L.E.A.R.N. To Play Workplace Politics by Monique A.J. Smith
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Let's Play I do, but I do not want to play politics. "Politics is not a dirty word; learn the Game, then Play to Win." To assist you in Strategizing your Game Plan, I created this framework L.E.A.R.N. ™
L is for Listen. Listening to what others say is important to them. Then you will know their why and motivation for being in the game. You can decide if this is someone you have synergy with or not. So, listen more than you talk.
E is for Earn Trust. Building trust can be with a partner or an opponent because you want to appear as a worthy opponent. Study the agenda and the pros and cons of issues. Be a student of the game. So, you will bring value to the table. If you are on a team and the supervisor makes the moves, be an asset.
A is for Allow. Allow the play to unfold without your move. Sometimes you let your book in spades get cut, so you can pull the trump cards out to win the next couple of plays. Also, to build trust with others, let them win sometimes and earn the spotlight.
R is for Relationships. Build relationships instead of rehashing a defeat. More on relationships later.
N is for Notice. Notice patterns to predict the actions of others so you can act accordingly.
Now, more about relationships; when you feel helpless, build another relationship by studying or learning directly from a leader you admire. Select someone with a similar circumstance and observe their tactics, education, and exposure. All great leaders have done this. M.L.K. and Gandhi are great examples. M.L.K. faced severe obstacles in moving an agenda for Civil Rights. He needed to make an immediate impact with lasting results. He knew it would be difficult and would suffer losses. But would it be the right play to implement Gandhi's non-violence approach to achieving rights for Black people? So, he read all he could about his methods and connected with other like-minded leaders in his training.
If the relationship is someone you can meet in person do that. Listen to what is important to them and their associations, and request Facetime. Do not ask, "Can you be my mentor?" Instead, ask if there are there any projects I can assist with?
A couple of years ago, I spoke at an Entrepreneur Conference about the community of Black Women in Athletic Administrators that we created as the result of the podcast. After I came off the stage, someone in the audience said I want you to meet my niece; she will be here tomorrow. The next day, I met Kyla Smallwood, a 2-time Delaware State University graduate with a Sport Management degree. We talked, and I shared my formal programs, the Advance Academy, a subscription-based group coaching that includes a video vault of previous training and a once-a-month mastermind Zoom call. The second was monthly Executive one-on-one Coaching zoom calls. She had someone to pay for this for her, but instead offered for her to come to Hampton and volunteer to assist with a basketball tournament, that I was providing logistics support. She accepted, and I observed her in action and gained more insight into her aspirations, and we strategized her next move. The next move was to volunteer at Virginia Union University near her current job at the bank. She shared her family knew the compliance director there!!!! We often don't realize the relationships we already have in our immediate circle. She did just that, and when the compliance director relocated to another University, she hired Smallwood to accompany her as a Compliance Coordinator.
Sticking with the playing spade’s theme, when building relationships with Face cards, those cards that can help you win the hand and the "issue at hand."
To build a relationship with me, visit StrategySessionswithMoniqueAJSmith.as.me
To join the Monthly Mastermind with Expert Guests visit www.advancewithmoniqueajsmith.info
L is for Listen. Listening to what others say is important to them. Then you will know their why and motivation for being in the game. You can decide if this is someone you have synergy with or not. So, listen more than you talk.
E is for Earn Trust. Building trust can be with a partner or an opponent because you want to appear as a worthy opponent. Study the agenda and the pros and cons of issues. Be a student of the game. So, you will bring value to the table. If you are on a team and the supervisor makes the moves, be an asset.
A is for Allow. Allow the play to unfold without your move. Sometimes you let your book in spades get cut, so you can pull the trump cards out to win the next couple of plays. Also, to build trust with others, let them win sometimes and earn the spotlight.
R is for Relationships. Build relationships instead of rehashing a defeat. More on relationships later.
N is for Notice. Notice patterns to predict the actions of others so you can act accordingly.
Now, more about relationships; when you feel helpless, build another relationship by studying or learning directly from a leader you admire. Select someone with a similar circumstance and observe their tactics, education, and exposure. All great leaders have done this. M.L.K. and Gandhi are great examples. M.L.K. faced severe obstacles in moving an agenda for Civil Rights. He needed to make an immediate impact with lasting results. He knew it would be difficult and would suffer losses. But would it be the right play to implement Gandhi's non-violence approach to achieving rights for Black people? So, he read all he could about his methods and connected with other like-minded leaders in his training.
If the relationship is someone you can meet in person do that. Listen to what is important to them and their associations, and request Facetime. Do not ask, "Can you be my mentor?" Instead, ask if there are there any projects I can assist with?
A couple of years ago, I spoke at an Entrepreneur Conference about the community of Black Women in Athletic Administrators that we created as the result of the podcast. After I came off the stage, someone in the audience said I want you to meet my niece; she will be here tomorrow. The next day, I met Kyla Smallwood, a 2-time Delaware State University graduate with a Sport Management degree. We talked, and I shared my formal programs, the Advance Academy, a subscription-based group coaching that includes a video vault of previous training and a once-a-month mastermind Zoom call. The second was monthly Executive one-on-one Coaching zoom calls. She had someone to pay for this for her, but instead offered for her to come to Hampton and volunteer to assist with a basketball tournament, that I was providing logistics support. She accepted, and I observed her in action and gained more insight into her aspirations, and we strategized her next move. The next move was to volunteer at Virginia Union University near her current job at the bank. She shared her family knew the compliance director there!!!! We often don't realize the relationships we already have in our immediate circle. She did just that, and when the compliance director relocated to another University, she hired Smallwood to accompany her as a Compliance Coordinator.
Sticking with the playing spade’s theme, when building relationships with Face cards, those cards that can help you win the hand and the "issue at hand."
To build a relationship with me, visit StrategySessionswithMoniqueAJSmith.as.me
To join the Monthly Mastermind with Expert Guests visit www.advancewithmoniqueajsmith.info
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