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Politic

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(pronounced pol-ih-tik)  adjective

Definition

1. wise and very practical; prudent; exercising sound judgment; discreet.   2. tactful and smooth (in handling people); diplomatic.   3. shrewd or artful (in managing a given situation, or in contriving); expedient or cunningly skillful (as in policy, action, comments, etc.).

Main Example

• The decision by President Obama to seek Congress's permission for powers to shrink the government is getting much praise in the press, with many analysts saying it's a politic move on the eve of the presidential campaign because, among other things, it will help undercut Republican claims that he is out and out bent on expanding the size of government.

Workplace Examples

• They couldn't have picked a better person than Diana to fill the vice president's spot. She's probably the only one around here who can tactfully handle the big egos of all the senior managers who report to that position. In interpersonal situations, she always manages to do the politic thing.
• Look, I agree that you won't get much out of the meeting Gayle invited you to. But remember, she reports directly to the CEO, so it would be wise to not only attend the meeting, but to also show active interest. In other words, make a politic display of attentiveness.

Other Examples

• in recent weeks, while coaching employees of an offshore oil drilling giant, this author teaching an engineering expert who, during meetings, does not speak up or challenge wrong or misguided proposals out of fear of hurting others' feelings--a behavior that is costing the company dearly--how to express his misgivings or reservations in a politic manner
• a fresh college grad telling a friend: "I've decided that during my job interview next week with that company in the oil and gas industry, I will not talk about my work for the Sierra Club a couple of summers ago. I just don't think it will be politic to bring it up."
• a politic decision, idea, or plan; a speaker's jokes not being politic because they offended some in the audience; once in a while, both left-wing and right-wing radio and TV hosts uttering some hard truths--statements that are not politic for mainstream channels such as NPR, PBS, ABC, CBS, and NBC
• hard-hitting attacks on Mitt Romney by Newt Gingrich and Rick Perry earning strong criticism from some Republican Party stalwarts, with some saying: "It is vital that our eventual nominee be a strong challenger to Obama, and attacking Romney's work at Bain is not the politic thing to do."
• A few years ago, just a couple of days before the annual Oscar ceremony, Clint Eastwood was asked which of the nominees for Best Picture he liked the most. Not wanting to say anything negative about any of the five films, the famous actor and director gave a politic reply, saying with a smile: "I like all of them equally."

© 2012 V.J. Singal
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