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
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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
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Manage Your Emotions
• Control your impulses
• Check your ego
• Practice measured
responses
• Be strategic about
displays of emotion
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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
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Additional Resources
• Secrets to Winning at Office Politics, Marie G.
McIntyre, 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.
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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
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QUESTIONS?
Contact Me
Have a question or comment?
Need additional support?
Visit: www.ExecutiveCareerSuccess.com
Email: Kim@ExecutiveCareerSuccess.com
Connect: www.LinkedIn.com/in/KimMeninger
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