“It is better to deserve honors and not have them than to have them and not deserve them.” Â
Mark Twain
Which of the following below are most important to you with respect to your career?
- Getting ahead
- Getting to do new things regulary so you aren’t bored
- Getting to do the things you truly love
- Getting to take risks and become your own boss
These four primary drivers seem to correspond to how some of us are able to follow our career path preferences in life whether it is leading others, managing diverse projects, specializing and practicing our craft or being entrepreneurial. To be successful in any of these career paths requires careful attention to how you “play the game” typically called “politics” with others.
No doubt, some of us are better at playing this game of “politics” then others. It appears helpful to craft our social and emotional intelligence skills as evidenced by some recent research by Witt and colleagues. In 5 of 7 independent samples of employees, those high in dependability/achievement striving (conscientiousness) who were also low in interpersonal awareness and skills received significantly lower overall ratings of job performance compared to those high in agreeableness. ((Witt, L., Burke, L., Barrick, M. & Mount, M. (2002). The interactive effects of conscientiousness and agreeableness on job performance. Journal of Applied Psychology, 87, 164-169)).
At the end of the day, employers, colleagues and clients classify all of us into four basic groups based on what we accomplish and how we go about accomplishing things. Each of these groups are viewed in unique ways and create impressions that are in need of being managed if we hope to be successful in our careers. Here are some proven political strategies and tips to successfully manage your career:
- High Performing Psychos
- Low Performing Psychos
- Lovable High Performers
- Lovable Low Performers
HIGH PERFORMING PSYCHOS
HOW YOU ARE EXPERIENCED BY OTHERS: It’s great you are able to bring in large sums of money, close deals, save lives, and convince juries that your client isn’t guilty but have you read what’s written about you in the bathroom walls? Basically, everyone will respect your intellect, track record and high performance but would taser you each time you came within striking distance if they could.
HOW TO MANAGE YOUR IMAGE POLITICALLY:
1. Start by regulating your amygdala, the small “emotional brake” in your brain whenever you are annoyed, impatient, stressed or frustrated with others to avoid shouting, yelling, screaming, bullying or belittling others.
2. Apologize for being a “putz” to others from time to time. Explain your typically arrogant and demeaning style as being developmentally delayed in emotional intelligence and that you are trying to catch up. This strategy will at least add a small withdrawal from your narcissistic bank account.
3. Tell your boss what a wonderful job they are doing. This will remind them how important you are to making him/her look good in the organization.
4. Give credit to anyone else you work with. Those that deserve it will be shocked and those who do not will wonder when you started taking oxytocin.
LOW PERFORMING PSYCHOS
HOW YOU ARE EXPERIENCED BY OTHERS: You are the most likely to be “voted off the island” by those in charge and very little will be written about you in the bathroom wall.
HOW TO MANAGE YOUR IMAGE POLITICALLY:
1. Start a home business.
2. Use social networks to establish as many professional connections as possible as you are likely to need it to find another job.
3. Look for a common enemy within the organization–a “loafer”, someone disgruntled with management or someone recently fired and establish a club to focus on this “enemy”.
4. Esablish a solid relationship with the human resources department and seek career coaching while explaining how challenging it is being actively engaged working for the type of leader you report to.
5. Try to “out live” your current boss or see # 4 above.
LOVABLE HIGH PERFORMERS
HOW YOU ARE EXPERIENCED BY OTHERS: People actually listen to your ideas and recommendations and most people will follow you to the bathroom.
HOW TO MANAGE YOUR IMAGE POLITICALLY:
1. Work your peers as they hold the key to any future ambitions you might have to move up in the organization.
2. Identify and spend more time with other employees and leaders that are followed into the bathroom.
3. Describe to your boss how a future role, task or assignment would really “engage” you and watch to see how quickly they try to develop a “stretch assignment” for you.
4. Dress for success–watch how those “voted off the island” dress and find out where they shopped so you can make sure not to fall into the same image trap they did.
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LOVABLE LOW PERFORMERS
HOW YOU ARE EXPERIENCED BY OTHERS: You will be able to “hold court” with senior leaders and other employees who will join you in the bathroom.
HOW TO MANAGE YOUR IMAGE POLITICALLY:
1. Ask for a coach. Everyone does and you are likely to have your request accepted by senior management.
2. Tell as many stories about home, health and family problems as you can create. This will engender sympathy and explain your lack of performance, skills or abilities for a long time.
3. Look to join teams and groups that are largely made of of low performing psychos. You will “rock” in these situations.
4. Avoid bosses who are serious about performance management. They will make your life miserable but will tell you about every affair they have ever had, their own vulnerabilities and fears and who they secretly want to screw over.
So, no more whining about how unfair it not to be recognized, promoted and valued. These proven political secrets are guaranteed to extend and promote your career whether you want to move ahead in your organization, start and grow your own business or become a recognized guru within your profession.
Well as they say, “Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending”….Be well…..
[tags]emotional politics, politcal style, impression management, conflict resolution, leadership, interpersonal style, self-promotion, envisia, envisia learning, entrepreneurial, kenneth nowack, ken nowack, nowack[/tags]
Ken Nowack
Kenneth Nowack, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist (PSY13758) and President & Chief Research Officer/Co-Founder of Envisia Learning, is a member of the Consortium for Research on Emotional Intelligence in Organizations. Ken also serves as the Associate Editor of Consulting Psychology Journal: Practice and Research. His recent book Clueless: Coaching People Who Just Don’t Get It is available for free for a limited time by signing up for free blog updates (Learn more at our website)
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