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Political Savvy*

The ability to understand and apply the dynamics of influence, the workings of an organization, and decision-making to achieve objectives.

*This competency is part of the Management and Leadership Competencies at UF

Behavior Statements

Proficiency Level 1 - Basic understanding

Identifies basic organizational structure and formal reporting relationships in own area.

Offers examples of formal and informal channels of communications.

Explains the benefits and risks of using informal channels.

Describes characteristics and behaviors valued within the organization.

Proficiency Level 2 - Working experience

Identifies key players, decision makers, and stakeholders relevant to own team or function.

Builds network of contacts in relevant other functions and departments.

Explains what, when and how sensitive information should be communicated.

Obtains and shares information with appropriate stakeholders in other areas.

Provides examples of savvy approaches to successfully solving organizational problems.

Proficiency Level 3 - Extensive experience

Builds win-win alliances and maintains a wide network of colleagues within the organization.

Discusses objectives, key issues and priorities of related functions or departments.

Accurately analyzes issues and determines who needs to be consulted or kept informed.

Appropriately communicates short and long-term activities within own and other functions.

Differentiates acceptable and unacceptable formats for communicating across functions.

Recognizes and effectively addresses politically challenging situations.

Proficiency Level 4 - Subject matter depth and breadth

Predicts impacts, avoids derailments, and pursues actions that are likely to succeed.

Shares information to gain common commitment and understanding in achieving objectives.

Compares and contrasts own organization's 'how to get things done' to others.

Plays an active role in defining and reinforcing savvy organizational effectiveness practices.

Identifies key players and potential actions for high-impact, sensitive situations or issues.

Coaches others in history and future of the organizational culture and being effective within it.

Interview Questions

  • When analyzing an issue, how do you decide who needs to be informed and who does not need to be informed about the situation?
  • Describe a situation when politics within an organization posed a challenge for you and how you addressed it.
  • Give me an example of a situations where you would use formal or informal communication channels.

Titles with Shared Competencies

Assistant Dean Assistant Dean, Student Affairs Assistant Director, Academic Advising Assistant Director, Academic Support Services Assistant Director, Accounting Assistant Director, Administrative Services Assistant Director, Admissions Assistant Director, Analytic Services Assistant Director, Business Services Assistant Director, Career Services Assistant Director, Child Development Assistant Director, Clinical Research Assistant Director, Communications Assistant Director, Conferences Assistant Director, Data Management Assistant Director, Education or Training Programs Assistant Director, Emergency Management Assistant Director, Environmental Health & Safety Assistant Director, Facilities Operations Assistant Director, Finance Assistant Director, Florida Agricultural Experiment Station Assistant Director, Health Care Administration Assistant Director, Human Resources Assistant Director, Marketing Assistant Director, Multipurpose Facility Assistant Director, Museum Operations Assistant Director, Operations Assistant Director, Physical Security Assistant Director, Procurement Assistant Director, Public/Governmental Relations Assistant Director, Real Estate Assistant Director, Research Administration Assistant Director, Safety & Security Assistant Director, Student Affairs Assistant Director, Student Financial Aid Assistant Director, Technology Licensing Assistant Director, University Budgets Assistant Director, University Housing Assistant Director, University Housing Operations Assistant Director, University Housing Residence Life Assistant Director, University Press Assistant University Registrar Associate Dean, Administrative Affairs Associate Dean, Student Affairs Associate Director, Academic Advising Associate Director, Academic Support Services Associate Director, Accounting Associate Director, Administrative Services Associate Director, Admissions Associate Director, Analytic Services Associate Director, Business Services Associate Director, Career Services Associate Director, Child Development Associate Director, Clinical Research Associate Director, Communications Associate Director, Data Management Associate Director, Education or Training Programs Associate Director, Environmental Health & Safety Associate Director, Facilities Operations Associate Director, Finance Associate Director, Health Care Administration Associate Director, Human Resources Associate Director, IT Associate Director, Marketing Associate Director, Museum Operations Associate Director, Operations Associate Director, Procurement Associate Director, Public/Governmental Relations Associate Director, Research Administration Associate Director, Safety & Security Associate Director, Student Affairs Associate Director, Student Financial Aid Associate Director, Student Legal Services Associate Director, Technology Licensing Associate Director, University Housing Associate Director, University Housing Operations Associate Director, University Housing Residence Life Associate Director, University Press Associate University Registrar Chief Information Security Officer Controller Director, Academic Advising Director, Academic Support Services Director, Accounting Director, Administrative Services Director, Admissions Director, Analytic Services Director, Audits Director, Business Services Director, Campus Human Resources Director, Campus IT Director, Career Services Director, Child Development Director, Clinical Research Director, Collaborative Initiatives Director, Communications Director, Education or Training Programs Director, Environmental Health & Safety Director, Facilities Operations Director, Finance Director, Health Care Administration Director, Human Resources Director, Investigations Director, IT Director, Marketing Director, Multipurpose Facility Director, Museum Operations Director, Operations Director, Procurement Director, Public Records Director, Public/Governmental Relations Director, Real Estate Director, Research Administration Director, Safety & Security Director, Sales & Marketing Director, Student Affairs Director, Student Financial Aid Director, Student Legal Services Director, Sustainability Director, University Budgets Director, University Housing Director, University Housing Operations Director, University Housing Residence Life Director, University Press Director, Utilities/Energy Thermal Production Executive Director Financial Officer, SIP Manager, Academic Support Services Manager, Accounting Manager, Assets Manager, Benefits Manager, Box Office Manager, Clinical Research Manager, Employee Relations Manager, Farm Manager, Finance Manager, Genetic Counseling Manager, Health Care Administration Manager, Health Information Manager, Hotel Manager, Human Resources Manager, Human Resources Processing & Records Manager, Immigration Services Manager, Internal Audits Manager, IT Manager, Marine Facilities & Operations Manager, Operations Manager, Postal Services Manager, Procurement Manager, Public/Governmental Relations Manager, Transportation Manager, University Records Manager, Warehouse/Stores Senior Director, Facilities Operations Senior Director, IT Senior Director, Student Affairs Superintendent, Custodial Superintendent, Grounds Superintendent, Maintenance University Architect University Registrar