It got me thinking though about politics in leadership – is ticking the “Understanding politics” box one of the leadership competencies? Do you have to be just politically aware or do you have to play the politics to climb the ladder? I would argue the friend I mention above is ‘aware’ only and he’s climbed the ladder by being damn good at what he does and networking well. I’ve seen no evidence of him spending a career playing the game.

There is a school of thought which says that says potentially good leaders will always fail if they are politically naive… the sorts of people who will make decisions based on politics alone, about a direction … as opposed to having the courage of their own convictions. Other aspiring leaders may shy away from causes which are politically tricky and prefer to stay close to what they know.

This video-based e-course on the leadership competencies gives you further food for thought… If you spend more time doing and less time playing the politics can you still succeed as a leader? Is politics part of the leadership competency model?

What do you think? Leave a comment below.

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