Learning Objectives

Detect and protect yourself from potentially negative actions of overly political, power-oriented colleagues, bosses, or customers.
Learn practical, nonmanipulative strategies for entering the political arena while maintaining integrity (e.g., networking, promoting yourself, handling hidden agendas, lobbying ethically, managing the corporate "buzz," avoiding sabotage, building your power base).
Learn two primary political power styles in organizations, what influences them, and how to avoid the dangers of adopting the extreme of either style.
Defuse any emotional upset you have about politics as a fact of organizational life, so that you will waste less time and energy. Instead you'll become "street smart" and strategic.
Recognize any tip-offs that you may be naive about the level of politics you face.
Learn how to present your ideas or challenge others' ideas with appropriately firm vocabulary, and adjust your language according to the power dynamics of the situation.
Detect, prevent, and manage deception since even top leaders are vulnerable to distorted information, misrepresentation, and manipulation that can scorch company resources and reputations
Learn to recognize and handle sabotage in group situations by deftly managing resistance and challenges to your credibility or position.

Our goal isn't to create political manipulators, but instead to protect you from low organizational impact or sabotage. We may not like it, but for good ideas and people to survive, we must build organizational savvy and political influence. You can maintain your integrity and ethics while becoming more politically astute!

Click here for a preview of the workshop modules.

Political blinds spots and organizational naiveté can result in:

inability to sell ideas

failure to receive appropriate credit for work

missing your organization's hidden criteria for success

being sabotaged by others

being underestimated or pigeonholed

lacking a network of allies and advocates

a negative image within your company

career stagnation or job loss

Benefits to Your Organization

As you raise your odds of career and project success through increased influence and impact, your company also receives payoffs from your new insights and organizational savvy:
Participants gain a more positive attitude toward politics as a fact of organizational life. Reducing complaints and resentment about this reality increases energy and productivity.
Functional areas are seen as strategic partners so that more project approvals occur.
Participants become more empowered and willing to network for inter-team collaboration and cross- organizational learning.
Helping people accept and manage organizational politics as a corporate fact of life reduces employee stress and attrition.
The practice of ethical politics ensures a more positive company reputation.