Leanna Cruz
Since career advancement results in lifestyle advancement most of us are committed to professional development, personal growth and getting ahead. This is truer today more than ever and especially true as we recover from recent economic changes. The recipe to achieve career success and career advancement is not a secret. The mix of a solid level of intelligence with specialized skills and a good work ethic is the fundamental recipe for career successes but if the right people, the decision makers, don’t know about them career advancement may not occur. You must let the decision makers know how you have added value and that you will continue to add value.
The consistent display of elite performance is the final ingredient for pushing a person over the top and into a world of phenomenal career success. However, similar to the tree falling in the woods, is it relevant if nobody knows? For that matter, how do you let others know about your individual success without being perceived as bragging and boastful?
Of course you must first ensure that your performance is top notch. Secondly, talk about your results with your direct supervisor and focus on articulating your skills, knowledge and talent that you utilize to reach your goals. Last, don’t be afraid to share the news about your successes when asked. Take the opportunity when someone asks, “How’s it going.” Let them know you had a stellar week. When asked why your week was stellar, the door has opened for you to share your story. Remember, if you have added value resulting in department or organizational success, telling stories about your success, your contributions, is not bragging. You are simply letting them know you are committed to helping and they can call on you when someone with your skill and talent is needed.
Achieving exemplary results on a consistent basis is the primary deal maker. It’s the bar that everyone talks about and it’s where the bucks are invested. If you’re not already a key contributor or not already perceived as someone who’s a rising star, getting heard will be difficult. So first focus on being the best and most reliable in your company. This can be accomplished by exceeding as many of your company’s key performance indicators as possible. Consistent achievement of results that your company deems important will create more positive public relations opportunities than you can handle. In other words, your results will speak to your contributions, and you need to let your contributions be known.
Periodic reviews of your results, and performance, with your direct supervisor are the first instance where you’d openly discuss your accomplishments. At these meetings you’d review the past and talk openly about the future. Your boss will already know about your results and your talent, but may not necessarily be the cheerleader of either. Generally bosses are as interested in career advancement as you are and probably focused on their own.
So, when your colleagues are looking for help or you have an opportunity to present to work or professional groups, step up and share your stories about your successes. When you talk about your career success in this setting you’ll be perceived as helping everyone instead of boasting about your success. Don’t be afraid to share good ideas. Your methods, processes and ideas have worked for you because of your intelligence, your skills and your unique discipline. You won’t become less successful if you tell everyone your secrets. For example, Toyota Motor Corporation has been renowned for years for constantly inviting their competitors into their manufacturing plants for others to see their work processes. Competitors of Toyota wanted to know how the company was able to continually make quality cars for a low price. It is also common in major sports leagues for coaches to copy the schemes and strategies of successful coaches and teams. The NFL, for example, is often called a copy cat league but invariably the same group of elite franchises always wins. The success is in the details, not the strategy, not the story.
If the right people don’t know about your success stories the rate of acceleration of your career success may be slower than you have patience for. Avoid the frustration and find opportunities to share your success.