Survival of the Savvy

December 1, 2004
In this guide to the often slippery realm of office politics, executive coaches Brandon and Seldman champion a politics of "moral means" to "noble ends." However, some of their wisdom has a Machiavellian cast. They recommend avoiding open confrontation with more powerful managers, explain how to network strategically, cite movie godfather Vito Corleone on the importance of veiling your thoughts and detail procedures for getting to your boss with your side of the story before a rival can bad-mouth you. Much of their advice involves the basics of popularity and tact, like their "Balanced Response" technique for inoffensively quashing colleagues' flawed or incomplete ideas. Image and self-presentation are covered, with bullet points on "power wardrobe," posture, vocal style ("err on the side of speed and slightly revved-up volume") and body language (a clenched jaw and dilated pupils give off bad vibes). Sample monologues provide models for the self-promotional, 30-second elevator speech to corporate bigwigs. If nothing else, employees can always "mention top management catchphrases" and "carry around the Wall Street Journal or Harvard Business Review to show general business acumen." Aimed primarily at "under-political" people perennially steamrollered, ostracized or exploited by slicker operators, the book includes lots of "self-talk" mantras ("it's 'networking' and 'relationship-building,' not 'schmoozing'") that readers can recite to overcome their reluctance to play the game. The authors have a good feel for the nitty-gritty of corporate conflict, misbehavior and skullduggery. Their portrait of a business world ruled by intrigue, "buzz" and "savvy" instead of competence is not reassuring, but this engagingly written and reasonably specific primer will help employees navigate it.

November 15, 2004
This work will help employees navigate office politics in almost any kind of setting. Corporate coaching consultants Brandon and Seldman offer practical advice, starting with the assumption that engaging in office politics is vital to one's career. Moreover, they point out that developing positive political skills can have "an ethical organizational impact" as well. Basic suggestions include creative networking, paying attention to one's appearance, and listening to the office buzz. Most significantly, the authors stress the importance of distinguishing the different types of political styles-positive and negative-that are prevalent in the workplace. This is crucial to devising one's own "savvy political style [incorporating] integrity, task competence, and political skill," which facilitates professional growth while enhancing one's corporate reputation. Much of what is presented here has been discussed elsewhere, and while the theoretical examples are good, more real-world examples would have better reinforced the points; cynics might quibble that no amount of role-playing will ever end corporate backstabbing. Despite these minor flaws, this is an important addition to the literature. Recommended for larger public libraries and all business management collections.-Richard Drezen, Washington Post /New York City Bureau

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