Ethics and Political Skill

What are your strengths and weaknesses in terms of political skill? How is political skill related to power and empowerment? Is political skill something that should be cultivated? Explain. If you were to develop greater political skill, what would be the most ethical way to go about it?

Effective political Skills play a vital role in personal and business manners. My results from the questionnaire revealed that I am relatively strong in Networking Ability -7. In terms of Social Astutenenss-5, I scored rather low. Conversely, in Interpersonal Influence and Apparent Sincerity my scores where rather high.

At work, I am connected with people that are perceived to be important. There have been instances whereby I have utilized networks in efforts to get projects and tasks done. In like manner, I enjoy developing relationships and establishing networks with co-workers.

I have a tendency to be passive-aggressive. When in a group of extrovert I tend to assume more introverted position. In this manner, my level of social astuteness is rather low. Sometimes my ability to influence others is not effective. Due to these introverted behaviors, there is a level of uncomfortability that comes with knowing the right thing to say. However often times I am not acutely aware of others motivations and hidden agendas. I tend to think the best of co-workers and do not ready recognize that people have hidden agendas. I do however pay very close attention to people’s facial expressions, feelings, and emotions. In doing so, people say that I make them feel comfortable and at ease. People generally like me and I am perceived to be a trusting person. In this manner, my interpersonal influence is high. I am genuinely interested in other people. My co-workers believe I am sincere and genuine. I have an apparent sincerity while communicating with others.

Conger describes empowering others as an art. Additionally empowerment is the act of strengthen an individual’s beliefs in his or her sense of effectiveness. Empowerment involves processing and influencing the internal beliefs of people.

Research identified four means of providing empowering information to others: 1. Positive emotional support during experiences associated with stress and anxiety. 2. Though words of encouragement and positive persuasion. 3. By observing others’ effectiveness-in other words, having models of success with whom people identified 4. By actually experiencing the mastering of a task with success. (Conger,J.A. ,2010).

Political skill should and can be cultivated. In my experience, my superiors that exhibited strong political skills were able to get more done.