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Mark Antonucci

Make the most of your opportunity to make a meaningful contribution where you work - and show your talent and leadership ability in the process.

This course is focused on a "must-have" skill for all those wishing to succeed in the organizational setting – the ability to influence effectively. The intent is to empower you to move your creative and productive ideas forward in your organization, and in doing so, enhance your stature and career potential.

Read more

Make the most of your opportunity to make a meaningful contribution where you work - and show your talent and leadership ability in the process.

This course is focused on a "must-have" skill for all those wishing to succeed in the organizational setting – the ability to influence effectively. The intent is to empower you to move your creative and productive ideas forward in your organization, and in doing so, enhance your stature and career potential.

Influence is arguably the most valuable asset you can possess inside an organization. If you are effective at influencing, the sky's the limit. But...as we know full well, when we attempt to influence and move productive ideas forward, we often fail…. fail to see our proposed improvements, our potential innovations, ever take shape.

Most of us will often chalk our failure up to "politics" or "the powers that be."

This happens all too frequently.

But is there more to it than that?

Each time you don't succeed is a lost opportunity… for the organization, yes, but especially for you, the one attempting to influence.

What if you could improve your chances of success?  Make the most of these opportunities?

We believe you can by learning how to maximize your influence. Trust me, we're not talking about employing high pressure tactics either. Quite the contrary...

Our research found people highly effective at influencing at all levels of the organization. They turned out not to be any more intelligent or otherwise gifted than most - but they did have something extra. They had a "savvy" - an understanding of how to influence decision-makers. And because "politics" is all about groups making decisions we call it  "political savvy". 

What they told us about this “political savvy” ability we are passing on to you. Straight from the horse's mouth.

Some of what they say may be quite surprising to you. We believe everyone who works inside an organization, large or small, can benefit from hearing what they told us.

And contrary to some popular misconceptions, those that have shown to have "political savvy" do so while practicing ethical and effective leadership. Political Savvy is also about being the ultimate team player – but one who is willing to use influence to achieve outcomes good for the organization.What you will learn here will enable you to: - Succeed more often when you attempt to influence- Have greater impact- Feel more confident, empowered, effective- Utilize more of your energy, intellect and creativity- Build support for ideas you care about- Raise your game

So don't sell yourself short. You can move the needle....and who knows how far?

You can be

a leader

a difference maker

an impact player

right there in the organization you work for.

By improving that which will allow you to lead, make a difference and have impact....

Your political savvy ability.

So come join us...

It will be time well-spent. -

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • How "political savvy" is all about ethical and effective leadership....
  • The mindset needed to have impact
  • Why influencing in organizational settings is so different and difficult!
  • Self-imposed beliefs that stop us in our tracks
  • Savvy strategies that work
  • How to maximize your influence
  • How to write your own "success story"

Syllabus

Identify what we mean by the term "politically savvy"
Introduction: Origins of this Course
Political Savvy: It's All About Ethical, Effective Leadership
Read more
The Politically Savvy Mindset: Getting Others on Board
What Inhibits Us: I'm Not Political, It's Not My Job, It's Wrong!
apply influencing strategies used by the savvy
Savvy Strategies Part 1
Savvy Strategies Part 2
learn how to build critical mass of support across the organization for an idea they care about
Introducing Extendor5 Project
Recommended Strategy for Extendor5
Develop a mindset and toolset for maximizing your impact across the organization
Applying Savvy Strategies to Your Own Project
Your Mindset is the One that Counts!
Writing Your Narrative (Success Story!)
Closing
Revisiting "Testing Your Savvy IQ"

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Focuses on influence, which is a valuable asset for moving ideas forward and enhancing career potential within an organization
Emphasizes ethical and effective leadership as a core component of political savvy, dispelling misconceptions about manipulative tactics
Teaches strategies to build support for ideas, which can help learners become more effective team players and achieve organizational goals
Examines self-imposed beliefs that may hinder influence, which can help learners overcome personal barriers to success
Requires learners to identify a project to apply the strategies, which may require additional time and effort outside of the course

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Political Savvy: Maximizing Your IMPACT in the Organization with these activities:
Review 'Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion'
Gain a deeper understanding of the psychological principles underlying effective influence.
Show steps
  • Read the book 'Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion'.
  • Identify the six principles of influence.
  • Reflect on how these principles apply to your workplace.
Review Organizational Behavior Concepts
Solidify your understanding of fundamental organizational behavior concepts to better grasp the dynamics of influence.
Browse courses on Organizational Behavior
Show steps
  • Review notes from previous organizational behavior courses.
  • Read articles on organizational structure and culture.
  • Take a practice quiz on key OB concepts.
Identify a Project for 'Extendor5'
Apply the course's savvy strategies to a real-world project within your organization.
Show steps
  • Identify a project you want to influence.
  • Define the desired outcome of the project.
  • Identify key stakeholders and decision-makers.
  • Develop a preliminary influence strategy.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Document Your Influence Strategy
Articulate your influence strategy in a clear and compelling document.
Show steps
  • Write a detailed plan outlining your influence strategy.
  • Include specific tactics and communication approaches.
  • Identify potential obstacles and mitigation strategies.
  • Share your plan with a trusted colleague for feedback.
Role-Play Influence Scenarios
Practice your influence skills in a safe and supportive environment.
Show steps
  • Find a partner from the course or your workplace.
  • Develop several influence scenarios based on real-world situations.
  • Take turns playing the roles of influencer and decision-maker.
  • Provide constructive feedback to each other.
Write a 'Success Story' Reflection
Reflect on your influence efforts and document your successes and lessons learned.
Show steps
  • Review your influence project and its outcomes.
  • Write a narrative describing your approach and results.
  • Highlight key insights and lessons learned.
  • Share your success story with others.
Review 'Political Intelligence'
Gain a deeper understanding of organizational politics and how to navigate them effectively.
Show steps
  • Read the book 'Political Intelligence'.
  • Identify key strategies for navigating organizational politics.
  • Reflect on how these strategies can be applied in your workplace.

Career center

Learners who complete Political Savvy: Maximizing Your IMPACT in the Organization will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Project Manager
A project manager oversees the planning, execution, and completion of specific projects, often requiring strong influence to ensure alignment of different teams and stakeholders. This course, which focuses on maximizing influence and building support for ideas, is critical for those wishing to succeed as a project manager. The course specifically addresses how to move productive ideas forward in an organization and build support, skills that a project manager uses daily. Knowing how to use political savvy to your advantage is not just about getting your own way, but about building the best outcome for your own projects and for the organization as a whole. The curriculum material will help a project manager to have greater impact and feel more effective. The module concerning 'writing your own success story' will help project managers report their progress and value to the company.
Management Consultant
A management consultant analyzes organizational problems and recommends solutions, requiring them to influence clients and internal teams. This course, 'Political Savvy: Maximizing Your IMPACT in the Organization,' is a great fit for anyone looking to move into such a role. One of the main tools of a management consultant is the ability to persuade others that their advice is sound and useful. The modules on savvy strategies will be very helpful for anyone hoping to influence in organizational settings. The course's emphasis on ethical and effective leadership aligns perfectly with the values needed to succeed as a management consultant. This course can also help you learn how to build support across the organization for your ideas, an essential skill for those in this type of role.
Team Lead
A team lead is responsible for guiding a team toward common goals, often needing to influence team members and stakeholders. This course, with its emphasis on building support for ideas and moving creative ideas forward, is vital for the team lead. A team lead benefits when they know how to use influence and political savvy. The course addresses many of the challenges that a team lead will face, such as overcoming resistance to change. The module about applying savvy strategies to your own project helps build essential leadership skills. This course will help a team lead enhance their stature and career potential. By taking this course, a team lead can raise their game and lead more effectively.
Product Manager
A product manager is responsible for the strategy, roadmap, and execution of a product, which requires influence across different departments within the organization. The ability to effectively influence stakeholders is key for product managers, and this course, which includes teaching people how to maximize their impact in the organization, will help you take your product from idea to reality. The course module in writing your own narrative will help product managers communicate the importance of their product's road map to their stakeholders. This course focuses on how to move productive ideas forward in an organization and enhance your career potential, which will be key in becoming a successful product manager. Product managers will benefit from this course by being more empowered and effective.
Change Management Specialist
A change management specialist helps organizations adapt to new processes, technologies, or structures, requiring them to effectively influence stakeholders at all levels to embrace change. This position is all about influencing others and maximizing impact, which align with the core lessons of this course. The course material about overcoming limiting beliefs, for instance, directly matches the skill set needed by a change management specialist. The module on savvy strategies will be very helpful in building support for new initiatives. This course helps to build a mindset and toolset for maximizing your impact across the organization, which is essential for this role. This course is particularly well suited for a change management specialist, who will learn how to empower others and have a bigger impact.
Program Manager
A program manager oversees multiple related projects, requiring strong influence to align various teams and resources. The ability to effectively influence is a must for anyone in a program manager role and this course is focused on empowering individuals to move creative and productive ideas forward. The course helps to build influence which the program manager will need. The modules on savvy strategies and applying them to your own project are especially useful. This will be time well spent for anyone wishing to succeed as a program manager, as the course will help you enhance your stature and career potential.
Business Development Manager
A business development manager is responsible for generating new opportunities, which requires them to influence both internal teams and external clients. This course on political savvy is designed for those wishing to succeed in influencing others. The course teaches strategies to use to move ideas forward and to build trust and buy-in, both of which are essential in a business development manager role. The mindset needed to have impact in business development is identical to that taught in this course. The ability to be politically savvy will help a business development manager be more effective and empowered. Business development managers will be able to use the material on influencing ethically and effectively to raise their game.
Human Resources Manager
A human resources manager develops and implements HR policies and initiatives, needing to influence the workforce to understand and adopt those policies. This course, which emphasizes effective influence and ethical leadership, will be of great help for an HR manager. The ability to build support for ideas and to have greater impact is all part of the HR manager role. This course addresses many of the common HR challenges, such as overcoming resistance to change. The course modules will help any HR manager more fully utilize their energy and creativity and feel more effective. With increased political savvy, an HR manager will enhance their career potential.
Operations Manager
An operations manager oversees the day-to-day activities of an organization or department and needs to influence team members to achieve operational efficiencies. This course discusses how to maximize your influence and move productive ideas forward. This course may be useful for an operations manager, who will be able to learn how to utilize effective leadership skills. The ability to build support for ideas, which is also included in this course, will help an operations manager develop their role and have a positive impact on the organization. The savvy strategies taught in this course will help an operations manager raise their game.
Sales Manager
A sales manager leads a team of sales professionals, requiring them to influence their team to achieve targets, and also to influence clients. This course, which teaches people how to maximize their impact in the organization, may be useful for a sales manager. Knowing how to influence is key for any sales manager, and this course provides important insight into ethical and effective leadership. The savvy strategies discussed in this course will be helpful for sales managers, as they often face resistance and must overcome objections. This course may help a sales manger more effectively use their energy and intellect. Sales managers will benefit from this course by being more empowered.
Training and Development Manager
A training and development manager is responsible for designing and implementing learning programs, which requires them to influence stakeholders to adopt and support these programs. This course may be useful for a training and development manager. The course focuses on how to move productive ideas forward in an organization, which directly corresponds to the work of a training and development manager. The module on mindset may help a training and development manager better navigate the complexities of working with different teams. Knowing how to be politically savvy within an organization may enhance their stature and career potential.
Nonprofit Director
A nonprofit director leads a charitable organization, working with staff, volunteers, and communities. This requires an ability to influence people and move ideas forward in an organization. The course focuses on maximizing influence and building support for ideas for a cause, making it potentially relevant for a nonprofit director. The course teaches how to be politically savvy and how to be a team player, which a nonprofit director must be. The modules on ethical leadership will be particularly relevant for those in this field. This course helps build the foundation for nonprofit directors to have a greater impact.
Public Relations Specialist
A public relations specialist manages the public image of an organization and needs to influence public opinion and stakeholders. This course, while not directly related to marketing or communication, may be helpful due to parts of the course being about moving ideas forward. The module on 'writing your own success story' will help the public relations specialist communicate effectively. This course emphasizes having a greater impact, which is a key skill for a public relations specialist. By taking this course, a public relations specialist may be able to better build support for ideas that they care about. The course will help them be more confident and effective.
Academic Administrator
An academic administrator manages academic programs and departments at an educational institution, needing to influence faculty and staff. This course, which addresses how to maximize your impact within an organization, may be useful for an academic administrator. The course explores how to be politically savvy, which an academic administrator can use to move ideas forward in their institution. The material on how to be an effective team player is valuable for an academic administrator. The modules on having greater impact and feeling more effective may help those in academic administration.
Research Scientist
A research scientist conducts scientific research and needs to influence peers and stakeholders to gain support for their projects. While the primary focus of this role is research, the ability to influence others is also critical. Though this course is not specifically tailored for scientists, some modules may be useful to help them promote their work within the organization or institution. This will be relevant during fundraising efforts or in winning grants to support their projects. This course may also help a research scientist by showing them how to be more effective and confident. The main focus, however, of a research scientist's job is in the laboratory, not persuading others.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Political Savvy: Maximizing Your IMPACT in the Organization.
Cornerstone text on the psychology of influence and persuasion. It explores six key principles that drive people to say 'yes'. Understanding these principles can significantly enhance your ability to influence others ethically and effectively within an organization. This book provides a strong theoretical foundation for the practical strategies discussed in the course.
Provides a practical guide to navigating organizational politics. It offers strategies for building relationships, understanding power dynamics, and influencing decisions. This book is valuable for those seeking to enhance their political savvy and advance their careers. It complements the course by providing real-world examples and actionable advice.

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