“The internet and online communication is the window into your world – but real life, in person communication/connection is the door.”
― Rasheed Ogunlaru

 

Who doesn’t want to be rewarded for their hard work? When asked, most people would want to raise their profile in their organization.

If you want to be truly recognized with a promotion, or an award, doing good work is not enough. Doing great work for your clients and being well respected by them is desirable and important. Developing a rapport with colleagues, senior executives and your boss is what brings the tipping point of recognition.

When you are lucky enough to hear an esteemed thought-leader speak about how they progressed in their career, they will tell stories how they made it a point to develop connections at their company. Relationships create value; relationships are valuable not only in creating a fan base of people who know you, but in getting people (including other departments) to work with you, and solve problems when you need help and can’t go it alone.

In the last two blogs about managing up, laying the groundwork (https://susangoldbergleadership.com/wanting-to-get-ahead/) and information sharing (https://susangoldbergleadership.com/tips-for-creating-value/) were featured. In this third and final blog about “managing” your boss and other senior executives, in-person communication is the topic. While emails are the windows, in-person communication are the doors. Here are the last three tips in the series.

• You don’t like or respect some colleagues. Be inclusive and friendly anyhow. One of the things that’s necessary to be promoted is your ability to build relationships in the company and how you treat colleagues.
• There is no official mentor program in your company. Your boss may not have the skills or time to offer advice and training, but you have questions. Find people who are skilled in areas that you want to learn.  Offer to buy them lunch or coffee in exchange for some time to ask questions. Don’t take for granted that they are doing you a favor.  Be mindful of their time and thank them.
• In person, it’s uncomfortable to keep eye contact. You may not be accustomed to doing this because you may spend so much time in front of a screen. Simply practice. Maintaining eye contact is crucial in building trust and conveying confidence.

Nine tips are a lot. So, don’t fret if this list of all nine (from the three blogs) seems overwhelming. It’s unreasonable to think you must master all this and do it perfectly. And that’s not the point. Reading the suggestions and grasping them is a great first step in helping you understand what your boss had to learn to be in their position. Perhaps you can also appreciate what it will take for you step into those shoes and lead others, or lead them better.

What else would you add to help a subordinate “manage up”?  Email me with suggestions:  susan@susangoldbergleadership.com  and I’ll publish them in a future blog.

 

How is your team or business operating with multi-generations?  If you are not benefiting from the full abilities of all your professional employees, email me and let’s talk: susan@susangoldbergleadership.com