sensitive to others and their needs/wants • Often seen as ingenious, clever, in dealing with others • Some aspects of Emotional Intelligence here • Will not miss social cues of others MIHAYLO COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS 12 Interpersonal Influence • Subtle and convincing personal style that exerts a powerful influence on those around them • Capable of appropriately adapting and calibrating behavior to each situation in order to elicit particular responses from others • Flexibility is an overriding factor – an ability to adapt our behavior to different contexts and conditions to achieve one’s goals • Can you adopt the appropriate mindset and behavior to accomplish the task at hand? MIHAYLO COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS 13 Networking Ability • Adept at developing and using diverse networks of people • Able to connect people with various interests • Developing friendships and building strong beneficial alliances and coalitions • Social networks are deliberately constructed to ensure that one is well positioned to both create and take advantage of opportunities as they occur • Masters of the quid pro quo • Skilled negotiators and deal makers MIHAYLO COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS 14 Apparent Sincerity • Appearance of possessing high levels of integrity, authenticity, sincerity, and genuineness • Are (or appear to be) honest, open and forthright • Motives are seen as pure or worthwhile • Inspire trust and confidence in and from those around them • Does not raise suspicions from others MIHAYLO COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS 15 • Which dimensions of political skills were you highest ? • Which dimensions you appear to require the most improvement? MIHAYLO COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS 16 MIHAYLO COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS 17 ... skills exhibited by an individual • Improving your relationship with your boss will decrease your risk of being impacted by layoffs • Being good at your job will lead to promotion opportunities... leadership@fullerton.edu Don’t forget to visit our website: business.fullerton.edu/Center/Leadership Navigating Your Career MIHAYLO COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS Political Skills John E Barbuto, Jr., Ph.D... solutions to business and leadership needs Your organization handles the location, facility, and food (if applicable), while we bring the learning to (your) work! LEARN MORE To learn more about