Using Political Skill to Maximize Work Relationships

This white paper presents research conducted by the Center for Creative Leadership on the concept of political skill and its significance in leadership. Political skill is defined as the ability to maximize and leverage relationships to achieve organizational, team, and individual goals. The paper outlines four distinct practices that leaders can utilize: social awareness, interpersonal influence, networking, and sincerity. Each practice is described in detail, explaining how they contribute to effective leadership and the management of work relationships. The research also examines the extent to which leaders apply these practices and how their usage varies by gender and job level. Findings indicate that sincerity is the most commonly used practice among leaders, followed by interpersonal influence, social awareness, and networking. The paper concludes by emphasizing the importance of political skill in enhancing leader effectiveness and fostering collaboration within organizations.