Personal Power & Effectiveness<br>Make A Name for Yourself...Internally
By Paula Lyons
When we coach emerging leaders or those seen by their companies as "high potentials", they're often unsure of what it takes to get to the next level in their careers. They're great at what they do, but not so great at getting noticed inside their companies for what they do, or more importantly, for who they are.
Too many buy into the myth that "if I do great work, that promotion will come." But effectiveness in a role isn't enough. You can be the greatest performer in the world but if no one outside of your own team knows it, you won't be top of mind when great assignments or promotions are present. You need an internal visibility strategy.
Becoming visible inside your company is not about going on an ego trip. It's about marketing "the brand called you"; it's about becoming known---legitimately---for your ideas, skills and expertise. It's about finding a way to showcase your unique value to your organization.
In these recessionary times, you can't afford to float under the radar screen and be timid about putting forth your ideas and accomplishments. Companies need employees who display drive and initiative and contribute the kinds of ideas and projects that help them generate revenue, cut expenses, or create more efficient workflows. If you're one of those employees, why wouldn't you let key people know that?
Here are some ideas that can help you "make a name" internally:
- Take a personal inventory. Identify your skills, strengths and contributions. Catalog them, write them down. If you are in the kind of job where you can quantify the impact your contributions had on the company's bottom line, or on its stated goals and strategy, by all means do so!
- Find the language. You need to speak of your accomplishments in a gracious but confident way. Write down what you want to say. Speak of your accomplishments in ways that align them with company goals and strategies. If someone compliments you on an outcome, say "Thank you. I'm really pleased with how it all came out."
- Turn small talk opportunities into big talk. Imagine running into a member of the leadership team who politely asks, "What's new with you?" Don't waste that opportunity by saying little or nothing. Instead, answer with enthusiasm. "I've just completed a great project that my team discovered can save the company $__million!" Or---"I just attended a great conference on _____ and I'm writing an article about what I learned. Can I send you a copy?"
- Decide where you want to go in your career. Identify those who can help you get there. How are your relationships with them today? How can you make them stronger? What ways can you find to keep them informed about what you are working on?
- Identify your enemies and figure out how to turn them into friends. You don't have to love everyone at work. But neither do you need enemies. In the end, most people want to work with and follow people they like or respect. So who is not a fan of yours who should be? Did you inadvertently put the "thorn in their paw"? What can you do to pull it out? Do you need to apologize for anything? Or do you just need to learn more about them, what their goals and aspirations are? Finding a way to tune into them and actually help them in some way is often all you need to do. And in the interest of working together successfully it's important to do that, even if you never become friends.
Here are some other recommendations for promoting the brand called you.
- Build your presentation skills. Take advantage of any training your company offers in this area. There is no better way to build visibility than by presenting and speaking, especially in front of senior leaders.
- Volunteer to be the spokesman for your team and update other departments on what your area is doing. The more speaking and presenting you do, the easier it gets.
- Volunteer to speak at conferences. If you have taken the time to build your skills, and others remain terrified of speaking, it's to your advantage! And when you do a great job, your bosses and others can't help but notice.
- Write about your projects for the company newsletter. The whole company may not be interested in all your projects. But if you and your team have come up with great ways to cut expenses, improve sales, or save the company money and you think they might spark similar efforts in other departments, by all means, share!
- Give your boss a weekly update on your work and showcase your "good news" or strong results. You can't count on a busy boss to keep track of everyone's work. Help him or her keep track of yours. Make it clear and concise. Busy executives don't have a lot of time. But when you share your "good news" you give executives the chance to share that news with others.
Still not sure you can pull this off? Then identify the people in your company who seem to do this well. Watch what they do, how they speak, what they say. If you can see it, we always say, you can be it!
Looking for more ideas on how to "Make a Name" in your company or industry? Check out the "Make a Name in Business Toolkit," a 4 CD set and booklet written by Suzanne Bates, with exercises and assessments to help you develop your visibility strategy: http://www.bates-communications.com/books-and-products/books-and-products/#Build-Your-Professional