Political Skill, Trust, and Efficacy in Teams. (February 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lvina, Elena; Maher, Liam P.; Harris, John N.
• Other Names: Ferris Gerald R. guest-editor.; Perrewé Pamela L. guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Journal of leadership & organizational studies. Volume 24:Number 1(2017)
• Page Start: 95
• Page End: 105
• Publication Date: 2017-02
• Subjects: political skill -- teams -- team efficacy -- trust; Leadership -- Periodicals; Management -- Periodicals; Organization -- Periodicals; 658.4092
• DOI: 10.1177/1548051816657984
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1548-0518

Abstract

Political skill, frequently understood as a social skill at work, is argued to be a valuable resource not only at the individual level but also for the teams. Using hierarchical linear modeling and data from 525 students, organized into 115 teams, we demonstrate that political skill at the individual level shapes individual perceptions of team efficacy and trust in team. Both the level and the composition of political skill within the team are found to be critical for these team emergent states, albeit they play out differently for team members who are high versus low in political skill.