It's All Politics: Winning in a World Where Hard Work and Talent Aren't Enough

By Kathleen Kelley Reardon

Book Overview

FromIt's All Politics Like business in general, politics is not a spectator sport. You cannot afford to be apolitical at work if you have any aspirations for advancement. The only way to avoid politics is to avoid people-by finding an out-of-the-way corner where you can do your job. Of course, it's the same job you'll likely be doing for the rest of your career. In any job, when you reach a certain level of technical competence, politics is what makes all the difference with regard to success. At that point, it is indeed all politics. Everyday brilliant people take a backseat to their politically adept colleagues by failing to win crucial support for their ideas. Sometimes politics involves going around or bending rules, but more typically it's about positioning your ideas in a favorable light, and knowing what to say, and how and when to say it.… Keep in mind that people benefit from perpetuating the image of politics as something you either know or you don't. Ignore them. Political acumen is largely learned from observation. And then it's a matter of practice, practice, practice. When a journalist suggested that golfing great Gary Player was very lucky, he replied: "It's funny, but the more I practice, the luckier I get." The same is true of politics.An indispensable guide to mastering the ins and outs of office politics-the single most important factor in getting ahead in your career As management professor and consultant Kathleen Reardon explains in her new book,It's All Politics, talent and hard work alone will not get you to the top. What separates the winners from the losers in corporate life is politics. As Reardon explains, the most talented and accomplished employees often take a backseat to their politically adept coworkers, losing ground in the race to get ahead-sometimes even losing their jobs. Why? Because they've failed to manage the important relationships with the people who can best reward their creativity and intelligence. To determine whether you need a crash course in Office Politics 101, ask yourself the following questions: Do I get credit for my ideas? Do I know how to deal with a difficult colleague? Do I get the plum assignments? Do I have a mentor? Do I say no gracefully and pick my battles wisely? Am I in the loop? Reardon has interviewed hundreds of employees, from successful veterans to aspiring hopefuls, examining why some people who work hard and effectively at their jobs fall behind, while those who are adept at "reading the office tea leaves" forge ahead. Being politically savvy doesn't mean being unethical or devious. At heart, it's about listening to and relating to others, and making choices that advance everyone's goals. Like it or not, when it comes to work, it'sallpolitics. And politics is all about knowing what to say, when to say it, and who to say it to.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385507577
• ISBN13: 9780385507578
• Release Date: June 2005
• Publisher: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.3" x 0.9" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Insightful and powerful

This book is down to earth and practical which I find refreshing coming from a Ph.D. This is a fantastic book for providing insights into what you might not think about in the workplace - the politics swirliing all around you. I worked really hard and smart but I did not get ahead as fast as some of my peers - Oh, yeah, politics! How to understand them, whether you want to play them or not is essential!

Real Life Communication Handbook

After 29 years in corporate world and 4 years working in public schools, I see this book as a must-read for twenty somethings and an excellent refresher for those looking back and wondering how to be sharper and more effective in their current careers. The value of It's All Politics is not only the specific relationship building skills it promotes...intution, insight, persuasion...but most importantly, it tells HOW to develop these skills. A practical tool for relationships at work and in every sector of life. Of particular interest to me was the chapter on Positive Politics, and the discussion of mutual respect and virtue in the office. Fills a void often found today...Don't miss this final chapter.

Great Read!

I wish I had read it earlier in my career and recommend everyone read it, especially women. Having worked in a man's world (law enforcement) I especially enjoyed the chapter on "Political Power." My children will read this book before they start college !

Vicki Whiting, Ph.D.

I read this book with an eye to adopt the book as an MBA text for my Power, Politics and Influence class, and ended up taking personal notes while at the same time assigning the book to my students. Dr. Reardon introduces the concept of 'political intelligence' in a credible, well reasoned and approachable manner, which make the 15 clearly articulated political advantages straightforward to understand and useful to develop in establishing one's own 'political intelligence.' The book integrates personal experience, research and stories in such a way as to teach the reader how to navigate "Office Politics 101." The book was meaningful for helping to develop my personal political savvy, even after teaching and studying the topic for years.

It is about time...

...that someone wrote a book for the politically under prepared at work. The politics of the workplace can quickly become overwhelming and your future often hangs in the balance. "It's All Politics" offers a focused, real world scenario guide for the knock down drag out, laugh in the face of death world of workplace politics. Got problems in this area? This book is a great place to start!