Charm, passivity, wisdom and ego: the choreography of influence
Many professionals pride themselves on being above politics, but politics are a reality of all organisations, whether acknowledged or not. Politics shape decisions, define who is consulted and determine which voices carry weight.
Political skill is a form of intelligence you can cultivate. By understanding the system, honouring your values and acting with intention, you shape how your reputation grows. Influence determines whether you are merely present or meaningfully powerful. Use it well.
Beyond the talking head
Elevating L&D beyond talking heads and tick boxes.
Traditional training formats, especially in large organisations, often struggle to keep pace with the needs of modern learners. Static modules, synthetic avatar videos and one-size-fits-all workshops rarely spark curiosity or drive meaningful change. But the opportunity to rethink learning is enormous. With the right tools and mindset, L&D can evolve from a delivery mechanism into a strategic partner to performance, innovation and retention.
Managing stakeholders wisely
Stakeholder management is often framed as a rational endeavour: identify interests, map influence, build support. But seasoned leaders know it’s rarely that tidy. Navigating stakeholders requires emotional intelligence, ethical clarity, and political dexterity. That’s where the Baddeley and James political skills model comes in. Are you a Fox, Owl, Sheep or Donkey… and who are you dealing with?
Turning managers into leaders
The traditional management model focuses on ensuring people do what’s expected of them. Leadership begins where supervision ends, at the point where people feel deeply connected to the purpose behind their work. When we shift from managing outputs to aligning around values, goals, and meaning, we see a culture emerge where performance is fuelled from within.