Leadership Tools: Understanding and Navigating Workplace Politics

Course Description:

If you looked at the title of this class and thought to yourself “yuck, I do not want to get involved in workplace politics” or you feel some negativity toward having to work around the political climate within your organization, then this class is for you. 

Politics in general is often a taboo subject no one wants to talk about due to its complexity and discomfort. Those that engage in workplace politics tend to be viewed as self-serving, toxic, and often misuse the political structure to their advantage.  Students are challenged to begin viewing politics through a positive lens to create healthy and sustainable relationships that can lead to special assignments, promotion and to meet organizational objectives as needed. Having strong political relationships means building trust and influence, the very tenants of leadership.

Politics is simply about building positive relationships and social competence over the course of one’s career. Decision makers need to know from the employee who they are, what they stand for and the work they do; do not leave it up to rumor or the opinion of others to determine if you are the best candidate for a position or if your agency’s needs are relevant. As one moves into administrative positions, existing political astuteness can determine an increase in an agency’s budget, equipment or critically needed personnel. 

This class can be one of the most important leadership classes support personnel, sworn officers and supervisors can take. Learn to successfully build political capital throughout your career with your ultimate career goal in mind. The earlier in a student’s career they build political capital, the more successful they can be when seeking new positions and meeting organizational objectives.

Instructor Bio: Greta Woyciehowsky served 26 years at the Sparks Police Department in Nevada.  She has a strong background in the police hiring and promotional process as well as having served in relevant positions within her agency to include police offer, sergeant, and lieutenant.  Her special assignments included patrol, community policing, traffic, detective, grant writing, internal affairs, watch commander and more.  She had the privilege to serve as the police union president and chief negotiator for one term. 

Greta earned her master's degree in criminology at Boston University and taught Administration of Criminal Justice at the University of Nevada Reno before moving to coaching and consulting.  Greta owns and operates 6 Pillars Consulting, LLC in which she provided training, consulting, and coaching/mentoring.