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Organizational Awareness

Understanding the workings, structure, culture, as well as the distribution of power within and beyond the organization; utilizing this understanding to solve problems and achieve desired outcomes.
Level 1 Understands and uses formal organizational structures and processes

BEHAVIORS

  • Uses the organization's formal structures, rules, processes and procedures to accomplish results.
  • Describes the general environment in which the organization operates.
  • Explains the organizational decision-making processes and formal positions of power.

QUESTIONS

  • Can you tell me about a previous experience where you were new to an organization and had to become familiar with the work environment?

Probing Questions

* Where did this take place?

* What steps did you take?

* What was the importance of this?

* What did you learn?

* What was the outcome?

  • Could you give an example of how you applied policy or procedure at work?

Probing Questions

* What was the policy or procedure?

* What was it for?

* How did you apply it to work?

* What were the results?

Level 2 Understands and uses informal organizational structures and processes

BEHAVIORS

  • Identifies the unwritten, informal structures, culture, rules, power dynamics, and decision-making processes.
  • Builds an informal network of relationships to facilitate progress towards objectives.
  • Positions arguments based on an understanding of informal communities of shared interest.
  • Recognizes unspoken organizational constraints - what is and is not possible at certain times or at certain levels.
  • Uses both formal and informal channels or networks for acquiring information, assistance and accomplishing work goals.

QUESTIONS

  • Can you tell me about a previous work experience when you had to utilize both formal and informal relationships to get things done?

Probing Questions

* What was the situation?

* What were you trying to achieve?

* How did you approach people through formal and informal relationships?

* What was the outcome?

  • Could you give an example of a time when you built relationships outside formal reporting channels to meet an objective?

Probing Questions

* Describe the situation.

* Why did you look outside of your formal network?

* What were the differences?

* How did you build relationships?

Level 3 Understands and uses organizational culture, climate, and power dynamics

BEHAVIORS

  • Achieves mutually-beneficial solutions based on an understanding of issues and culture in own and other organizations.
  • Recognizes what is and is not acceptable/possible at certain times given the organizational culture, climate, and power dynamics.
  • Anticipates outcomes based on an understanding of organizational culture and power dynamics.
  • Explains how organizational decisions are made and who influences them.
  • Utilizes an understanding of the roles people play in the organization to form alliances and achieve results.

QUESTIONS

  • Could you give an example where you used your political savvy to push through an initiative that you really believed in?

Probing Questions

* Describe the situation.

* What were you trying to accomplish?

* How did your political savvy help you in this situation? Describe the steps you took.

* How did this experience affect your work?

* What was the outcome?

  • Can you tell me about a time when you were faced with ambiguity and chose a particular course of action based on your understanding of the organization’s culture?

Probing Questions

* What was the situation?

* What options did you have?

* What did you do?

* What was the outcome?

Level 4 Understands and uses organizational politics, issues and external influences

BEHAVIORS

  • Considers power relationships and dynamic tensions, when framing communications and developing strategies.
  • Anticipates issues, challenges and outcomes, taking measures to best position the work unit or organization.
  • Recognizes the appropriate timing for action, having positioned all key elements to maximize the probability of success.

QUESTIONS

  • Can you tell me about a time when you encountered challenges in accomplishing work goals due to workplace politics?

Probing Questions

* Describe the situation.

* What were the challenges?

* What did you do in this situation?

* What was the outcome?

  • What did you do in a previous work experience that helped position an organization strategically using internal and external influences?

Probing Questions

* Describe the situation and your role.

* What did you do to position the organization strategically?

* What were the internal and external influences?

* What were the results?

Level 5 Understands and operates in a broad spectrum of political, cultural and social milieus

BEHAVIORS

  • Explains a wide variety of issues in the political, social, and economic contexts in which the organization operates.
  • Uses an understanding of political, cultural and social contexts to position the organization or to address long-term issues critical to the organization's success.
  • Accomplishes objectives in a variety of social, political and cultural environments.

QUESTIONS

  • Can you tell me about a time when you had to address changes in the political, social or cultural environment that affect the organizations in the long term?

Probing Questions

* What were the changes?

* What long-term issues did you identify?

* What did you do?

* What were the results?

  • Could you describe a time when you executed an organizational strategy when there were significant uncertainties in the external political, social, or cultural environment?

Probing Questions

* What was the external environment like?

* How have you enhanced success? Describe the steps that you took.

* Why do you think your knowledge enabled higher success?

* What were the results?