Let's get one thing straight - there is a big difference between being politically savvy and being political! Being referred to as 'political' is really just a polite way of saying that person works to their own agenda irrespective of others around them, is manipulative and most likely should not to be trusted. Politically savvy on the other hand involves getting things done with the least hassle for the maximum benefit. Confusing these 2 concepts is really common and leads many to proclaim they're political or that they reject politics altogether. But taking this stance isn't necessarily good either and could actually stymie your career and quash any career aspirations you might have had!

Why you need to be politically savvy:

Organisations are complex entities that house people with strong egos and differing agendas. But lets face it we all have a tendency to protect our little corner and work to defend it from attack and influence from outsiders!! Without descending into gloom there are many traps and dead ends in organisations, with more ways to turn wrong than right. But the politically savvy individual already knows this and accepts it as part of organisational life and deals with it. So let's get another thing straight if you're to survive in an organisation today and want to advance your career you'll need to be politically savvy. Here are some tips to hone or accelerate your political savviness:

People sensitive: The politically savvy are good at reading other people and anticipating how they'll react. They're sensitive to the physical cues of others eg crossed arms (defensive) etc and work hard at reading non-verbal cues, and making others comfortable.

Know the organisation: They know the organisation, who the gatekeepers are, who controls the flow of information and resources, how to get things done and who to go to get things done effectively and efficiently. They anticipate the requirements of a given situation and adapt their style, tactics and skills to suit - not in a manipulative way mind you, but in a politically savvy way!

Seek out the toughest critic: Comfortable around senior management, politically savvy individuals often go to their toughest critic first to hone their ideas and get the worst case scenario out of the way first. This is why they always seem to have the edge over others!

Anticipate trouble: Often the 'political' person fails to consider the consequences of their actions, whereas the politically savvy individual because of their superior knowledge of the organisation (see above) knows where the pitfalls are and maps out their approach accordingly.

Build flexible plans: The politically savvy always have a plan and then a contingency plan. They're always ready for change and expect the unexpected and are personally flexible.

So don't become political, become politically astute!