From Politically Naive to Politically Mature: Examining Leaders' Political Maturation Journey

Abstract

The current paper seeks to contribute to a better understanding of leaders’ engagement in organizational politics. Drawing on in-depth qualitative interviews with 38 leaders of different seniority in two multinational corporations, the study examines the development of leaders’ willingness and ability to engage in organizational politics. By identifying developmental patterns in the political will and political skill of leaders, the paper proposes a three-stage model of political maturation (Naivete and Discovery, Coping and Endurance, and Leveraging and Proficiency). These stages define qualitatively distinct mind-sets and approaches that characterize leaders’ engagement in politics. The findings offer insight into how leaders’ political will and skill evolve, enabling them to better navigate the political dimension of their roles. The paper discusses the theoretical and practical implications of this dynamic, developmental perspective.