Often when it comes to a winning promotion, or special approval to work on a high-stakes project or extra duties at our existing place of work we assume that the person or committee deciding who will take on the work knows everything about us and will choose us for sure. Actually, this in not the case.
Well, truthfully, people forget. I don’t mean that all people forget all things, but most people forget a lot of things – don’t you think?
When it comes to why you should be promoted over someone else or given that extra opportunity or responsibility in your company, people forget.
They forget where you worked before, what your qualifications are, what you experience is, which projects you’ve contributed to. And they’ve forgotten all of this about you even if you work with them every day of your life. Really, they have!
What should you do instead?
Your job is to stay present. Remind the senior leaders in your business about the awesome work you do whenever an appropriate opportunity presents itself. This assures them that you’re still keen and successful. Create a feeling of satisfaction by showing them how you have satisfied others. Communicate your successes, new clients, recent achievements, latest awards, best testimonials. Tell them about cost cutting measures, staff developments, growth in revenue.
Brands like Magnum ice-cream continually remind their buyers that it’s an awesome product. With appropriate modesty you must do this too. Out of sight is out of mind. Stay front of mind in your business.
It doesn’t matter how you tell them. Perhaps include it in an email to a senior leader. Or you could post it on your profile in LinkedIn (if it’s not confidential). Some of my clients who are serious high-flyers create monthly updates for their boss to let them know all their wins and losses for the month. How could your manager pass you up if they are completely aware of how well you’re performing at the moment?
A good example of someone in business who is very good at updating people about what she’s up to, and what her company is doing to remain successful is Natalie Brennan from FoodCo in Australia. You would probably know them as Muffin Break and Jamaica Blue. Natalie is very humble and well as very active in LinkedIn and everyone knows she’s a great success and someone to admire and trust. https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliebrennanfoodco/
What can you do right now to make sure people who make important decisions know about your commitment, drive and successes?
Happy Presenting!
© Michelle Bowden 2020. Michelle Bowden is an authority on presentation & persuasion in business. Michelle is a CSP (the highest designation for speakers in the world), co-creator of the PRSI (a world-first psychometric indicator that tests your persuasiveness at work), best-selling internationally published author (Wiley), and a regular commentator in print, radio and online media. www.michellebowden.com.au