Political Skill for Project Managers

Development  activities for project managers often focus on building knowledge of project management processes and teaching the technical skills that are useful for project work. Although these elements of project work are necessary, by themselves they are insufficient for project and career success. Much of what makes project work successful are the informal interactions between the project manager and project team members, project sponsors, organizational executives, and critical stakeholders. It is clear from the initial phases of project work during the chartering process or the kickoff meeting that not all stakeholders are in agreement about the necessary activities, timelines, resources, and goals associated with a particular project. It is during these times of substantial uncertainty in project scope, schedule, and definition that politics and political behaviors are most prevalent. In order for project managers to cope successfully with the competing demands of multiple stakeholders, it is important to draw on a substantial reservoir of political skill. Political skill is increasingly seen as a necessary adjunct to process and technical knowledge, yet it concerns an area of soft skills development that some would prefer not to discuss.

One can understand the general aversion to the topic of office politics (e.g., politics = politician), but if you are…