BOSTON COLLEGE WORLDWIDE WEBINARS NAVIGATING OFFICE POLITICS Kim

BOSTON COLLEGE WORLD-WIDE WEBINARS NAVIGATING OFFICE POLITICS Kim Meninger ’ 97, MBA ’ 08 Executive Coach

Agenda • How politically savvy are you? • What are office politics? • Why are office politics important? • What are the keys to your political success?

How Politically Savvy Are You? • Do you understand your organization’s informal power structure? • Do you feel confident in your ability to influence decisions that affect you and your team? • Do you know how others perceive you? • Do you have a powerful and strategic internal network? • Do you read people and situations effectively? • Do you successfully manage your emotions and impulses when facing challenges? 3

What Are Office Politics? Strategies used by individuals to sell ideas, influence decisions and achieve personal & organizational goals 4

Why Are Politics Important? • Political savvy strengthens your ability to influence others & maximize resources • Strategic relationships offer access to inside information • Critical allies provide air cover during sticky situations • Increased visibility and improved performance leads to career advancement opportunities 5

Keys to Your Political Success • Understand your political landscape • Understand yourself and how others perceive you • Invest in strategic relationships • Hone your ability to read people and situations • Manage your emotions 6

Understand Your Political Landscape • Know the informal power structure • Who are the key players? • What do they do? • Understand your company’s real values 7

Understand Yourself • Know your value • Identify your strengths & weaknesses • Understand how others perceive you 8

Invest in Strategic Relationships • Diversify your network • Build powerful alliances • Be on the inside track • Leverage your resources 9

Read People & Situations • Observe others • Pay attention to body language • Ask questions • Listen carefully • Show empathy 10

Manage Your Emotions • Control your impulses • Check your ego • Practice measured responses • Be strategic about displays of emotion 11

Final Tips • Practice • Be willing to try new strategies • Stay true to your values • Don’t compromise your integrity • Don’t go it alone • Engage mentors for guidance • Consider your options • Be willing to leave if it’s not a fit 12

Additional Resources • Secrets to Winning at Office Politics, Marie G. Mc. Intyre, Ph. D. • Survival of the Savvy High-Integrity Political Tactics for Career and Company Success, Rick Brandon, Ph. D. & Marty Seldman, Ph. D. • It’s All Politics: Winning in a World Where Hard Work and Talent Aren’t Enough, Kathleen Kelley Reardon, Ph. D. 13

Additional Online Resources 6 Ways to Win at Office Politics Forbes Leadership, September 15, 2015 Office Politics Isn’t Something You Can Sit Out Harvard Business Review, January 12, 2015 4 Steps to Mastering Office Politics Forbes Leadership, July 31, 2012 Stop Avoiding Office Politics Harvard Business Review, November 2, 2011 14

QUESTIONS?

Contact Me Have a question or comment? Need additional support? Visit: www. Executive. Career. Success. com Email: Kim@Executive. Career. Success. com Connect: www. Linked. In. com/in/Kim. Meninger 16