DAY ONE

MODULE ONE
The need for organizational savvy

You may be underestimating the role that
politics plays in how your ideas sell or in your career mobility. A Baseline Attitude Activity
and a provocative presentation reveal tip-offs that you may not have paid enough attention to the role of organizational politics.

MODULE TWO
Organizational savvy model

A continuum shows two contrasting organizational political power styles. The styles collide, each with a unique world view and different a calculus for evaluating ideas. The clues are revealed for recognizing each style of operating, along with the dangers and liabilities of each extreme. You'll discuss the character flaws associated with the two extreme political styles and understand the benefits of a third style, one that balances organizational impact with personal integrity.

One Day Alternative


We offer a condensed, door-opener version of our flagship program, Organizational Savvy. The shorter
program still provides insight and awareness on the importance of ethical organizational politics as well as skills in recognizing the major political styles. Participants also gain an understanding of some high-integrity politics strategies such as networking, knowing and managing one's corporate buzz and perceptions, ethical lobbying and respecting turf and ego.

However, the accelerated nature of this one-day design omits many skill practices, activities, and group discussions. Also, four skill-building Modules are deleted altogether: Savvy Influence Vocabulary, Detecting Deception, Elevator Speeches, and Handling Resistance and Sabotage. Brandon Partners can consult with you about the optimal workshop design and module flow for your population and performance improvement needs.

MODULE THREE
Political blind-spot case studies

You'll analyze and discuss scenarios from real corporations to identify clues about each person's political style placement on the Organizational Savvy Continuum Model. You'll apply program principles to explore how problems might have been prevented and what constructive actions might have led to a more positive outcome.

MODULE FOUR
Savvy attitudes to pierce the emotional veil

Some people react with such an emotional outrage to politics that they are knocked off balance and get hooked. Instead of being crippled by your reactions, you'll learn to alter your attitudes about organizational politics by taking control of your thoughts and belief systems.

MODULE FIVE
Read power dynamics and know your "corporate buzz"

Astute influencers study their companies' power relationships and unwritten rules to learn how decisions are really made. You'll plot power trends and then discover your corporate buzz–– how you and your team are perceived (the good, the bad, the ugly)–– and how to manage these perceptions. Understanding your organization's "scorecard" and your reputation is pivotal to job success, influence efforts, and career advancement.

DAY TWO

MODULE SIX
Street-smart political strategies

You'll learn practical action strategies to avoid naiveté and to become more politically savvy. You'll see that being political need not equate with becoming unethical. It means getting ideas implemented without selling your soul, and living to tell about it. You'll discover the importance of actions like promoting yourself, building your power base, networking, respecting turf, and addressing hidden agenda.

MODULE SEVEN
Elevator speeches to avoid the shaft

Too many under-political people describe their value to their organizations by simply using their job title. Borrowed from the field of corporate branding, the "elevator speech" strategy will help you to promote yourself with integrity. You'll sustain your political health through potent body language that conveys a credible image and through the elevator pitch–– a succinct, impactful self-commercial about your contribution to the company.

MODULE EIGHT
Savvy influence vocabulary

Executive presence, building your power base, and political “impression management” all involve being aware of the impact of your behavior. This includes using language and tone that are respectful when disagreeing, non-absolutist when making a call to action, and non-judgmental when proposing an idea or giving feedback. You’ll practice executive vocabulary, to avoid unconsciously implying criticism, conveying rigidity, or triggering unnecessary resistance.

MODULE NINE
Ethical lobbying

Savvy leaders understand the need to identify stakeholders and develop a pre-planned, individualized strategy for selling ideas. Customizing a game plan for each decision-maker and seeking support and feedback on your ideas before a meeting is a hallmark of high-integrity politics. You’ll debrief a reading article about Ethical Lobbying and use consulting trios to map out an real-life influence strategy for an actual idea, initiative, recommendation, or proposal.

MODULE TEN
Detecting and handling deception

Even top managers are vulnerable to misrepresented information and manipulation. You'll learn the types of deception practiced by overly political players and methods for preventing, detecting and handling such ploys.

MODULE ELEVEN
Facing resistance and sabotage

Politically astute executives handle resistance with grace. Often, exploring negative reactions instead of ignoring them earns credibility and respect. You’ll practice a process to stop your communicating or presenting if it’s clear there are issues “under the table”. You’ll practice controlling the situation by non-defensively listening to the issue and responding firmly and objectively.

MODULE TWELVE
Organizational savvy case studies (Part Two)

Using another real-life scenario from a well-known company, you'll integrate your learning from these two days. The situation will be discussed in small groups and debriefed in an active fashion in the full group in order to reinforce your understanding of various political styles and street-smart action strategies.