Political sense -- can it be taught?

Pesky

By political, I'm talking about office dynamics and power struggles.  In other words, how you know to be deferential to someone who might be lower level or same level but you recognize as a power player in your company; how you might know who you can be blunt with and who you need to massage the answer a bit so it's not so harsh; how to keep on someone's good side and whose good side you should worry about staying on; etc.   I was talking about this with a sr HR person and she opined that she thought it was something intrinsic with certain folks and is not something that can be learned.  While I think there is some merit in her argument, as some people seem to have a natural aptitude for being politically savvy, I think at some point it is learned and just depends on the person's recognition of their situation and arrogance level. 

What do you think? 

aglenn

I agree with LibraryChica.  I think some coaching can definitely improve someone's skills, but it's more of an art than a science and some people just get it better than others.  Like how I can take all the piano lessons I want but I will never get beyond a pretty basic proficiency level because I just don't have that talent.  You know?

KathrynMD

I think this is a "skill" that you pick up as a child by being empathetic to others and has a lot to do with your social success as a child and adult.  

I'm sure you can improve as an adult w/ some coaching, but if you haven't been paying attention to small social cues for 20 or 30 years, its unlikely you will pick it up.