Your Day-to-Day Political Awareness Playbook
Knowing the game isn’t enough… you’ve got to play it. Here’s how to make these skills stick.
Make This Second Nature
Stop Flying Blind
Before any big decision, ask:
- Who wins/loses if we do this?
- Whose ego or territory are we stepping on?
- A good way to do this is to keep a “power map” sticky note on your desk. Update it every Monday.
🕵️‍♀️ Listen Like a Spy
Active listening hack: After meetings, jot down:
- What wasn’t said
- Who seemed frustrated but stayed quiet
- Watch for code words:
“In theory…” = “This will never happen”
“Let me circle back…” = “I need cover from my boss”
The Tightrope Walk
Be Real Without Being NaĂŻve
Good: “I know budgets are tight, so where should we focus to get the most bang for your buck?”
Bad: “Just be honest with me!” (They won’t.)
⛔ Ethical Lines You Don’t Cross
Manipulation: “I heard [competitor] is interested…” when they’re not.
Healthy Influence: “Here’s how this helps you hit your [specific] goal.”
How to Know It’s Working 🎳
✅ Fewer surprises (That “out of nowhere” rejection? Now you see it coming)
✅ Easier negotiations (You’re addressing their real concerns, not surface ones)
✅ People confide in you (When colleagues start sharing gossip, you’ve arrived)
➡️ Next
Time to move onto the final EQ competence – Relationship Management