Savvy

Office politics increases in times of change, particularly when people are fearful - and rising unemployment, austerity measures and global financial uncertainty hardly make for a stable, positive work environment.

Jane Clarke defines "savvy" as the ability to deal effectively with politics at work, and its value as a commodity is increasing. Research carried out by executive search firms has long identified political savvy as a critical skill for those who want to progress up the career ladder. Clarke dissects the art of office politics by establishing what constitutes political savvy and who are the effective office politicians.

Practical and insightful, Savvy covers the skills needed to deal with difficult situations, including: the art of influence; how to understand and handle conflict; developing the right mindset; managing the boss; dealing with a bully. With case studies and examples, Savvy is the essential office survival guide that will help you to boost your career and secure your professional success.

Jane Clarke is an author and director at the business psychology consulting company, Nicholson McBride. She has worked in consulting for over 20 years and her clients include London Business School, UBS and J Walter Thompson. She contributes to national newspapers, appears on TV and radio business media, and has written for the Financial Times, the Guardian and the Independent. Clarke is also the author of Office Politics, Wired Working, and Resilience.