How Cultural and Emotional Intelligence Drive Career Growth
As a leader, there will be times when members of your team will have vastly differing perspectives, each with their own idea of what the right thing to do is. While it’s tempting to pull rank and issue instructions under your own directive, taking a more diplomatic approach and gaining the buy-in of your team could result in a much better outcome all round and help to build a more positive corporate culture. You might even uncover a better idea than any of you could have imagined alone.
At a recent WeQual Executives event, ‘Navigating Corporate Culture,’ we discussed the importance of being relationship ‘savvy’ in the face of corporate politics.
Our expert guest speaker, Courtney Camp Enloe, Executive Vice President and General Counsel at Bio-Rad Laboratories, shared some invaluable insights on the power of building trust, nurturing vital relationships, and staying authentic, however large-scale your business transactions are.
Conversely, the consequences of not being relationship savvy for large organizations are hard to ignore, from team silos, power struggles, and misalignment of goals, to decreased employee engagement, fractured teams, and missed business opportunities.
“You don’t have to think of it as some Machiavellian chess match. It’s about relationships, understanding the culture, and finding ways to work together effectively,” Courtney says.
So, where do we begin?
"It's all about understanding the cultural and relational dynamics of your organization and using them to build authentic, lasting connections."
The first step to mastering relationship savviness is to build trust at all levels. Successful leaders don’t just focus on relationships with those above them but build strong connections with peers and junior colleagues, too. “Some of the best people I’ve worked with have been junior to me and this is where I’ve learned the most,” Courtney shares. “It’s not terribly savvy to only focus up.”
Make time to connect with your peers, direct reports, and even those outside your department. Host informal catchups, join company-wide initiatives, or simply make time to acknowledge and celebrate their contributions, and you’ll begin to see the power of these bonds.
Corporate politics often require leaders to handle difficult conversations with tact and transparency. According to Courtney, the best way to do this is by assuming everybody is going in with good intentions, focusing on shared goals rather than disagreements, and listening with empathy.
“I always start with open-ended questions—how would you do this? What do you think is the best way?” says Courtney. “If you show you’re receptive to feedback and maybe even pivot based on what you hear, that really helps build the relationship.”
If you still disagree and you can’t find a common solution, look for a way to compromise, “Say: ‘I’m going to manage this side of it, you’re going to manage that side,’” Courtney suggests.
Sometimes, leaders find themselves in situations where their values are challenged. Courtney shares the importance of standing firm and being transparent in these moments. “Anytime I’ve bumped into issues,” she says, “I’m just candid about it. I’ll say, ‘Look, we all agree we want the company to succeed. How do we get there together without compromising my values?’”
Be crystal clear about your values and boundaries. When conflicts arise, be open and communicate your concerns in a way that aligns with the company’s goals. “Careers are a long road. It’s not just this role, this job, this company, this position—it’s forever. You have to be true to yourself, clear on your own goals,” adds Courtney.
Unfortunately, there will be times when you encounter individuals who may act against you or try to undermine your work.
Courtney’s advice?
Stay above board and remain professional. “Once you learn you can’t trust someone, I tend to be extremely clear,” she says. “I give them very little opportunity for lack of clarity. I usually document everything to avoid misunderstandings.”
So, if you’re dealing with somebody difficult, keep a record of conversations and decisions. Keep communication professional and transparent to avoid giving them leverage to undermine your work.
Traversing corporate politics can be difficult at times, but as Courtney advises, it’s all about understanding the cultural and relational dynamics of your organization and using them to build authentic, lasting connections. “Always be yourself,” she says. “People can sense a lack of authenticity, and if you’re not yourself, you’re not being your best self.”
To read more wisdom from our exclusive WeQual Executives and Rising Leaders events, see our other Insights below or go to the Insights page.
Thanks to our Guest Contributor:
Courtney is also a WeQual Alumni and Winner of the WeQual Awards, AMER 2022 in the Legal category.
