"Political skill" typically carries a negative connotation; the authors do not see it thay way, rather they believe it will become increasingly important given trends:
organizations are becoming more social;
higher levels of coordination, communication, and facilitation of others;
diminishing role of traditional authority and hierarchical structures is giving way to team-based management, social skills to facilitate and coach interaction-based outcomes (p. 25).
"Political skill" is defined as an interpersonal style that combines social social awareness with the ability to communicate well. Such behavior is said to charming and engaging and therefore inspire confidence, trust, and sincerity.
Authors argue that political skill and intelligence are compatible (yet distinct) and enhance adaptability, and that their combination are critical to success given dynamic organizational environments that require flexibility in their human resources.
Work environments have changed dramatically within last 20 years; Hierarchy has been replaced by information technology, team-based work structures and organization culture.
Increased "team" style requires greater social skill proficiency to work effectivley with and through others.
Seeing the rise of the "social organization," where management is expected to be more visible and intouch (and facilitative versus direct).
Interest in social skill has been growing in recent years (e.g., social inteligence, emotional intelligence, ego resiliency, self-monitoring, and practical intelligence).
Unique contextual environment of organizations suggest a type of social skill is needed that is developed in context of organizational social and political realities:
Social intelligence - concept dating back to 1920, ability to understand and manage people, difficult to measure.
Social intelligence plays a dominant role in political skill, political skill is more specific to the work setting.
Political skill focuses on both behaviors to exhibit and style employed to make behaviors convincing and effective.
Emotional intelligence - interest grown in recent years, ability to monitor one's own and others feelings and emotions, and to use this information in the demonstration and regulation of emotions. Specifically involving ability to control impulses, delay gratification, regulate one's moods, and to empathize.
Ego-resiliency - form of social skill that contributes to effecive environmental adaptation through the capacity for self-regulation of behavior ...
Social self-efficacy - judgments of personal capability in social interactions and contexts ... people believe they can control the outcomes of social interactions. In other words, confidence in one's ability to control social situations. Political skill is said to mirror concept of social self-efficacy, but is concerned with unique contexts and interactions within organizatinal realm and effecting change in organizations (p. 29).
Self-monitoring - skill at knowing what is socially appropriate in particular situations ... people demonstrate ability to control their emotional expression and are capable of using these abilities effectively to create desired impressions ... reflects unique ability to read, interpret, and understand social situations ... attempts to present appropriate type of person called for in every situation. Political skill differs in that is often used to effect change in desired manner, whereas self-monitoring describes individuals' attempts to behave in a socially appropriate fashion.
Tacit knowledge - action- oriented relevant knowledge that allows people to achieve goals they personally value. It is knowledge acquired without the help of others--in other words, learned on one's own. If one has this knowledge, one is more likely to demonstrate political skill. Political skill largely based on one's tacit knowledge and practical intelligence.
Authors view political skill as distinct type of political skill even though various types of social skill are related and influence. This is why they belive political skill should be receive attention in organizations.
Argument that organizations are political arenas: competing interest groups; scarce resources; coalition building; and exercise of power and influence characterize such environments, and the way things get done (p. 30).
While literature has identified such skills criticality, authors argue what has been missing is an understanding of how the interpersonal style with which the political influence attempts are carried out is absolutely essential to the success of such efforts. The style or execution of the influence behaviors in organizations is a critical missing piece ... represents special type of social competency and astuteness authors refer to as political skill.
Political skill differs from other types of social skills in that is specific to interactions aimed at achieving success in organizations.
Political skill is believed to be inherent to some extent, but can be developed.
Political skill plays facilitative role in effective execution of a number of types of interpersonal behaviors.
Others have argued political skill is one of the most prominent differentiating qualities in women who succeed in managerial careers, thus breaking glass ceiling (p. 33).
Political skill played pivotal role in job performance ratings supervisors made of employees in the job of computer programming at a large bank--not a job expected to involve much social interaction.
Past research found intelligence best predicted task performance and personality traits best predicted contextual performance (job dedication and interpersonal facilitation).
Authors found political skill to be single strongest predictor of all performance ratings, completely dominating personality traits and intelligence, which were not significant predictors of any performance ratings. However, political skill in conjunction with intelligence affected both job performance ratings and salary more than political skill alone.
Authors believe political skill is an important area for human resource development programs ... such as experiental exercises.
role playing and scenario simulations
Organizations, whereas not explicitly recognizing it and labeling it as such, have been selecting and promoting people based upon political skill.
