Human Resources

Definition of the political savvy competency

The political savvy competency involves the ability to exhibit confidence and professional diplomacy, while effectively relating to people at all levels internally and externally.

The  political savvy competency involves understanding the political environment, positional priorities, roles and responsibilities, understanding external factors impacting the organization and utilizing this knowledge to ensure positive outcomes and mission achievement.

Books and manuals

Click on a title to get the book details, including description, from the Library's catalog system.

• Survival of the Savvy by Rick Brandon 
• Going Corporate by Brad Embree 
• The Manager as Politician by Jerry W. Gilley 
• Secrets to Winning at Office Politics by Marie G. McIntyre 
• TurboCoach by Brian Tracy  

Electronic journal and newspaper articles

All electronic journals and newspaper articles can be searched via the County Library's online database.

• (2006). Top 7 tactics to help professionals succeed amid a politically charged company culture. Business Credit. 108.i9: 38.
• (2005). New joiner: Handling the politics. Chartered Management Institute: Checklists: Personal Effectiveness and Development
• Blass, F, Brouer, R, Perrewe, P, and Ferris, G. (2007). Politics understanding and networking ability as a function of mentoring: the roles of gender and race. Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies. 14.2: 93.
• Brown, T. (2005). Surviving the politics of public administration: A toolkit for assistants. Public Management 87.7: 12.
• Causon, J. (2007). The friendly face of office politics. Accountancy Age.
• Gooden, V. (2007). Cooperation in human service contracting: Effective public managers build cooperative relationships to negotiate agreements with diverse parties. The Public Manager. 36.1: 32.
• Harris, K., Andrews, M., and Kacmar K. (2007). The moderating effects of justice on the relationship between organizational politics and workplace attitudes. Journal of Business and Psychology 22.2: 135.
• Hollington, S. (2008). Leading answers: Simon Hollington suggests how to win friends and influence people in the crucial first few months of a new management role. Financial Management (UK).
• Witko, C., and Newmark, A. (2005). Business mobilization and public policy in the U.S. States. Social Science Quarterly. 86.2: 356.
• Yackee, S. ( 2006). Sweet-talking the fourth branch: The influence of interest group comments on federal agency rulemaking. Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory. 16.1: 103.