How to Coach Yourself and Others Influencing, Inter Personal and Leadership Skills | Page 87

 Dysfunctional politics:
People who engage in manipulation promote their own interests at the expense of the
organization.
 Self-destruction:
People who take actions that further neither their own interests, nor those of the
organization are engaging in “career suicide.” This behavior often signals deep
discouragement or burnout.
 Self-sacrifice:
People who take actions that further the organization’s interests but that ignore their
own. They naturally think about what is right for the organization, and they also know
that a reputation for putting aside personal agendas builds credibility. However, when
overused, this approach can lead to burnout and martyrdom.
 Political savvy:
People who make decisions that balance their own interests with those of their
organization.
Who Benefits?
Using influence well can actually be a tremendous service to the organization and to the
people a leader manages. It can bring the leader’s particular unit or department
visibility, stature, resources, and a voice in shaping what happens.
On the other hand, lacking or misusing political skills can have very serious
consequences to yourself, to your unit, and ultimately even to your ability to achieve
emergency management goals in the future.
Building Blocks for Political Savvy
There are three critical building blocks that will help to strengthen your own political
skills:
 Alliance Mindset: A mindset focused on alliance.
 Understand Your Allies: The ability to under 7F