EXERCISE 11.1

Reality Testing

Political Savvy

Purpose

To build an understanding of what political savvy is, why it is important, and how to use it.

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40 minutes

Through a step-by-step process, participants define political savvy, build their awareness of why it is important to them, and select one situation in which they will apply political savvy.

Outcomes

• Understand what political savvy is and ways to use it
• Select a situation in which using these skills will help them now

Audience

• Intact teams
• Unaffiliated group
• Individual working with a coach

Facilitator Competencies

Moderate

Materials

• Flip-chart paper, easel, and markers
• Paper and pens

Time Matrix

Activity	Estimated Time
Define political savvy, explore where it is needed, what it is, and how to apply it	20 minutes
In pairs, discuss one application each will make, then debrief as a whole group	20 minutes
Total Time	40 minutes

Instructions

1. Ask what political savvy means to the participants and write key points on the flip chart. A good definition may be somewhat different for different people because of their unique situations. A sample definition from the Senior Executive Service of the U.S. Federal Government is:

Political Savvy: Identifies the internal and external politics that impact the work of the organization. Perceives organizational and political reality and acts accordingly.

This is a component of Competency Five: Building Coalitions, www.opm.gov/ses/recruitment/ecq.asp#ecq5.

2. Guide participants in recognizing that political savvy is a component of reality testing. In order to explain reality testing, refer to the description in Part Two on reality testing, including the statement that: reality testing determines how clearly we discern what is actually happening in the world around us. We have learned to interpret and color our objective experience with all sorts of desires, fears, and distortions. In order to avoid mistaking our overly negative or overly positive perceptions of experience for reality, we must develop reliable processes for confirming the objective correspondence of our feelings, perceptions, and thoughts with the immediate situation.

When someone is applying sound reality testing he or she will be keeping a centered and grounded perspective on what is happening, noticing what is most important to do next and will be paying attention to the key individuals to work with for strategic success. These are the components of acting with political savvy.

3. Ask for examples of when participants need political savvy. Note that while it is thought of in workplace situations, it can be important in many other applications such as community projects like creating an Earth Day event, a fundraising walk, or a political rally. Write key ideas on the flip chart. Examples from the workplace could be developing relationships with peers, understanding why the boss is giving so much priority to a certain project, or recognizing the role of their organization in the community.

4. Hand out paper and ask each person to write three situations in which he or she needs to apply political savvy and to write about how he or she is or did go about using it.

5. Now explore what political savvy is. Ask participants to name components of political savvy. The list could include:

• Approaching problems with a clear perception of the multiple relevant considerations both from internal and external perspectives
• Seeking to understand what the underlying meaning of the matter is to key individuals or groups—remember that often what is first said is just the surface of what is really at stake
• Noticing alternative approaches to the desired outcome and factoring in possible consequences associated with the alternatives

6. Now ask participants to develop guidelines for applying political savvy. Example guidelines might include:

• Be mindful of using ethical practices.
• Ask questions and listen carefully to understand the actual desired outcome.
• Clarify the rules and expectations.
• Build coalitions to expand strength and capacity.
• Seek to de-politicize the matter rather than stir it up more.
• Build relationships with people who can mentor you and help you build connections.
• Consider the stakeholders in the matter and pay attention to their needs and influence.
• Watch for hot and cold buttons.

7. Ask participants to form pairs and to each identify one area in which each needs to apply his or her political savvy and describe how he or she will go about it. Bring everyone back to debrief the discussions and ask questions.