Posted on April 21st, 2023

As an essential leadership skill, political skill is often overlooked in traditional management education. In fact, less than 10% of MBA courses include political skill as a component of their curriculum. However, effective leaders understand that political skill is a critical component of successful leadership, and employees value leaders who possess this skill. In this blog post, we will explore why political skill is the missing discipline of management, and how it can be developed through training and assessment.

What is Political Skill?

Political skill refers to the ability to understand and influence others in a positive way, and it can be used to achieve team and organizational goals. Political skill involves a combination of social astuteness, interpersonal influence, networking ability, and sincerity. Leaders with political skill are able to navigate complex relationships and power dynamics within an organization, and use this knowledge to achieve positive outcomes.

Why is Political Skill Important for Effective Leadership?

Political skill is a critical component of effective leadership, as it allows leaders to understand the dynamics of their organization and make informed decisions that advance team and organizational goals. Leaders with political skill are able to build strong relationships with key stakeholders, anticipate reactions to change, and identify and leverage sources of influence within an organization. By developing political skill, leaders can make informed decisions that benefit their team and organization, and avoid costly mistakes.

The Challenges of Developing Political Skill

Developing political skill can be challenging, as it involves navigating complex relationships and power dynamics within an organization. It can also be difficult to identify and develop this skill, as it is often not formally recognized or taught in traditional management education. However, training and assessment can help leaders to develop their political skill and improve their effectiveness as leaders.

Developing Political Skill through Training and Assessment

Training in political skill can help leaders understand the dynamics of their organization, develop strategies for navigating these dynamics, and learn how to build strong relationships with key stakeholders. Assessment can help leaders identify their strengths and weaknesses in terms of political skill, and develop a plan for improvement. Suggested readings and resources can also help leaders to develop their knowledge and understanding of political skill.

The Benefits of Political Skill for Leaders and Organizations

There are many benefits to developing political skill for both leaders and organizations. For leaders, it can help them build strong relationships with key stakeholders, identify and leverage sources of influence, and make informed decisions that benefit their team and organization. It can also help leaders avoid potential pitfalls and navigate the political landscape of an organization. For organizations, it can lead to increased productivity, improved communication, and a more positive workplace culture. By developing political skill, leaders and organizations can achieve greater success and reach their full potential.

The Link Between Political Skill and Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence is another critical skill for effective leadership, and it plays an important role in developing political skill. Leaders with high emotional intelligence are better able to understand and manage their own emotions, as well as the emotions of others. This skill is critical in building strong relationships and navigating complex workplace dynamics.

The Role of Organizational Savvy in Political Skill

Organizational savvy is another critical component of political skill, as it involves understanding the informal structures and politics of an organization. By developing organizational savvy, leaders can better understand the power dynamics at play within their organization, and use this knowledge to make informed decisions and achieve positive outcomes.

The Importance of Developing Political Skill in a Global Context

In today's global marketplace, effective leaders must be able to navigate complex relationships and power dynamics across cultures and geographies. Political skill is an essential component of success in a global context, as it allows leaders to build strong relationships with stakeholders and navigate the unique cultural and political dynamics of different regions.

The Impact of Political Skill on Employee Engagement and Retention

Effective leadership is critical to employee engagement and retention, and political skill plays an important role in this equation. Leaders with strong political skill are better able to communicate effectively with their team, build strong relationships, and create a positive workplace culture. By doing so, they can improve employee engagement and retention, and reduce turnover.

The Future of Political Skill in Leadership and Business

As the workplace continues to evolve, the importance of political skill is only going to increase. In the future, leaders will need to be even more adept at navigating complex relationships and power dynamics within organizations. However, as the importance of political skill grows, so too will the need for effective training and assessment programs to develop this critical skill. The future of leadership and business will be shaped by those who have the skills and knowledge to succeed in a constantly changing environment, and political skill will play a key role in this success.

Examples of Political Skill in Action

To better understand the importance of political skill in effective leadership, it can be helpful to examine examples of political skill in action. One example is a leader who is able to build strong relationships with key stakeholders in order to achieve a common goal. Another example is a leader who is able to navigate a complex political landscape within their organization in order to achieve positive outcomes for their team. By examining these examples, it becomes clear that political skill is a critical component of effective leadership, and it can have a significant impact on the success of a team or organization.

Conclusion

Political skill is a critical component of effective leadership, yet it is often overlooked in traditional management education. However, by developing political skill through training and assessment, leaders can build strong relationships with key stakeholders, identify and