You sit at your cube day in and day out working routine assignments as diligently as possible. While you may keep the work flow moving--which is always appreciated--you fear that your efforts go unnoticed. You're probably right. Your boss may appreciate not having to be bogged down with the nuts and bolts of your daily tasks, but your personal development and career goals are not usually the first thing on her mind.
Make sure that you are clear about your career goals. Then, share your them with your boss. Do not expect her to take you by the hand from there. Unfortunately, employee development may not be one of her strong points, so you will need to have a plan of action for increasing your visibility at work. Present your boss with the following suggestions:
Volunteer to attend, represent or lead department meetings, projects, cross-functional teams or committees. This gets you out of your cube and on the radar. Other employees and managers will now have a chance to get to know you and see your skills in action. In turn, you'll get to know others in the company and learn about different career opportunities in the process.
Use your meetings as a way to have more communication with your boss. This helps her to take notice of your leadership skills and builds confidence in your ability to take on additional assignments.
Demonstrate that you take your development seriously by asking to participate in seminars and training classes that are of value to the company and/or to your development as an employee.
Don't allow your skills to lie dormant. If you aren't using a particular skill in your current role, seek opportunities to put them to good use. Let your boss know how this particular skill can be utilized in your current job function or role that you would like to take on.
Remember, exposure is key to advancement. Being visible in your organization, meeting people and becoming familiar with various projects makes you a valuable asset to your team.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Rehearse the Positive
It's a familiar situation. Your co-worker or boss says or does something that is completely out of line. You spend the next few hours fuming, planning to give them a piece of your mind. It would feel great to let them know what you really think of them. But after you've told them a thing or two, how will you be impacted in the long run? Will your reputation improve? Not likely. There's a lot of wisdom in the advice: think before you speak.
The key is to respond and not react to the actions of others. Reactions may feel good and may even be justified, but the end result does more damage to your career than that of the person that offended you. Instead of entertaining thoughts of telling off your boss, mentally rehearse the most positive outcome that could come of your exchange. Imagine how good you'll feel when you were professional enough to take the high road. Imagine how good you'll feel when you are known for your level-headed, dignified responses instead of the hot head that no one wants to work with or the office grouch. When you respond to a person or situation, you've allowed yourself some time to process their actions/comments, which puts you ahead of the game. How you present yourself is an important ingredient to a successful career and it will get you noticed in the right way.
The key is to respond and not react to the actions of others. Reactions may feel good and may even be justified, but the end result does more damage to your career than that of the person that offended you. Instead of entertaining thoughts of telling off your boss, mentally rehearse the most positive outcome that could come of your exchange. Imagine how good you'll feel when you were professional enough to take the high road. Imagine how good you'll feel when you are known for your level-headed, dignified responses instead of the hot head that no one wants to work with or the office grouch. When you respond to a person or situation, you've allowed yourself some time to process their actions/comments, which puts you ahead of the game. How you present yourself is an important ingredient to a successful career and it will get you noticed in the right way.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Cubicle Style: II
I knew it. I said a few weeks ago that the summer tempts us to be a bit more daring with our wardrobe choices Was that the understatement of summer or what? Now I don't know how it's been going around the corridors of your office, but the report from my cubicle has not been good. I hate to have to break it down, but I must. There are just some things you should know and I might as well be the one to tell you.
1. Cover your tattoos. Remember that tattoo you got 2 years ago across your back? Well it shows when you wear a scoop neck top. And guess what? It sends the wrong message. "Pookie's Girl" written in script on your back or peeking out from any other visible place does not make for a polished image. Now, if you have a hit song, a hot video and a stylist Ala Rihanna--it's cute. In Corporate America it is not.
2. If you decide to wear slingbacks, mules, or peek-toe shoes, please, please, please get a pedicure. It is a real treat and you can usually get one for under $40 at a nail salon.
3. Ladies, when you wear a sandal, even those with a heel, your foot should remain within the confines of the shoe. In other words, it is not okay to go outside of the lines. No peeking through the straps of your sandal or over the edge action. Keep it inside, ladies.
4. Dry your hair before you get to the office. A crowded elevator and dripping hair will get someone's day off to a bad start.
Stay Pressed, Stay Ready.
1. Cover your tattoos. Remember that tattoo you got 2 years ago across your back? Well it shows when you wear a scoop neck top. And guess what? It sends the wrong message. "Pookie's Girl" written in script on your back or peeking out from any other visible place does not make for a polished image. Now, if you have a hit song, a hot video and a stylist Ala Rihanna--it's cute. In Corporate America it is not.
2. If you decide to wear slingbacks, mules, or peek-toe shoes, please, please, please get a pedicure. It is a real treat and you can usually get one for under $40 at a nail salon.
3. Ladies, when you wear a sandal, even those with a heel, your foot should remain within the confines of the shoe. In other words, it is not okay to go outside of the lines. No peeking through the straps of your sandal or over the edge action. Keep it inside, ladies.
4. Dry your hair before you get to the office. A crowded elevator and dripping hair will get someone's day off to a bad start.
Stay Pressed, Stay Ready.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
On A Mission
The mission statement. Almost every company has one. A mission statement allows a company to define itself to the public and state it's overall goal and a broad synopsis of it's strategy in achieving that goal. Just this week a friend of mine was speaking to me about her personal mission statement. It is important that you know your company's mission statement, but you should also have a personal mission statement as well, so that you can stay grounded and focused on what you hope to accomplish in your role and in your future.
A mission statement can help you better understand if your values and goals are in line with that of your employer. Simply put, it can be a compass to help you determine where you are and where you want to be. Remember that movie, Jerry Maguire? It was his mission statement that led him on a different path to realizing his professional and personal success.
Recently, I attended a development conference where Susan Taylor, formerly of Essence Magazine, was the keynote speaker. As always, she was inspiring in her delivery and encouraged the audience to develop a plan of action, to reach out and help others and enjoy the journey. A mission statement is one of the best ways to begin charting your path. In her book, All About Love, Ms. Taylor writes under the section titled, Mission Possible:
"Fill your mind with positive thoughts about yourself and your goals, and make realistic plans to take you from here to there. Know why you're working where you are: to gain a skill, to earn money to invest in yourself, to educate your children, to buy a home, to lay the foundation for your own venture--or simply because you love the work. Every thought and move related to your career should be focused in the direction of your dreams."
That is just the beginning. You want your statement to include the details of what you hope to accomplish as you move toward your larger goal Your mission can and should include how you want to perform in your role. But remember, a mission statement doesn't have to be long, so don't get discouraged about the length or lack thereof. Familiarize yourself with your mission and refine it as you move along in your career.
Creating a personal mission statement is your opportunity to become really clear about who you are, what you want and to design a plan of action.
A mission statement can help you better understand if your values and goals are in line with that of your employer. Simply put, it can be a compass to help you determine where you are and where you want to be. Remember that movie, Jerry Maguire? It was his mission statement that led him on a different path to realizing his professional and personal success.
Recently, I attended a development conference where Susan Taylor, formerly of Essence Magazine, was the keynote speaker. As always, she was inspiring in her delivery and encouraged the audience to develop a plan of action, to reach out and help others and enjoy the journey. A mission statement is one of the best ways to begin charting your path. In her book, All About Love, Ms. Taylor writes under the section titled, Mission Possible:
"Fill your mind with positive thoughts about yourself and your goals, and make realistic plans to take you from here to there. Know why you're working where you are: to gain a skill, to earn money to invest in yourself, to educate your children, to buy a home, to lay the foundation for your own venture--or simply because you love the work. Every thought and move related to your career should be focused in the direction of your dreams."
That is just the beginning. You want your statement to include the details of what you hope to accomplish as you move toward your larger goal Your mission can and should include how you want to perform in your role. But remember, a mission statement doesn't have to be long, so don't get discouraged about the length or lack thereof. Familiarize yourself with your mission and refine it as you move along in your career.
Creating a personal mission statement is your opportunity to become really clear about who you are, what you want and to design a plan of action.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Want to Move Up? Move Over
You've been patiently waiting for that golden opportunity: the newly created role or a sudden vacancy on the organization chart to seize a promotion. You've been honing your skills and even though you were passed over for the last five promotions, you're sure that you are ready for expanded opportunities and a new job title this time. If you have found yourself in a similar situation, you may want to rethink your career plan.
Career growth is not always vertical. In fact, many have discovered that sometimes the best move is a lateral one. Your job title may not change, but often lateral moves allow you the opportunity to gain experience and develop expertise in areas that you may not otherwise be exposed to, making you a well-rounded and valuable resource to your organization. Learning all there is to know in a certain role should not be your goal. Rather than making you a shoe-in for the next promotion, knowing-it-all is more likely to keep you locked into your current role.
So keep looking up, but keep an open mind to moving over.
Career growth is not always vertical. In fact, many have discovered that sometimes the best move is a lateral one. Your job title may not change, but often lateral moves allow you the opportunity to gain experience and develop expertise in areas that you may not otherwise be exposed to, making you a well-rounded and valuable resource to your organization. Learning all there is to know in a certain role should not be your goal. Rather than making you a shoe-in for the next promotion, knowing-it-all is more likely to keep you locked into your current role.
So keep looking up, but keep an open mind to moving over.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Audition
It's not what you know, it's who you know. We've all heard that one before. If your list of contacts is lacking, that statement can be somewhat discouraging. But it doesn't have to be. The truth is you know more people than you think. You don't have to wait until a position is open or you land an interview to make a good impression. Every encounter, every meeting and every exchange that you have with other teams, managers and executives is a chance for you to audition.
Think of your next meeting or conference call as an opportunity to demonstrate your skills, in a relaxed setting. This is when others get to see your skills in action. So don't dread the meeting or multitask on the conference call. Participate. Audition for the role you see yourself in. Others will begin to notice. Before you know it, you might just be the one to know.
Think of your next meeting or conference call as an opportunity to demonstrate your skills, in a relaxed setting. This is when others get to see your skills in action. So don't dread the meeting or multitask on the conference call. Participate. Audition for the role you see yourself in. Others will begin to notice. Before you know it, you might just be the one to know.
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