Talk about job security. Hopefully you’re lucky enough to have a boss who is your biggest advocate.
If the only person in your organization who knows how good your work is is your direct manager, you have a problem.
Your boss has career pressures too – they may feel their success depends on you staying in their position – and many managers aren’t attentive to the development needs of their teams.
Not to mention the risk of relying on a single champion who may at some point leave the team or organization and be left without a sponsor.
There’s no escaping the fact that you need a profile and relationships in other parts of the organization. Your goal is to make the important and influential people in the organization think that you’re the best hire – one of their most valuable employees.
If your boss likes you, you’ll enjoy the following benefits:
More protection if a manager changes
Possibility to access interesting work outside of the scope of your daily work
A more receptive audience when searching for your next position
And you will be recognized by those who can make hiring decisions in this organization and other organizations.
Relationships with your coworkers are great, don’t neglect them, and relationships with your boss’ coworkers and those at a higher level are even better.
There are a few ways to do this:
Participate in cross-functional project committees. Your work is likely to be directly witnessed or reported to through the subordinates of these senior influencers.
Take advantage of every opportunity to present. Demonstrate your expertise, preparation, and quick thinking.
They exert influence beyond their immediate department. In my experience, those who make progress demonstrate appreciation, buy-in, and real impact beyond their department toward company goals.
Find out genuine A reason to meet with key people. You could ask for a mentoring conversation, set up an opportunity to do due diligence, or even brief an influential person. Ask for your manager’s buy-in before proceeding.
Prepares concise, insightful documentation (emails, reports) as needed or opportunity arises.
Stay in touch with people who are leaving the organization: If a senior influencer who knows your work leaves the company, follow up and stay in touch. One of the best ways to recruit is to poach people from your past organization. You never know what’s going to happen.
In either case, your goal is appear They do noteworthy work in an impressive manner, producing results that get people talking – all while working diligently and effectively towards organizational goals.
Three conditions for success in building senior relationships
The key is dial up Recognizing these potential relationships, Intentional About spreading the word about your work and your brand. Don’t act on selfish, political grounds. It will become clear.
Make sure your work, level of preparation, insight and professionalism are worthy of the additional attention and scrutiny. Seeking this high level of exposure without any substance could be a huge career risk for you.
Don’t forget your boss: your actions must be in line with this important relationship.
Build exposure and relationships with senior influencers within the organization, increasing career stability and opportunities.
How have you been successful in building relationships with senior influencers within your organization?
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