The Politics of Promotion: How High-Achieving Women Get Ahead and Stay Ahead

By Bonnie Marcus

I'll be the first to admit I hate the idea of politics in the workplace; however, I know it's alive and well in organizations and all the hard work you can do will only get you so far unless you're also politically savvy. I haven’t been politically savvy and my career has stalled as a result. Unfortunately, I would say it's too late for me, but for younger women (25 to 45), this book could change the trajectory of your career.

Early on Marcus talks about how women need the political will and the political skill to succeed if executive management is your goal. And, she uses each chapter of the book to cover one aspect of developing political savvy. She says you need to:

• Know your Value Proposition. Marcus says most of us don’t truly understand what we bring to the table. And, if you’re waiting on someone to promote you, you’re wasting your time. You need to know how to promote yourself and your team. Self-promotion is a leadership skill. Once you know your value proposition, then you can align your value with the upper management’s goals, which lets them know you’re willing to help. Several examples are given on how to demonstrate value proposition.
  
  
• Observe workplace dynamics. Workplace dynamics will affect your current position and future positions you may wish to have. You need to identify champions and allies and align yourself with those who have power and influence. You also need to understand the culture. Marcus says you’re looking for the people who influence those in command as well as the one who has the power. Why is this important? Because if you have the respect of these people, you get respect throughout the organization. You also need to know the hidden rules, which may vary from department to department. If you know what the sacred rules are then you won’t accidentally break them. Culture can vary within an organization too.
  
  
• Engage in strategic networking. It helps you get ahead and stay ahead. A strategic network can help promote you and refer you for opportunities, and networks can provide critical information about the workplace. Marcus encourages you to identify the people who can help you operationally, developmentally, and strategically. They may overlap, but it’s important to know these people. She also encourages you to develop an external network as well because you’re next big career move may require you to leave the organization you’re in now.
  
  
• Find sponsors. They can advocate for you. Sponsors can get you assignments that will show others how talented you are. Whether there is a formal sponsorship or not, you need to find a sponsor. She also encourages readers to find mentors.
  
  
• Utilize executive coaching. This can help you overcome the obstacles you may encounter on the executive track.
  

While the majority of the book is written to help women reach senior/executive management levels, the last chapter is all about how the tools outlined are necessary even after the top levels are achieved. In other words, you may learn how to be politically savvy and it may get you the top job, but you have to maintain it even after you reach the top.

There are many real life examples that show how women have been successful once they recognized the power of politics and made becoming skillful in politics a priority.

It's an interesting read and the information makes sense.