15 Signs Your Employee Is Ready to Become a Manager

Promoting from within is good business, but which team members are actually
manager-worthy?

Chances are, there are a few great leaders on your team that aren't yet in managerial
positions. Some of them may already take on the role of a manager without claiming
the title, while others may show subtle signs that they've got what it takes to lead.
Just as the wrong hire is costly, so is the wrong promotion--so with that in mind, we
asked 15 entrepreneurs from YEC to reveal one surefire sign that a team member is
ready to take on a managerial role.

1. They change their vocabulary from "mine" to "ours."

Going from being an employee to a manager occurs when team members hit a tipping
point. It's normally a point when they begin to understand a manager's point of view.
Look for subtle changes in a team member's conduct. This may be a simple choice of
words. An employee may use the term I, mine or me. Those ready to assume a
management role may choose words like ours, we or us.--Christophor Jurin, Construct-
Ed, Inc.

2. They prove they can manage themselves.

One key indicator that an employee has really come into their own is when they
require less and less time to manage. They know what needs to be done and make sure
it happens, they learn to spot opportunities and coordinate actions to seize them. The
only way someone can ever hope to be a manager is if they can manage themselves,
and this is typically evidence enough that they're ready.--Brian
Honigman, BrianHonigman.com

3. They look out for others.

If an employee is concerned for their co-worker's success as much as their own on a
group project, that's usually a very good sign you have a team player that wants others
to succeed. Great managers are selfless leaders that want the unit to succeed
together.--Kenny Nguyen, Big Fish Presentations

4. They take responsibility.

A sign of a leader ready to take on a managerial role is the ability to take responsibility
for themselves or the team. The people you lead will give you respect if you own your
decisions, regardless of the outcome.--Phil Chen, Systems Watch

5. They excel above expectations.

The sign of a good leader is if they are going above and beyond consistently. When you
naturally see them leading others in all their work--when they excel far above
expectations in everything they are doing--it's time for a promotion. You don't want to
lose them to someone else that's willing to give them that promotion when you're
not!--Peter Daisyme, Hostt

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6. They actually want to take it on.
It's very simple. The most important sign is that they want to be in a managerial role
and they ask for it.--Dan Price, Gravity Payments

7. They've mastered their technical craft.

Once team members have mastered their technical craft--but before they get bored--I
begin to explore their interest in leading others. Some people are quite content in their
individual contributor role, and there's nothing wrong with that. Others, however,
crave opportunities that bring new challenges. -Chris Cancialosi, GothamCulture

8. They already manage without realizing it.

When a staff member is ready to take on a managerial role, they've already taken on a
managerial role without realizing it. Often, I'll notice that they're helping other
employees with the marketing plans, giving advice on how to deal with a difficult client,
or making the new intern feel welcome. When somebody truly wants to be in that role,
they do it without even trying because they enjoy it.--Cassie Petrey, Crowd Surf

9. They go above and beyond in completing their tasks.

It's very telling when someone goes above and beyond, completing required tasks and
ensuring everything is effectively coordinated with the team. If they have a natural
affinity for this kind of coordination, they are probably a good fit.--Daniel
Wesley, DebtConsolidation.com

10. They show ingenuity.

A great manager is someone who not only manages existing tasks, but also takes
initiative in creating or improving other tasks and processes for the benefit of the
company. Potential managers who demonstrate these traits also tend to display
ingenuity and critical thinking in the ways they perform on a daily basis, which tells me
they are ready to take on more responsibilities.--Firas Kittaneh, Amerisleep

11. They look for solutions.

I am always looking for my team to bring me solutions instead of problems. A good
manager will understand and have mastered this art form.--Mina Chang, Linking the
World

12. They help others.

When I see team members going to a certain person with questions, that's a clue.
When that person has the answer or promises to seek out and deliver the answer,
they're on my radar for moving up into management. When they help other team
members and still accomplish their own job, that's the definition of a good manager.--
Joshua Lee, StandOut Authority

13. They show ownership.

One sign is that the employee regularly shows a feeling of pride and ownership in their
work. Leading a team is about understanding the big picture and internalizing not only
what it will take to get there, but understanding how the assets available to you can
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help you realize that picture. Employees who approach every task as if its success or
failure is a direct reflection on them are on track.--Mike Seiman, CPXi

14. They volunteer for leadership roles.

A team member who steps up to the plate and takes a leadership role (whether it's in a
team project setting or other environment) is sure to be ready for management. These
situations present themselves often, and those who take the bull by the horns are the
ones who are ready for the next step. -Andrew Schrage, Money Crashers Personal
Finance

15. They're proactive.

I never want my employees to be on auto-pilot, but there is something to be said when
a team member jumpstarts their workload without me having to instruct them further.
When I find team members proactively asking questions to improve their output to the
company, that's when I know they're ready.--Rob Fulton, Exponential Black

Moving Up the Ladder: 10 Strategies for Getting Yourself Promoted

Some career experts say that the day you start a new job you should begin planning for
your next job. And you know what? You should! Just make sure that you stay focused
enough on the job you were hired for that you succeed and excel in that position
before looking for the next one.

Promotions are not a given. It used to be that workers progressed along specific career
paths during their careers, but the impact of technology, globalization, and flatter
organizational structures, has changed that paradigm. Today, employees have to
create and manage their own career paths through one or multiple organizations.
And remember that a promotion is not always an upward path. Sometimes
especially in todays business environment you may need to make a lateral move to
position yourself for a later upward move.

How do you develop your promotion plan? Incorporate these 10 strategies into your
plan.

1. Develop Mentoring Relationships

One recent study found that in four out of five promotions, those promoted had a
mentoring relationship with someone higher in the company who helped spread the
good word about them. Some companies have formal mentoring programs, but even if
your company does not, there are still ways you can build relationships with people in
higher positions in the company. Mentors can also be great sources for information
and career guidance.

2. Quantify Results
While promotions are not necessarily based on your past performance, you can
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certainly make a much better case for a promotion by showing detailed information
about your past successes. Those who get results get ahead.
Keep a record of everything you do that enhances the companys bottom line, that
puts the company or your department in a good light, that is creative and innovative,
and that shows your loyalty and commitment to the organization.

3. Practice Self-Promotion
Were taught by our families that modesty is a virtue, but just as with job-hunting, if no
one knows how great you are, you simply wont get ahead. Be a known quantity. If you
have had major accomplishments or created new or award-winning programs, make
sure people know about them especially the people doing the promoting.
Sell yourself and let it be known that you are seeking a promotion. One professional
we know sends out a monthly email to his boss and his bosss boss to keep them
updated on his progress on various projects and to share any accomplishments and
accolades that occurred in the previous month.

4. Establish a Bond with Your Boss

It might help to think of your boss as one of those border guards between countries.
S/he can either be raising the gate and waving you onward and upward to your next
position within the company, or s/he can be keeping the gate down and blocking you
from any movement within the company. Use all opportunities to make your boss a
key supporter of your promotion.

Use professional settings to seek counsel and stress your interest in staying with the
company. Use performance appraisals not just to go over your accomplishments, but
to talk with your boss about potential roadblocks to a promotion and how to
overcome those roadblocks.

Some experts also suggest building rapport with your boss by learning more about his
or her outside interests and hobbies and then chatting about them during
conferences, parties, or other informal activities.

5. Acquire New Knowledge and Skills

It goes without saying that one of the best ways to succeed in getting a promotion is to
expand your knowledge and skills sets in areas that are critical to the organization. As
technology and other environmental forces change rapidly, you need an ever-
increasing skill set not only to perform your job, but to stay marketable.
Experts also suggest that employees who want to get ahead should not only keep
current with industry news and events, but to also pay attention to trends and events
outside their specialty.

6. Build Your Network

The more people who know you, know your strengths and abilities, know your value to
the organization, and know (at least some of) your ambitions, the more likely your
name will be discussed when opportunities arise.

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 An added benefit of networking is that you will learn much more about the company if
you network with people in other areas of the organization. Learn more about
networking here.
7. Ask for More Responsibilities
Volunteering to help out other departments or teams or simply asking for more
responsibilities increases your value within the organization. Asking for more work
shows your interest and desire to help your department and company to succeed as
well as putting a spotlight on your value to the organization.

8. Act professionally at All Times

Earn a reputation for being dependable, professional, and cooperative. Act and look
the part.

Dress professionally and neatly even on business casual days.

Ask questions when you arent sure how to do something.
Dare to be different make yourself stand out from the pack.
Keep a positive outlook on things, even when in tough situations.
Dont whine or complain or blame others when things dont go your way.
Make a name for yourself in your industry through conferences, articles, speeches.
Dont be a clock-watcher.

Finally, be a problem-solver. Dont go to your boss with problems. If a difficult situation

arises, be sure to come up with at least one solution before seeking your bosss
blessing for dealing with the situation. Problem-solvers get promoted. Complainers
who expect the boss to solve all their problems dont.

9. Be a Team Player
Because so much of work is now accomplished through teams departmental or
cross-functional it becomes even more important to share successes with your team
and to avoid pointing your finger when there are failures.
And by being a team player, you only build your reputation and increase your value to
the organization.

10. Create Your Own Opportunities

After studying the needs and challenges of the organizations, if you see an area that
has been neglected and you have key skills in that area write a proposal for a new
position.
And even if the company does not go for the new position, you have again shown your
initiative, creativity, and value to the firm and these things can only help you the
next time you request a promotion.

Surefire Ways Not to Get Promoted

1. Dont plan your day. Go to work each day without a plan in mind.
2. Do the minimum. Have the attitude of they dont pay me for that.
3. Rely on your current base of knowledge. No need to learn new skills.
4. Voice your complaints. Be vocal about what you dont like at work.
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5. Dont share the credit. Put your name alone at the top of successful projects.

16 Mistakes Employees Make When Trying To Get A Promotion

Asking for a promotion can be one of the most stressful experiences in your career--
especially in today's uncertain economy.Why? Because you know you're putting
yourself at some level of risk, says Lynn Taylor, a national workplace expert and
author of Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant; How to Manage Childish Boss Behavior and
Thrive in Your Job. The often legitimate fears of appearing too ambitious, or not being
focused enough on doing your best work, can trigger unnecessary missteps. However,
if you're strategic about your pursuit, you can change the frustrating dynamic of feeling
undervalued.

David Parnell, a legal recruiter, communication coach and author of In-House: A

Lawyers Guide to Getting a Corporate Legal Position, agrees. He says in many
organizations, getting promoted is not a simple task.

It should be no surprise that, in comparison to only a few decades ago, todays

average employee has larger workloads--and more (and better) competition to
contend with. Add to this the highly evolved social and political networks one needs to
master, and you have one tough road to travel, he says. To move from employment
offer to promotion without a single misstep is unlikely, and mistakes happen often
enough.

A promotion, by definition, is a form of advancement or movement into new territory,

he adds. This means learning new information and trying new things, which, by their
very nature promote mistakes in some way, shape or form. The key lies not so much in
avoiding mistakes, but more so in keeping the mistakes as small as possible, and
effectively cleaning up after them.

Here are 16 common mistakes employees make when asking for a promotion:

Asking for too much at once. Many employees ask for a promotion, raise, new
privileges and more--all at once. This will likely frustrate your boss, Taylor says. Know
your priorities and work down the list as concisely as possible.

Believing that promotions are based on merit alone. That's not the case in many
companies where politics and other factors come into play, says Amy Hoover,
president of Talent Zoo. If you're career-minded and want to climb the ladder it's
important that you analyze your corporate culture to determine what you need to
focus on besides a job well done.

Neglecting your long-term goals. Employees get so wrapped up in the promotion that
they stop thinking about their overall career path and goals. Think long-term, Taylor

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suggests. Ask yourself: Does this support what I ultimately want to do in 5 or 10
years?

Trying too hard. If youre an office brown noser whose sole purpose appears to be
sucking up to the bossknow that most managers don't like this behavior and it can
have a negative effect on upward mobility," Hoover says. If you focus on doing your job
well and being aligned with the office culture, you'll go much further than simply trying
to cater to your boss' every whim.

Taylor agrees. Embarking on a flattery gets you everywhere campaign will get you
nowhere. She says. It's one thing to dole out occasional compliments to your boss.
But if you transparently brown nose and then ask for that promotion, you'll shoot
yourself in the foot.

Thinking a promotion will fix everything. A promotion or raise never equated to

instant happiness, Taylor says. Examine if it is really a short-term fix to a broken job.

Overshooting your target. Any mature workplace has an established hierarchy, and
everyone should know their place within it, Parnell says. Trying to impress your
manager by handling their responsibilities, rather than just doing yours, can be
interpreted as offensive or even threatening to the hierarchical status quo. From a
sheer duties stand point, your focus should be on completing your assignments,
superbly and ahead of schedule--and then do just a little bit more to keep you ahead of
your competition. This may come in the form of starting your next project early,
helping one of your peer-level colleagues, or even just asking your manager if there is
any other way to contribute.

Not making it a win-win. There's got to be something in it for your boss, Taylor says.
Your new responsibilities should be proposed in a way that allows your boss see the
personal benefits for him or her, such as advancement of a particular initiative that
requires more of your untapped skills.

Wrong place, wrong time. Make sure the venue is suitable for the discussion and that
you've scheduled it advance, with enough time allotted, Taylor suggests. Avoid pre-
lunch and end of day--but be flexible; the time of day may be helpful, but if your boss
has had a major setback or horrendously busy day, better to wait.

Just Promoted To Manager? Here Are 5 Strategies For Success

Its a quiet afternoon at work when you get a phone call from your boss, asking you to
come up to her office for a quick chat.

Could it be? You ask yourself Am I finally getting a promotion??

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Youve been waiting for this. Youve put in hours of work, smiled through thousands of
late nights, and taken on extra work in an effort to prove your mettle. So when she
utters those glorious words - Im promoting you to manager you think you might
actually die of happiness. You feel like youre on top of the world as you spend the next
few days fantasizing about your fancy new raise and title, not to mention an office with
real walls and an actual door.
Within the first hour of your new role, one of your employees asks you to make a
decision on an urgent client request.

Your excitement has officially evaporated.

You look around for someone whos authorized to make the judgment call, and then
you realizethat someone is you.

And then you panic.

This sort of fear or perfection paralysis explains why 60% of new

managers underperform during their first two years on the job. Needless to say, no
newly promoted manager works for a decrease in output and work performance, so
how is this data so real? Are new managers just not ready for the challenges that await
them? According to one Harvard professor, the problem lies in the fact that many
employees who get promoted to managerial positions get there by doing great
work and generating value for the company.

Whats so wrong with that, you ask?

Being a manager is about so much more than just producing stellar results on your
own. Youve already proven you can do that. Its about teamwork, trust, and
professional leadership, and those traits cant develop if youre treating your new role
simply as a higher-profile version of your last one.

In other words, your stellar performance as an employee is no indicator for your

management capabilities.

Here are a five best practices to get you started:

1. Develop a professional persona. This is a biggie for new managers, especially
those tasked with overseeing older employees. Its understandable that these
managers want to be liked, but its disempowering to lead with that persona. The social
self is the natural default setting: As children, we were fiercely taught the importance
of likeability, and have been taught from a young age to seek approval. This identity
has been refined and reinforced, and can be incredibly damaging when it shows up in
the workplace. Ask yourself: Do I want to be liked or respected? Sometimes you can
score both, but there are many times as a new manager that you will have to pick one.
The ability to draw a distinction between your social self and professional self enables
you to maintain an intentional career path with boundaries that support you.Creating a

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new workplace persona may feel unnatural, but making an intentional choice about
who you want to be as a professional is more powerful than a natural default setting.

2. Take responsibility. Even the best employee will disappoint you, defy you, or
let you down at some point, and their screw-up doesnt change the fact that you, as
the manager, are responsible. It can be tempting to point fingers, especially
when your boss is breathing down your neck, but throwing the wrongdoer under the
bus is the quickest way to disempower your team.Its an amateur move that makes you
look reactive, untrustworthy, and self-servingespecially to your superiors. The most
effective manager is the one who can swallow his or her pride, own up to the error,
and turn it into a growth opportunity for everyone on the team, regardless of who was
at fault. The leader takes full responsibility for her actions, and by doing so, imparts the
message to those around her that they need to do the same.
3.
3. Lead with results. Your head needs to exist in the world of results. Your life at
work revolves around satisfying whoever it is that stands as your boss, be it your client,
your supervisor, or someone else. Rather than taking a by-the-book approach to
management, look for ways to accommodate your teams talents and skill sets so that
theyre inspired to put forth their best effort every time.A good manager has the
potential to increase an employees commitment to their job by 34% and one of the
most effective ways of doing this is by allowing your employees unique brilliance to
shine through. Does the team accountant do her best from home? If possible, let her.
Does the administrative assistant have a talent for graphic design that would be useful
to a particular project? Let him make magic in your corner office while you cover his
phone shift and keep the coffee pot brewing. Sure, you graduated from assistant
positions years ago, but acknowledging that the teams success is more important than
your ego is a powerful and energizing way to lead by example and get the best results.

4. Build rapport, everywhere. Great managers understand that they shouldnt

limit their professional relationship-building efforts to the people on their team. They
also recognize that getting to know the people at the bottom of the ladder is just as
important if not more so than getting to know the people at the top. People who
get big things done are people who know their resources, both inside and outside of
the company.Remember, the best time to get to know someone is when you dont
need anything from him or her, so go ahead and set up an informal lunch and start
building a friendly rapport.

5. Focus on business development. The fastest way to becoming invaluable to a

company is by identifying and dedicating time to business development
opportunitieseven if your job has nothing to do with it. Every organization has a
bottom line, and if youre bringing in new opportunities, you will always be seen as
adding to, not depleting, the companys resources. Keep your business radar receptive
to the opportunities that exist in your daily life, and watch how you translate a long
line at Starbucks SBUX -0.12% into a business opportunity with the person in front of
you. At all times, and be sure to let your boss know if youre going on lunch dates that
could lead to new accounts or partnerships.If you can bring in meetings and think
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strategically about networking and creating opportunities for your company, you are
the head honcho in no time.

The manager title may feel like a heavy hat to wear, but dont be intimidated by it.
Rather than questioning your capabilities, focus on maintaining a positive mindset and
honoring the professional identity you have created for yourself. Look for opportunities
to build relationships, take responsibility for your team, and never let a bad day or
several bad days deter you from your vision.

The managers who succeed are those who wake up day after day committed to
moving beyond their comfort zone, despite the fear they feel in doing so.
Its this simple: successful people are willing to do what other people arent.

Bosses Tell Us: 11 Things That Will Get You Promoted

This article is from our friends at LearnVest , a leading site for women and their money.

Have you ever been promoted? If so, congratulations. If not, there might be something
you can do about that.

And we don't mean " be more confident " or "be more passionate." We mean specific
actions you can take to impress your superiorsand take home a bigger paycheck.
Even if you're not specifically looking for a flashier title or more money (although who
isn't?), these tips will help you becomeor remaina valued employee.

How did we find such useful tips? We asked the boss.

In fact, we interviewed nearly a dozen bosses, in fields ranging from marketing and
tech to new media, executive recruiting, and financial planning. They spoke, on the
condition of anonymity, to share exactly why they'd promoted a direct report in the
past. From telling the boss when she's wrong to schmoozing at happy hour , their
answers just might surprise you.

1. Tell Me I'm Wrong

"I love when someone smart challenges my thinking," says one boss.
That's not to say you should be arguing with your supervisors on a regular basis, but if
you have a well-thought-out point that disagrees with your boss's plan, consider
bringing it up directly. As this boss says, "I love it even more when a person has the
data, facts, or examples to actually make his or her point."

2. Bring the Bad News First

"Don't tell me how fantastic you are. Tell me what is going wrong and, even more
importantly, what you are going to do to fix it."
Ultimately, a mistake or issue is your boss's responsibility, so make sure your
supervisor is aware of any large-scale or constant problems. This doesn't mean you
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should email every time the printer is a little wonky, but you should make sure your
boss is apprised of any serious issues.
This serves two purposes: First, it lets your boss know you're on top of the problem and
working to fix it. Second, it gives your boss the time to work on her own solution, or at
least prepare for a different course of actionand to present it to her boss.

3. Be Drama-Free
"I don't care if you don't like the person you sit next to or think the the Post-It notes
should be yellow, not blue. Bring me drama and I am certain that you are not worthy of
the next step."
Especially in an office environment, we have to work closely with different
personalities and in less-than-ideal situations. Unless there's a real problem (read: you
feel unsafe or can't complete your work), keep complaints to yourself. As one boss
says, " Your job is to make your boss's life easier , not plop your drama on his or her
lap. Save that for your friends and family or your diary."
Another boss agrees: "If you gossip a lot, it's a problem."

4. Smile
"Your boss would like to harbor the fantasy that you actually like your job, since she is
paying you, spending more time with you than her family, and helping you more than
you realize," one boss told us. "You can at least smile and seem like you are enjoying
things in return."
You don't need to blind every passerby with your pearly whites, but remember that no
matter how close your deadline or how heavy your workload, other people will take
their cues from you. If you're snapping at co-workers and frowning, they'll snap and
frown right back. Instead, take a breath, put on a smile, and show your boss you
appreciate the opportunity.

5. Take Notes
"We hate having to tell you things over and over. No boss should ever have to go over
directions more than once. If you don't understand the direction when it is being given,
clarify right then and there and take good notes instead of depending on your
memory."
We've all been therenodding and smiling and filing away the tasks we're given in a
meeting, only to get back to our desks having lost those mental files. Impress your
supervisor by keeping a paper and pen (or laptop, if that's acceptable at your office) at
hand, ready to record the things you need to remember.
Taking the time to write things down is especially helpful, as it gives you a minute to
process your instructions and think of any questions you need to ask then and there.

6. Never Skip the Office Party

You know how they say that as many business deals are made on the golf course as in
the office? That same principle applies to the office party. One boss points out that
skipping the chance to socialize with your co-workers means you're missing basic office
news (think: who is preparing to leave) and alienating yourself from the people who sit
next to you 8+ hours of your day.
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When it comes time to pick a team member for an advantageous project or conference
in Hawaii, who will be chosen? Not what's-her-name, that girl who never comes to the
party.

7. Don't Expect to be Rewarded

"In order to get a promotion, you need to actually be worth it!" says one boss. "Don't
walk around with the air that you deserve it, because that sense of entitlement is going
to get you nowhere."
Confidence is one thing; arrogance is another. Yes, you were the top of your class in
college and yes, you dominated your last project, but it's a fine line between letting
your work speak for you and duct-taping it to your boss's computer. Worried your boss
doesn't notice your achievements? Set up a meeting to talk about what you've been
working on, and ask for feedback.
But don't get too worried your accomplishments are going unnoticed. As one boss says:
"Let's be honestI promote people with good personalities. Your ability to be
professional and also eager, motivated, and thoughtful about decisions and
interactions with others is significant."

8. Hold Up Your End

"It's awful when you claim to be a team player, but complain when you are given
responsibilities to help on a project."
"Team player" is cliched for a reasonbecause every boss wants to see that quality in
a potential employee. In recent years, "team" has come to replace every office unit
from department to entire company, and every employee is expected to be a team
player.

Complaining about your role on the team is both futile and aggravating to your boss.
Where is she supposed to find you a sub? If you aren't a team player, the real fix is to
learn the rules of the gameand fast.

9. Ask How You Can Help

"You should be asking me if there is anything else you can be working on to help grow
the company or the project, instead of waiting around for me to tell you what to do."
There's another word for that, one that appears next on the "cliched for a reason" list:
initiative. Clearly, you shouldn't be asking your boss to hold your hand during every
step of a project, but a well-timed "What can I do to help?" or "I noticed that [task]
needs doingI'll tackle that," is much appreciated.

10. Have a Solution

Wrong: "You tell me you have a problemwell, actually, you whine about something
which I understand means you have a problemand you come in with zero solutions
on how to fix it."

Right: "You come up with new and successful ideas on your own and take initiative to
do something we already do and do it better without being asked."

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One boss told us she's happy to give advice to people who ask for it, but she's "looking
to promote people who can think their way out of something on their own."
To please a boss like this, you can follow one rule of thumb: Never bring up a problem
without a possible solution to recommend. Brainstorm feasible, reasonable solutions
to the problem you have (get tips on being a better brainstormer here ). When you
present it to your boss, launch right into what you recommend as a solution.

11. Know Your Joband Do It

"If I have asked you twice and you don't pay any attention to what you need to do as a
part of your job, I will not see you as valuable or smart," says one boss.
Since you're already taking notes (see tip #5), make sure you scribble somewhere
exactly what your responsibilities are, and make sure you prioritize them. Along the
same lines, it's important to know which tasks are crucial, and which can take a
backseat.

One boss had the following recommendation: "I think the best candidates for
promotion are those who best can gently ' manage up ' within their ranks and can find
the balance needed to do gold star work while still knowing when to draw the line and
say, 'I can do this for you, or I can do that for Mr. Smith, but I cannot get both done
today. I feel like [this task] is the prioritywould you agree?'"

13 Ways to Show Your Boss You're Ready for the Big Promotion

If youve been at the same job for some time, its all too easy to just assume that a
promotion will come along every year, like a bonus for time served. But you have to do
more than log hours to make it to the next level. More responsibility means actively
showing (and sometimes telling) your boss that youre ready to take on a new role.

To show you just how its done, 13 entrepreneurs from Young Entrepreneur
Councilweighed in with tips on getting promoted, based on their own employees
theyve seen rise through the ranks.

1. Make Your Boss Obsolete

Its ironic, but the best way to get promoted is to make your boss job easier. And the
best way to do that is to make his or her job obsolete. Youre not really putting your
manager out of a jobyoure allowing him or her to trust your work. In turn, he or she
can focus on new areas that the higher-ups have needed to address for some time.
Strong work goes up the chain, improves the company, and gets you noticed.
Ankur Gopal , Interapt

2. Summarize Work Visually

When talking about your work, give us something to look at. When you answer the
question, Why are people buying? show a chart of the top responses as well as how
many people gave each response. It makes everyone a believer when we can see a
quick visual snapshot that backs up what youre saying.
13
 Adam Grant , Campus Commandos

3. Own Projects From Start to Finish

Organizations place a premium on individuals who follow through on tasks. If you can
prove that you can consistently own projects from start to finish, you will not only get
promoted, but youll also make yourself indispensable.
Kyle Wong , Pixlee

4. Keep a Positive Attitude

The people who typically get promoted keep their cool under stress. They also act as a
role model to everyone around them. They meet deadlines and ask relevant, intelligent
questions that help clients be happier with our services. When an issue arises, they
want to solve it and work to avoid future problems by learning from their mistakes.
Nicole Munoz , Start Ranking Now

5. Raise Other Team Members Performance

I look for people who are completing their assignments and asking what that next task
is going to be. They help their colleagues instead of stepping on them in their climb up
the ladder. I love to promote people on my team who raise the performance of
everybody around them.
Joshua Lee , StandOut Authority

6. Make Your Boss Aware You Want the Promotion

It seems quite simple, but expressing your desire for a particular promotion is very
helpful. Sometimes management may not know you want it, or has not thought of you
as a candidate, especially if its outside of your current department. Often management
will tell you what you need to do to get the position if they know you want it. Be
humble, inquisitive, passionate, and hungry.
Joshua Waldron , Silencerco, LLC

7. Show Pride in Your Work

Competence, diligence, intelligence, loyaltythese all matter, but what matters most is
the inherent will to do the best work possible. The work is what matters, and employees
who take it personally, who own their work as a reflection of their values and take pride
in doing good work, are the employees I trust with positions of responsibility.
Vik Patel , Future Hosting

8. Avoid Office Politics and Gossip

The qualities we considered most were those that demonstrate integrity and
trustworthinesswhich we measured by looking at who chose not to participate in
office politics and gossip. While its important to understand the balance of office
politics, individuals who are able to rise above the temptations stand out most as those
I think would be the fairest to others in management roles.
Souny West , CHiC Capital

9. Display Commitment
14
When people are really committed, you can tell by the quality of their work, the effort
they put in, and the relationships they develop. When employees show commitment,
we notice and try to reward them with deserved promotions.
Alfredo Atanacio , Uassist.ME

10. Demonstrate That You Can Solve Client Problems

To get promoted, you have to show that you can take the initiative and help our clients
solve their problems. Since I run a marketing company, I am looking for people who can
implement creative and effective campaigns that make both us and our clients shine.
This also means being able to work independently, without having to be told what to do
every step of the way.
Shawn Porat , Fortune Cookie Advertising

11. Be Exceptional
I want to promote from within, but its important that clients and co-workers see the
justification. I need team members to make a significant impact on their clientswho
really wow them. If they dont have a client-facing position, they should be the go-to
person for their colleagues.
Eddie Lou , Shiftgig

12. Make Money

If someone is making money, theyll be promoted. Making money is the ultimate
internal currency. All other internal performance metrics can be translated into the
money-making metric. And yes, saving money is making money, too. Anyone who
understands enough of the business ROI levers to structure and ask for more resources
or a different title will probably get it and keep moving up each time the argument is
made.
Ross Resnick , Roaming Hunger

13. Attract and Manage Great Talent

At a fast-growing company, hiring quality people quickly is one of the most important
goals. Thats why I place great value on people who can bring in additional talent
through their existing networks, convince that talent to join our company, and cultivate
those individuals into productive team members. Showing that you can build and
manage a profitable team is a clear path to promotion.
Sathvik Tantry, FormSwift

Wiki: How to Get a Promotion

Do you feel like you're stuck in your current job? Are you ready to move up? It's tough
to climb the corporate ladder, but if you want a job that excites you and pays well,
you'll likely have to make the climb at some point. If you want to get a promotion,
you'll need to be a patient team player while also being an ambitious self-promoter. It's
a difficult balance to strike, but these tips can help.

15
Steps

1
Work for a company that can give you room to grow. The type of company you work
for can determine your potential for promotion. When applying for jobs, seek out
companies with opportunity for advancement. You don't have to work for a huge
corporation, although these usually offer plenty of promotion possibilities at any given
time, but you do want to look for a company that has enough going on so that you can
be assured you're not running into a dead end. Preferably this company will be doing
well and growing, though many companies, especially very large ones, tend to grow in
cycles.

2
Concentrate on just doing the best you possibly can in your current position. Excellent
performance reviews aren't sufficient to get you a promotion, but they're necessary for
it. So are good attendance, punctuality, and a willingness to go the extra mile when the
company needs it. Showing up 5 minutes early and leaving 5 minutes after your shift
can turn into a fortune of extra income over your lifetime when you are the one that
gets the promotion.

3
Make sure people know you're doing a great job. You don't want to toot your own horn
too much, but you can't always expect your merits to speak for themselves. Keep in
good contact with your supervisor, and make sure he or she knows what you've been
up to (assuming you've had some smashing successes). Don't be an attention grabber
or "brown-nose," but make sure people know who you are and make sure you get
credit where credit is due.

4
Be popular. In an ideal world, promotions would be based solely on merit. We don't
live in an ideal world, though, and office politics will often play a role in who gets
promoted and who doesn't. Use and develop your people skills. Be kind and helpful to
your coworkers, supervisors, and underlings. Develop relationships with people you
work with, play golf with the boss, and get to know people (other than your immediate
supervisor) who make decisions in the company. Be present at company events and
network with people from outside your department.

5
Make sure the right people know you want a promotion. Don't be afraid to tell your
supervisor about your career goals--most good supervisors will ask you about them and
try to be helpful. Continue to do a great job in your current position, and don't seem
fed up with your current work, but let decision makers know if you really want a
particular job.

16
Apply for jobs within the company. These days you can't just wait for a promotion to
fall in your lap. That happens sometimes, but most promotions, especially at large
companies, require you to go through the application and interview process, and
usually you'll have to compete with candidates from outside the company.
Apply for the right positions. Don't just apply for any opportunity that pays a bit more
than your current job. Look for opportunities that you are genuinely interested in and
that you are qualified for. You don't have to have all the skills listed in the job
description, and you probably won't, but you want to be able to make a good case that
you'll be able to get up to speed quickly.

Take the application process seriously. Too often, internal candidates figure they've got
the new job in the bag, but studies show that as few as 1/3 of internal candidates win
the better jobs they seek. External candidates can be extremely competitive because
they have no pretenses of security--they want the job, and they know they'll have to
put their best foot forward to get it. In addition, companies sometimes want to bring in
new people to bring new skills or perspectives to the organization. The lesson here:
don't be complacent, and remember to "sell" yourself as you would if you were
applying for any other job.

7
Seek out new skills. If you become the best customer service representative of all time,
you're well on your way... to remaining a highly regarded customer service
representative for the rest of your career. It's not enough to be great at your job; you
also have to develop marketable skills that prepare you for more responsibility. When
you gain skills and qualifications far beyond what your current job requires, your
employer may see keeping you in that job as a waste of your talents.
Go to school. If you haven't earned a Bachelors degree, do it. If you have, consider
earning a Masters or PhD, but only if one of these qualifications will help you achieve
your career goals. Don't just go back to school for the heck of it. Instead think about
what programs will help you climb the corporate ladder. Sometimes specialized
professional designations or licenses can be far more important to getting a promotion
than degrees, and sometimes you may just need to take some classes to improve your
computer skills or accounting ability, for example. There are a wide range of education
programs available that allow you to go to class in the evenings or on weekends, and
there are also ample opportunities for accredited self-study and online learning.
What's more, your employer may reimburse you for certain tuition expenses, so it may
be possible for you to expand your knowledge at no cost to yourself.
Learn a second/third language. Due to the increasing globalization of the world in
general, more and more companies will be looking for people that know multiple
languages. Learning more than one language also means you don't need a translator,
which opens up international posts (such as a manager for an entire continent, as
opposed to a state or small country).

Take on temporary projects. Temporary projects can be a great way to broaden your
skills and network with people from other areas of the company. Many people feel

17
uncomfortable volunteering for these assignments because they can be challenging
and can force you out of your comfort zone. That's the point.
Volunteer. If you're not getting new skills at work, consider volunteering your spare
time to a non-profit organization. Large, well-recognized non-profits almost always
offer a wealth of opportunities to learn new things, and smaller organizations may also
have suitable projects you could work on. Successful non-profits typically look to fill
volunteer positions with people who are qualified to do the job, but with a little
persistence you should be able to find an opportunity that uses your existing skills and
helps you build new skills. Your community involvement can also be a plus toward your
getting your promotion.

8
Get a mentor. A strong relationship with a manager or someone higher up in your
department can open a lot of doors for you. For one thing, you'll likely learn a lot about
the organization and about the jobs you might want to get in the future. For another,
you'll have an ally who will be willing to go to bat for you when you do decide to apply
for a new opportunity. Finally, your mentor may groom you to succeed him or her
when they move up or retire.
9
Groom a successor. It's a common paradox: you're so good at your job that you're
indispensable, but you're so indispensable in your current position that the company
would fall apart if you were to leave that position. The solution to this problem is to
take another employee under your wing and train him or her so that they will be ready
to fill your shoes if you get promoted. Some people are afraid that their understudy will
take their job if they do this, but as long as you're a great employee and continue to
develop your skills, the only way you'll lose your current job is by getting promoted.
Training another employee (or several) also shows that you have management skills
and that you care about helping other employees develop their skills.

10
Develop a new position. If you figure out a better way to do your existing job or see the
need for a new position, don't be afraid to talk to management about creating this
position. Since you're the one who saw the need and, presumably, you're best qualified
for the position, this can help you take on new responsibilities, even if you don't get a
big pay raise at first.

11
Seek employment elsewhere. If, for whatever reason, you seem to be at a dead end
with your current employer, it's time to look for better opportunities elsewhere. This
can be hard if you feel a loyalty to your employer, but you do need to do what is in the
best interest of your career or you will become unhappy with your job. Recent surveys
show that as many as 75 percent of employees are looking for new jobs at any given
time, so you won't be alone.

How to Get Promoted at Work

18
Tips and Advice on How to Get a Promotion

By Alison Doyle Updated July 16, 2017

What can you do if you're interested in a promotion and it doesn't appear that you're
going to be automatically offered a new position by your manager? There are ways to
request a promotion diplomatically and to enhance your candidacy for promotion.
Here's how.

Tips and Advice on How to Get Promoted

Before you ask for that promotion, be sure that you're doing all the right things to help
ensure that the answer will be positive.

Here are some of the factors employers consider when evaluation employees for
promotion.

Do a Great Job. How you perform in your current position is going to be important
when you're considered for a promotion. Excellent performance reviews and your
reputation as an above-average employee will carry a lot of weight when the company
is making staffing decisions.

Be a Team Player. Volunteer to help with new projects in the office. Volunteer for
committees or task forces. Offer to help your boss and co-workers whenever time
permits. You'll be known as a team player and an individual that colleagues want to
work with. Check out this list of teamwork skills to get an idea of what employers are
looking for.

Don't Miss Work. Be on time for work and don't take more time off than you are
allocated. If you're known as a sloucher and someone who misses more work than is
appropriate, it will be held against you.

Network and Get Noticed. Attend company parties and gatherings. The more
connected and engaged you are with your colleagues, the more they will know about
you and the more you'll stand out when it comes time to consider you for promotion.
Managers are more likely to promote an employee they know well than a random
applicant they don't know much about.
Continue Your Education. If your company offers opportunities for professional
development classes, take advantage of as many as you can. If your skills need
updating or advancing, take continuing education or college classes. This way, your
technical skills will be top level.

How to Ask for a Promotion

19
Be Prepared to Ask. Your employer may recognize your star qualities and offer you a
promotion. Of course, it's much easier when it happens that way. However, for some
jobs and at some organizations you may need to apply for a promotion. Expect that
you may have to ask or apply for the promotion you want.

Discuss With Your Boss. Be sure to let your boss know that you are interviewing for a
new position. You'll want him or her on your team because your references will be
checked. It's not a good idea to keep it a secret because your boss is going to find out.
It's better that he or she hears it from you than from human resources. Do offer to help
with the transition if you're selected for promotion.

Check Open Job Listings. Most large companies and many smaller companies list job
openings on the company website. Some positions may be open to internal candidates
prior to being available for external applicants, so you'll have a jump on the
competition.

Check regularly for new listings and apply for jobs that are a good fit for your
background and experience.

Follow the Application Process. Don't presume you're going to get the job. The
company may be considering external candidates as well as other employees for the
job. Also, don't presume that the hiring manager or department manager reviewing
your qualifications will know your background. Take the time to update
your resumeand to write a targeted cover letter for the job you are interested in.
Follow the application process, if there is a formal procedure for applying for internal
job postings.

Get References. Ask your supervisor and other managers you've worked with for a
letter of recommendation. References, especially from high-level staff, carry a lot of
weight. Here's a sample letter of recommendation for a promotion to review.

Ace the Promotion Interview. When you are being considered for a promotion or
applying for a new job within the company, you may be required to interview for the
position. Here are tips for acing a job promotion interview, so you can be prepared for
an opportunity to move up the career ladder.

Send a Thank You Note. Send a thank you note or thank you email message to
everyone you interviewed with reiterating your interest in the position.

Take the Time to Say Goodbye. If all goes well and you're offered the promotion, take
the time to say goodbye to your current co-workers and to let them know you'll stay in
touch. Do wait until after the company formally announces your promotion to tell
them. It's important that the company makes the announcement first before you tell
your colleagues.

20
How to be promoted to manager

Promotions are the most encouraging forms of recognition because the efforts that
you give daily in your job have finally paid off. Of course, reaching goals and finishing
projects are big things that people are able to complete at the end of the day or the
week. However, most people rarely get the recognition they need after finishing the
tasks that they have. In getting a promotion, you will not only feel that you have
achieved something, but the people around you will do, too. The many perks that you
can enjoy as a manager include personal fulfillment, respect from others, and a higher
salary, as well. Getting promoted to a higher position like that of a manager would be a
bigger achievement because of the privileges and the authority that you get to achieve.
There are many responsibilities that a manager has. Due to this fact, you must have the
right managerial skills for you to be able to learn how to be promoted to manager.

Ongoing Managerial Quest

Becoming a manager is an ongoing quest. You must carefully climb up the corporate
ladder until you finally achieve the position that you would want to have. Being
promoted to manager begins with how you are able to finish tasks ahead of time. As a
part of your job, projects will be given to you from time to time. Your performance will
indicate if you would be able to handle bigger and more complex jobs in the future.
When aiming for a managerial position, you must always be able to complete the jobs
given to you at an exceptional quality. But, do not feel too complacent because your
boss will surely try your skills over and over again to ensure that you are able to deliver
well each time which guarantees your great performance once you are given a higher
position.

how to be promoted to managerYou must also be knowledgeable of the ins and outs of
the entire business. As a manager, it is important that you know who you could turn to
for help whenever it is needed. Knowing what to do is also needed when performing
tasks as you become a manager. Because of all these requirements, a boss will look for
more tenured employees to take on the role of a manager because of their knowledge
about the job that they perform. Now that you are aware of this, you will be more
aware of how long you are in a company and the contributions that you give. For some
people, they prefer to move from one job to another for them to achieve a higher
position at work. But with hard work, positive attitude, and loyalty, you will be able to
climb up that ladder in the company you work for faster compared to moving to
another company.

Company Culture for Promotions

The most important thing to keep in mind to help you discover how to be promoted to
manager relies on the culture of the company that you work for. There are various
cultures that companies have. Some have a very relaxed atmosphere which encourages
the artistic ideas to flow, while others are highly result-oriented. Learn what your boss
appreciates and focus on this more. The type of industry your company has will also
21
dictate how you should work and how managers must be like. Companies that focus on
certain products or services will look for managers that are able to help employees in
customer relations and marketing. For those that work in places that are concerned
about entertainment and fashion, their artistry and connections in the business would
be appreciated.

Many aspects are considered before one will be able to be promoted to managerial
positions. If this is the dream that you wish to achieve, you must begin will your quest
as soon as possible. You must know the important people, places, and things in your
job for you to become a good manager. This will certainly be appreciated by your boss,
too. Drawing the attention of other people to the way you perform on your job will
soon determine the result of your promotion. It is still important that even if you have
been able to achieve your dream to become a manager, you must still perform the
same way when you were still on a quest to reach this position.

How to Get Promoted This Month: Impress Your Boss by Doing These 7 Things

I once made a really big hiring mistake. After a series of promising interviews, I took on
an intern whose level of professionalism, performance, and overall demeanor quickly
took a turn for the worse. I discussed it with my supervisor, we agreed that it was in
everyone's best interests not to move forward with the internship.

However, when we sat her down to talk, she countered our concerns about her
performance by saying, "But ... I was driving all the way from [insert desolate location
here] to get here every day."

I recall staring at her blankly. Since when does the length of your commute warrant
special praise?

We all wake up every morning, brush our teeth (hopefully), and make our way to work.
However, the simple truth is that the act of "showing up" isnt enough to propel career
advancement. The most successful people earn the attention and respect of their
bosses by proving they're an asset to the team. So if you've ever entertained the
thought of how to get promoted -- or, at least, how to impress your boss -- we've
identified a few things every boss would love to see you doing.

How to Get Promoted With 7 Great Behaviors

1) Take ownership.

At HubSpot, we've been known to "fire" our best people.

No, that wasn't a typo.

22
Here's how it works: If you have a great idea -- and you can prove that it actually
delivers -- you will be fired from your day job to own and grow that idea. After all,
that's what happened to HubSpot's former VP of Sales, Pete Caputa. The story goes,
according to CEO Brian Halligan speaking to Inc:

In 2008, one of our sales reps came to me with an idea that he believed could
revolutionize HubSpot. At the time, we sold our software directly to consumers. But
the rep, Pete Caputa, thought HubSpot should have a reseller channel in order to
expand the business model. Basically, he wanted to sell our core product to third
parties, who would then turn around and sell the product to their customers."

Halligan was far from sold on the idea, but he decided to give Caputa an opportunity to
prove himself. "If you want to do it so bad, start doing it nights and weekends and
show us this will work," he said.

Not long after accepting the challenge, Caputa was, in fact, encouraged to leave his day
job here to grow what is now HubSpot's Agency Partner Program.

Our point: Don't be afraid to bring big ideas to the table. That's the type of behavior
that good bosses love to see because it illustrates your ability to solve problems for the
business (and customers) on a high level. And while it's easy to solve problems that
specifically pertain to you and your reports, the goal is to identify and solve problems
that influence the grand scheme of things. Think like a founder, and your boss will take
note.

2) Support your colleagues.

Depending on your industry, getting ahead at work might sometimes feel like a dog-
eat-dog type of situation. And while the old saying goes, Nice guys finish last, there is
actually an opportunity for self-advancement through the act of helping others. Not to
mention, if your boss catches you in the act, it can highlight your ability to be
remarkably helpful: a trait almost every good boss cares about.

But dont just take it from me. Adam Grant, author of Give and Take: A Revolutionary
Approach to Success, also has something to say about it:

The more I help out, the more successful I become. But I measure success in what it
has done for the people around me. That is the real accolade."

In this book, Grant dives into the idea that in the workplace, people can be divided into
three categories: takers, matchers, and givers.

Takers are known to, well, take from other people.

23
Matchers are more apt to make even exchanges.

Givers separate themselves from the rest by doing good without expectations for
reciprocation.

Grant goes on to provide examples of successful givers throughout history, such as U.S.
President Abraham Lincoln, venture capitalist David Hornik, and businessman Jon
Huntsman, Sr. So do yourself a favor and dig into their accomplishments a bit -- we
have a hunch that itll inspire you to rethink the potential benefits of lending a helping
hand.

3) Measure and report.

Not long ago, I swore I saw a notable actor from the TV show "Lost" on my flight.

I excitedly texted my friend to tell him, to which he replied, "Send pictures, or it didn't
happen."

That request got me thinking about our innate desire to "see it to believe it." If my own
friend wouldn't believe my claims without photo evidence, why would my boss simply
take my word for it when it comes time to talk about my performance?

The simple truth: Most bosses are busy, leaving little time for them to investigate
whether or not you're accomplishing what you're supposed to be accomplishing. If
you're not vocal (and visual) about your performance, you run the risk of going
unnoticed. That's why supervisors love to see employees who not only measure their
efforts but also report on them. Clear, specific, goal-oriented reports serve as one of
the most effective ways to communicate your progress and prove to your boss that
you're capable of taking on more.

In terms of what to include in these reports, focus on ROI. While vanity metrics like
social media views might be worth noting for yourself, your boss wants to see how
your efforts are specifically influencing the bottom line.

"Don't just report on what you crossed off your to-do list, report on what those
activities achieved. So often, young staff want to prove that they're working," explains
HubSpot's VP of Marketing, Meghan Keaney Anderson. "We know you're working. We
see it and are proud of you for it. Prove not that you're working, but that what you are
doing is working."

4) Be proactive, not reactive.

24
"My kids will have chocolate dripping from their mouths, and Ill say, 'Did you just eat
chocolate?'" Peter Bregman, author of Four Seconds, once recounted for HBR's
IdeaCast. "And theyll be like, 'No, I didnt just eat chocolate.'"

What in the world does that have to do with impressing your boss? Well, it's a silly, yet
accurate example of how you sound when youre being reactive -- and maybe even a
little defensive -- rather than proactive. Not a situation youd want to be caught in with
your boss, right?

From a psychological perspective, we react to avoid punishment. Its a direct result of

the stimulation that our amygdala -- a subcortical brain structure that is linked to both
fear responses and pleasure -- experiences when we're caught off-guard. And while its
unrealistic to assume that you'll never be faced with a quick decision in front of your
boss, proactive employees aim to control situations by causing things to happen, rather
than waiting to respond after things happen.

What does that look like, though? Well, aside from taking steps to plan ahead and
anticipate what-ifs, Bregman encourages people to pause for four seconds before
responding to something. That way, you're allowing yourself a moment to process the
situation you've been faced with, which can help you strategically and intentionally
choose the words that you're going to say -- instead of instinctively saying something
that you dont mean.

5) Make more with less.

Part of being a noteworthy employee is being able to adapt to the industry and
company changes that, eventually, will come your way. Lets say, for example, that
your company runs into an unplanned expense, or an important member of the team
unexpectedly gives her two weeks notice. That could certainly throw a wrench in your
budget and bandwidth, couldnt it?

Some employees might see these events as a huge setback -- one that serves as an
excuse for falling short on goals. But the most successful people find a way to do more
with less -- and the really successful people find a way to do better with less.

Take that hypothetical budgeting issue. If it forces you to reduce or reallocate funds for
freelancers, dont use it as an excuse to allow content production to come to a halt.
Instead, consider what you can do to turn the situation around. Maybe you work
toward creating one strong piece of content on your own, like an ebook, that can be
repurposed as separate blog articles to fill your editorial calendar until the budget gets
back to a healthy level. Or, what about reaching out to a co-marketing partner to join
forces on a piece of content that benefits you both?

25
Another great way to demonstrate your ability to do more with less would be to scale
back the average time of your meetings. According to the book Time Talent Energy:
Overcome Organizational Drag & Unleash Your Teams Productive Power, "the average
organization spends 15% of its collective time in meetings." That plays into the belief
that simply working longer hours is comparable to doing more with less when really,
it's all about making better use of your time. Cutting your meeting time in half will
force you to get to the point quicker -- and leave you with extra time to allocate toward
other projects and tasks.

Remember: Excuses dont promote career advancement. Solutions do.

6) Welcome feedback.

I have a confession to make. I hate it when I don't have the answer for something. I
want to think I know everything -- so when I'm faced with the reality that I don't,
admitting so is a bitter pill to swallow. But being able to do so is a big part of getting
ahead.

That's one reason why it can be so helpful to welcome third-party feedback when we
need to know what we're missing -- like when you've worked on a long-term project,
and you start to see any progress through rose-colored glasses. At that stage, it's most
helpful to invite an outsider in to poke holes in your approach. Whats working? Whats
missing? What is needed to take this project from good to great?

According to Gallup, the most engaged employees are the ones who meet with their
managers at least once a week -- which suggests that both positive and negative
feedback, as well as overall effective communication, plays an instrumental role in the
way we perceive goals. Asking for that kind of time with your manager is a reasonable
request, if you make it count. Make sure that you're prepared to handle whatever
feedback comes your way. While positive feedback is often pretty easy to accept,
negative feedback can come as a challenge for many but is often the most valuable.

To ensure that you make the most out of constructive criticism, take note of the
following tips:

Listen. Sure, it's easy to tune someone out when you're not particularly thrilled with
what they are saying, but that doesn't make it right. Give the person the respect she
deserves by listening to what she has to say, before you interject.

26
Ask clarifying questions. If you don't understand the point someone is trying to make,
don't hesitate to ask him to elaborate. Following up with questions will help to ensure
that you both walk away on the same page.

Consider the source. All feedback is not created equal. While getting some honest
feedback from a co-worker who knows little about your project may help you to
identify weak spots, it's important that you focus on the feedback coming from those
to whom you report. In other words, give attention and energy where they're due
most.

7) Smile.

We hate to sound like a bunch of "Pollyannas," but trust us: No supervisor wants to
walk into an office and see a team of people that look like they are suffering through a
dental appointment. Not only is it detrimental to company morale, but it also sends a
signal that there's something wrong with his management. If there is, that's an
important conversation to have -- but not by going around looking like someone just
asked you to spend the day watching paint dry.

At work (and at home), its important to try to focus on the positive, no matter what's
on your plate. According to a 2010 study from the National Bureau of Economic
Research, it pays to be positive -- literally. Not only did it find that optimistically
inclined MBA students have an easier time finding jobs compared to their peers, but
also, they saw a 5-10% increase in the probability of being promoted over their
pessimistic peers.

Note to Self: Keep On and Smile On

Research like the study cited above taps into the idea that success can correlate with
an ability to stay positive, even when completing overwhelming tasks.

And really, those findings align with many of the behaviors we've covered here. Even
when something happens at work to upset us, proactively addressing it is more likely to
be productive than reactively sulking and wallowing in it.

It may sound cliche, but beneath most of these tips is the foundation of a good
attitude. So the next time something at the office bums you out -- or you're searching
for the best way to progress in your career -- revisit this list to see what you can
actively do about it.

How To Promote A First-Time Manager Without Pi$$ing Off Everyone Else

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By David Hassell

When your business is growing fast, you spend a ton of time and resources hiring new
people and promoting from within. Unfortunately, promoting people can be costly.
Some new managers get caught in the ego trip, or their subordinates can feel bitter
because they were overlooked for advancement:

Really, you promoted Jerry? He doesnt even know what a pivot table is. How do you
ensure that Jerry doesnt blow it and scare away the rest of the sales team? The best
advice I can give a new manager is: instead of making assumptions, take the time to
gather team feedback by asking the right questions.

1) Get on the same side of the table literally!

Sometimes tensions arise between new managers and their former peers. The first
step is for the manager to get back on the same side of the table as the employee.

And I mean that literally. During the initial meetings following a promotion, managers
should sit next to employees instead of across from them. This small action will take
away the me vs you energy, and lets employees know that both people are on the
same team and will work out any issues together.

Then try putting yourself in your employees shoes, instead of being judgmental and
making them wrong. There is always a logical reason for their point of view. Perhaps
they feel threatened or insecure in their abilities. Great managers try to see that
instead of feeling disrespected. From that place of understanding, relationships can be
built or repaired.

If someone got passed over for a promotion, their manager could think stop crying, if
you had worked harder you would be sitting in this chair instead of me. A much more
productive frame is to view their discomfort or jealousy as a sign of their ambition to
be a manager.

Take some time to understand, get their world, and reflect what you see back to them.
From there, so many positive conversations are possible: I get that stepping into
management is something you would like to achieve. Lets plan to help you achieve
that develop skills and goals to get you there either here or wherever your career
takes you.

2) Point out the elephant

Should managers communicate issues with employees right away or give them time to
adapt?

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In general, most people are conflict avoidant. Its uncomfortable. That is why gossip
prevails in the workplace. That energy of feeling upset has to go somewhere usually
in complaints to others.Complaining make everything worse because by talking about it
people are perpetuating their anger or frustration and nothing resolves.

The best practice is to face the short term discomfort of a difficult conversation as soon
as possible. This avoids dissatisfactions that build between manager and employee
until the feelings become unbearable and irreparable. We all know how difficult it is to
be amicable with someone once you have a grudge against them.

Every manager on my team shares performance standards and asks each employee if
they are clear on their roles and responsibilities. If performance falls, managers
continue the conversation by asking how they can support the employees
improvement. This may be an uncomfortable conversation to have with a former peer,
but without setting expectations everyone is set up for failure.

3) Dont let it go to your head.

Being promoted to management is a significant accomplishment in a persons career

and should certainly be celebrated. Unfortunately, that pride sometimes descends into
a power-trip. If you are receiving disdain from your peers, it may not be jealousy it
might be you.

Most people will deny that they are that way while simultaneously pointing out the
faults of others. So as part of your regular regimen of questions, ask your team, How
am I doing as a manager? What can I do better?

Feeling superior and that others are only there to serve you, dehumanizes employees
and makes them feel like resources instead of people. To shift out of a feeling of
superiority, managers can ask themselves what their motivations are.Maybe it is to
create something meaningful or to become financially successful. Employees have
similar motivations.Supporting them to get what they want elicits loyalty and respect,
not fear and contempt.

Fostering great relationships with employees takes time, but managers can get started
on the right foot by understanding each employees individual experience and their
professional goals. That will lead to the success of the entire team and the opportunity
for future career advancement.

Congratulations on Your Promotion to Manager. Now What?

My first day as a new manager was a Monday in 1993. I was working with six people on
a software quality assurance team. And when our old manager moved on to another
company, I was asked to step into the role.

29
I spent all weekend thinking about itthe message I wanted to convey, exactly what I
would say, how I would say it. I showed up on my first day, gathered my team, my
friends reallyI knew their families, we went out togetherand told them
how I would be as a new manager. What I would do. What I expected from them. What
they should expect from me.

What I remember most clearly (and painfully) is them looking at me like I was an alien.
Like I had gone over to the dark side.

Ouch.
When you become a manager, work is no longer about you. Its 100% about your team.
And here I was, on day one, making it all about me.
My intentions were good, but I was showing a total lack of humility and perspective. I
was telling instead of showing. And when youre leading people, your actions are
exponentially louder than your words.
It wentnot wellfor many months.
Becoming a first time manager is a rough transition for most of us. Hopefully I can save
you some pain by sharing some of the most common pitfalls.

Blind copying
When youre new to management, its tempting to try to emulate someone in senior
management at your company to try to act like a manager. One of the most painful
manifestations of this is when the hot new management book comes out. New
managers read it and come in and start applying the techniques. The techniques arent
bad, but people know when techniques are being applied on them and, not
surprisingly, they dont like it.

Resist the urge to blindly copy others in a way that doesnt feel like you.
Invest time and energy into finding a management style authentic to your
personalityyour team and your future as a leader are rooted in your ability to truly
be yourself as you help other people learn and grow.

Inevitably, something will go wrong during your first year as a manager. Your business
unit will take a nosedive, youll botch a group communication, or a customer will
complain, and the delta between your team vilifying you and your team rallying behind
you is entirely predicated on the degree to which they believe you are authentic and
real as a person. Be yourself.

Doing your teams job

Back in 2011, HubSpot decided it was time to invest more heavily in customer success. I
became a manager of nine people with an unlimited amount of work to do. We had
been in business for five years at this point and were just starting our customer success
function, and none of us had done it before. It was tempting to jump into the work
with my team and work alongside them.
I resisted.

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My team didnt need me to do their job, they needed me to do my job. My job on the
new customer success team was to evangelize the mission of customer success in the
company, work with management to get funding for customer success, and get
systems and automation built.
The job of a manager boils down to two things:
1. Help your team understand where they fit in your companys vision for the
future
2. Clear the pathway toward that future
Out of a desire to empathize with their team, new managers often get mired in doing
their teams work. The work of today is no longer your job. Your job is to think about
how to make tomorrows job easier, better, and more impactful. If the manager isnt
preparing for the future, who is?
Take a look at your calendar and be honest about how youre spending your time: if
youre finding yourself doing your employees jobs instead of helping them do theirs
more effectively, youre doing it wrongadjust accordingly.

Protecting your team from work

When youre new to take the reins on a team, your first reaction is to deflect additional
work and protect your team from the demands of the organization. It feels as though
doing so is the best way to minimize controversyand ensure that your team likes you.
I see a lot of new managers do this. And its dead wrong.
I think we do this as new managers because we care. Your team is busy, you see how
hard they are working. Your instinct is to make their lives easier, protect them from
overwork.

A managers job is not to protect their team from work, but to go out and seek the
most impactful work. Go into the market, go into your customer base. Find the
opportunities for growth that challenge the status quo. If you sit around and wait for
projects to come your way, youre a processor of work, not a leader of change.
When you should pull out your linebacker tendencies and start defending your team
from requests is when its low-value work that you do just because its always been
done that way. Always be looking to remove the least impactful work from your teams
plate and replace it with a new problem to solve.
A good manager creates work for their team, but its career-growing work.

You will make mistakes

One of the single greatest challenges of managing people is that there is no tried and
true technique you can apply to helping people grow. You will make mistakes, and
thats all rightI recovered and you will too :)
Dont waste time trying to fill someone elses shoes, focus on charting your own
course. Youll save yourself a lot of headaches, and give your employees the time,
space, and energy they need to thrive under your leadership. And when you do mess
up, theyll forgive you.

Why am I not getting promoted into a management job?

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by ALISON GREEN on APRIL 21, 2016

A reader writes:
Its been more than five years since Ive graduated from college, and Im currently
seeking two graduate degrees. My reasoning for going back to school was simply
because it was hard for me to find promotions where Id gain and exercise any
leadership skills. Ive managed two extracurricular clubs while in school. Ive held
prominent leadership roles in my church and other volunteer-based organizations. I
take part in various business networking teams, and I currently sit on the steering
committee of one. Ive also been awarded and recognized for my leadership skills in my
current role. I simply cannot understand why I havent been promoted into some sort of
managerial role.

I am very conscious about the way others perceive me and my work. Often times I put in
more hours than my counterparts, and Ive networked like crazy. The company I
currently work for grants me feedback and mentorship programs but still, no
opportunity for career advancement! What advice would you offer to someone in my
position? Is there something I am not doing well? Have I missed a step? Should I move
on?

Well, being a strong candidate for a management role isnt really about putting in more
hours and networking (or at least its not in well-run organizations). Its about showing
that youre good at the very specific things that managers need to be good at things
like being assertive without being a jerk, identifying problems and figuring out
solutions, handling mistakes well, looking at the big picture and not just at how
something affects you or your team, picking your battles, being inclusive, and helping
other people.

Now, if youre doing those things all of them, not just a few of them and have
been for a while, then the next question is: Have you told your manager that youre
interested in moving into a more managerial role? Have you applied for those roles
internally when theyve opened up? If you havent, thats the missing piece, and you
should definitely do that before concluding that you should move on.
But if youve done all that, then the next step is to talk to your manager and ask for her
advice. Explain what you want to work toward, and ask for her feedback. Does she
think youve shown potential to be a strong candidate for those roles? If not, what
would she want to see from you? Where should you be focusing your development
energies?

If shes generally positive about that part of the conversation, you can also ask if shed
be open to working with you on ways to give you more managerial-type experience
such as managing an intern, leading a team project, helping to interview job
candidates, or so forth. If shes not open to it, ask if she thinks its something that you
could work toward.

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From that conversation, you should get a better sense of whether your current
company can give you a path toward the type of job you want, and what that path
might look like. You might end realizing that they cant, in which case, yes, it could
make sense to think about moving on. But do all of the above first.

For what its worth, I would not count on grad school to function as a substitute for any
of this. Smart employers move people into management positions based on what
theyve demonstrated at work, not what theyve learned in school. That doesnt mean
that youve wasted your time in grad school Im sure youre getting plenty of other
things out of the work youre doing there but keep in mind as youre thinking about
how to approach all this.

How To Get Promoted After Less Than A Year On The Job

If you want a promotion after less than 12 months on the job, youll need to show its a
more obvious choice than it might seem.

BY ROBERT CHEN 4 MINUTE READ

Youre six months into your job and doing well at your company. You feel youve
already settled in, and youre ready for more responsibility. So you schedule some time
with your boss and ask, So, what can I do in order to get promoted?

Many of the managers I coach have told me this scenario is becoming more and more
common. In an era of ever-shortening job tenures, employees seem to be taking the
initiative on advancing their own careers more than they used to. Theyre less likely to
wait for someone to give them what they believe they deserve.

That may not always pay off. Instead of admiring your initiative, your manager may find
your request annoying, entitled, and lacking in the self-awareness it usually requires to
earn a promotion. In fact, after reading my article on asking for what you want one
senior executive wrote to me to vent his frustration on precisely this point. Heres how
he put it:
Theres a certain level of accountability thats missing in our society today. Before you
ask, I think you need to demonstrate a level of proficiency/impactI have had people
ask me for more when they havent finished their current job. One needs to be self-
aware and assess where he is before asking for more. I am put off when folks ask for
more too early.

He goes on to suggest that employees first ask themselves (before asking their
managers), What do I need to do before you say yes? In most cases, these are the
key criteria your supervisor will look for. If you can be certain youve met them, then
you stand a better-than-average shot at getting that promotion even if you havent yet
rounded the 12-month mark.

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1. MASTER YOUR CURRENT ROLE
Doing your job competently does not mean youve mastered it.
In Joe Azelbys book, Kiss Your BUT Goodbye, he highlights how what he terms PSA,
or Premature Self Adulation, limits ones career. The key point is that you want to
have a clear picture of your abilitiesspecifically, one that squares with your bosss
view of them.

You may believe youre doing a great job, but is that recognized by others and reflected
in the less-subjective measures of your performance? If youre in sales, for instance,
are you the top seller on your team? If youre in a service role, are your client-
satisfaction scores the highest possible?
Before you ask for a promotion or more responsibility, crush your current job by doing
every aspect of it consistently better than others. Satisfactory probably isnt good
enough.

2. KNOW YOUR WHAT AS WELL AS YOUR WHY

Crush your current job by doing every aspect of it consistently better than others.
To make for the most productive conversation with your boss, know not just what you
want but whyyou want it. Sometimes your boss may not be able to give you what you
ask for at the time that you ask for it, for reasons beyond her controloffice politics,
market conditions, what have you. But she may still be able to meet your requests in
other ways if you can articulate your why.

When you ask for a promotion, what is the real ask? Is it more engaging work, better
access to key clients, developing your skills, earning more money, etc.? None of these
is necessarily more valid than the others, but you need to be clear and honest about
your rationale. Once your boss knows why youre interested in a promotion at this
stage, theyll find ways to accommodate you as best they can if they truly value you.

3. MAKE IT EASY TO SAY YES

Be ready to have something to show for yourself that proves your worth. Have specific
evidence of your performance. Especially if youre worried your boss will feel youre
jumping the gun, you need to show progress that makes the length of your time on the
job less relevant than your growth within it.

You want to show that youre already doing what will be asked of you in the new role
and that that new role youre asking for will help your boss or company
achieve their strategic goals. You also need to demonstrate that others, including those
senior to you and your boss, will vouch for you.
When you show how your promotion helps your boss and remove many of the
risks, the decision becomes much easier to make.

4. PICK THE RIGHT TIME

If youre trying to get promoted within a year of starting your current role, youre
already bucking convention on timing. So pay careful attention to other factors that
can help make the context of your request seem more natural. Know whats happening
34
around youboth inside the company and out. How is your business doing? What
about the industry?

Depending on your field, your role, or your employer, there may not be any room for
you to move up right now. But if you can tell that there is, you need to capitalize on
that and explain it in terms that seem strategic not just for you but for your boss and
employer.

7 Steps To Getting Paid More And Promoted Faster

There are methods and techniques used by the highest-paid and most successful
people to get promoted faster and paid more for what they do. When you begin to use
them yourself, you put your entire life and career onto the fast track.

BY BRIAN TRACY 9 MINUTE READ

There are methods and techniques used by the highest-paid and most successful
people in our society to get paid more money for what they do and get promoted
faster to higher levels of authority and responsibility.
When you begin to use them yourself, you put your entire life and career onto the fast
track. You will make more progress in the next couple of years than the average person
makes in 10 or 20 years. Here are 7 ways to get started:

1. Find a High-Growth Industry

You can make more progress toward getting paid more and getting promoted faster in
a couple of years in a high-growth industry than you might in five or 10 years in a slow-
growth industry.

Once you have identified a high-growth industry, do your homework. Research and
find out what companies in that industry are growing the most rapidly. Remember, 20
percent of the companies in any industry make 80 percent of the profits. They have
better leadership, better products and services, better technology, and a better future.
These are the companies where you want to work.

2. Select the Right Boss

Choosing the right boss is one of the most important decisions that you ever make. It
can accelerate your career and enable you get paid more and promoted faster than
almost anything else you do.

You should look upon accepting a job as if you were entering into a marriage, with your
boss as your spouse. He or she is going to have an enormous impact on how much you
get paid, how much you enjoy your work, how rapidly you get promoted, and every
other part of your work life.

35
When you are looking for a job, you should interview your potential boss carefully to
make sure that he or she is the kind of person you would enjoy working with and for.
This should be someone whom you would respect and look up to, someone who is
friendly and supportive and on whom you can depend to help you move ahead as
rapidly as possible. Whenever possible, you should talk to other people who work for
that boss.

3. Develop a Positive Attitude

Fully 85 percent of your success in work, no matter how intelligent or skilled you are, is
going to be determined by your attitude and your personality. Your overall success,
how much you are paid, and how fast you are promoted will be largely determined by
how much people like you and want to help you.

Research shows that a positive, cheerful person is more likely to be paid more and
promoted faster. This kind of person is more readily noticed by superiors who can
accelerate his or her career. In addition, a positive person is supported by his or her
coworkers and staff. There seems to be an upward pressure from his or her peers that
drives a positive person forward at a faster rate.

The critical determinant of a positive attitude is how well you function under stress.
Anyone can be positive when things are going well. But it is when you face difficulties
and setbacks that you demonstrate to yourself and to everyone else what you are
really made of. Youve heard it said that When the going gets tough, the tough get
going. A person with a positive attitude looks for the good in every person and every
situation. He or she looks for something positive or humorous. The positive person
tends to be constructive rather than destructive. And the good news is that a positive
attitude is something that you can learn by practicing it, every single day, especially
when it is most needed.

4. Create a Positive Image

It is absolutely amazing how many people are held back, year after year, because no
one has ever taken them aside and told them how important their external appearance
is to getting paid what they are truly worth.
The first rule is that you should always dress for success in your job and in your
company. Look at the top people in your industry. Look at the top people in your
company. Look at the pictures in newspapers and magazines of the men and women
who are being promoted to positions of higher responsibility and pay. Pattern yourself
after the leaders, not the followers.

5. Start Earlier, Work Harder, and Stay Later

Develop a workaholic mentality. There is nothing that will bring you to the attention of
the important people in your work life faster than for you to get a reputation as a hard,
hard worker.

Everybody knows who the hard workers are in every business. The hardest workers are
always the most respected in any company of value. They are always paid more and
36
promoted faster for a very simple reason: They are more productive. They get more
work done in a shorter period of time. They are more valuable to the company. They
set a better example, and are the kind of people bosses are proud of and want to keep
more than anyone else.

The rule is that two extra hours of work each day are all you really need to invest to
become one of the most successful people of your generation. You can get these extra
two hours by coming in an hour earlier and staying an hour later. In most cases, this
will expand your day slightly but it will expand your career tremendously.

The top people in every field work more hours than the average people. In fact, the top
10 percent of money-earners in the United States work 50 to 60 hours per week. In
addition, remember that they work all the time they work. They do not waste time.
When they arrive at work early, they immediately start in on important tasks.
This must be your goal as well. Work all the time you work. Do not play on the
computer all day, make personal phone calls, read the newspaper, or chat about the
latest football game or television program. The average person today works at less
than 50 percent of capacity. Only about 5 percent of people in the world of work today
actually work the whole time. Everyone else is functioning somewhere below their
potential, in many cases far, far below.

6. Push to the Front

One of the most important ways to come out ahead is for you to continually ask for
more responsibility. Volunteer for every assignment. Go to your boss at least once
every week and ask him or her for more responsibility.

Most people in the world of work do only what is asked of them. But this is not for you.
Your job is to keep asking for more, and, whenever you are given a new responsibility,
to fulfill it quickly and well. Remember: You want to develop a reputation for being the
kind of person who is given the responsibility whenever someone wants to get
something done quickly.

Do you want a promotion? Getting one is very much under your control. The fact is
that you promote yourself every time you take on a new responsibility. You will
eventually rise to the level of the responsibility you are willing to accept. There are no
limits. And there are fewer things more important in helping you get paid what youre
really worth than for you to develop a reputation for speed and dependability. Be the
kind of person your boss can count on to get the job done fast. Whatever it takes, treat
every assignment you receive as if it were a test upon which your future career
depended.

A young man in a large company told me this story: One year he volunteered to head
up the United Way campaign in his company. All of the other managers had avoided
this responsibility because it was so time-consuming.

37
But the young man saw it as an opportunity to perform for senior people in the
company. He leaped at the responsibility, and did an outstanding job of getting
everyone in the company to contribute to making the campaign a success. In the
course of running the campaign, the young man was able to meet with almost every
senior manager in the company, getting a chance to talk to them and become known
by them.

As a result of the success of the campaign, the president of the company was given a
special award and was written up in the newspapers as one of the top executives in the
community. Within six months after the campaign ended, this young man had been
promoted twice. A year later, his former manager, who had avoided the United Way
responsibility, was working for my friend.

7. Ask for What You Want

This is one of the most important success principles you will ever learn to help put your
career onto the fast track: The future belongs to the askers. The future does not belong
to those people who sit back, wishing and hoping that their lives and their work will
become better. The future belongs to those people who step up and ask for what they
want. If they dont get it, they ask again and again until they do.

Ask your boss what you have to do to qualify for an increase. There is no point in your
working hard if you dont know exactly what it is that you have to do to get paid more
and promoted faster. Clarity is essential. Go to your boss and ask, and ask again if you
are still not clear.

If you want an increase, you must ask for it. And the way you ask is by building a case,
as a lawyer would build a case, for your getting the amount that you want to receive.
Instead of saying that you need more money, as most people do, you have a different
strategy. You put together a list of the jobs that you are now doing and the additional
experience and skills you have developed. Show the financial impact of your work on
the overall operations of the company and the contribution that you are making as a
top employee.

Present this information to your boss, in writing, and tell him or her that, based on all
of this, you would like an increase of a specific amount of money per month and per
year. In many cases, you will get the increase simply by asking for it in an intelligent
way. In some cases you will get less than you requested. If this happens, ask what you
will have to do to get the rest of the increase that you asked for.
If your request for an increase is turned down, ask exactly what you will have to do to
get the increase you requested at a later time and exactly when that increase will be
payable. Be specific. Be clear.
And dont be afraid to ask.

Is Your Employee Ready to Be a Manager?

38
You have an ambitious team member whos asking to be promoted to manager. Hes
great at his job, but is he really ready to lead? How do you judge his skills and
experience? Whats the best way to measure his potential?

What the Experts Say

As a manager, youre always on the lookout for the next generation of talent in your
organization. But trying to figure out whether a particular direct report is management
material is not always straightforward, says Anna Ranieri, executive coach and author
of the forthcoming Connecting the Dots: Telling the Story to Advance Your Career. It
requires different skills to manage than to be an individual contributor, she says. And
since you want your decision to promote to be the right one, you wonder, How do I
make a sure enough bet? The good news is that, people can develop their capacity
to lead, says Linda Hill, professor at Harvard Business School and the coauthor
of Being the Boss: The 3 Imperatives for Becoming a Great Leader. What youre
looking for is behavioral evidence that this person has the potential and talents to
manage. If youre successful in the evaluation stage, youll be in a better position to
anticipate the persons weaknesses so you can help onboard him into a management
role when the time comes. Here are some ways to go about it.

Gauge interest
A good starting point, according to Ranieri, is to determine whether your ambitious
direct report is, in fact, interested in, and, geared toward management, and not
just going through the motions, and thinking that shes been at the organization a
certain number of years so its time for a promotion. The best way to find out is to ask
her. Say, Do you want to be in management? Whats your view of what that means?
And what makes you think you would be good for that kind of role? Of course, notes
Hill, you must pay attention to what the person has done, not just what she says. Ask
yourself, Have I ever seen an instance where this candidate took on a leader-like role,
not just a star performer role? You should also try to figure out whether the person
has the right motivation to want to lead, which Hill defines as the desire to shape
the context and coach others.

Assess experience
Hill then recommends finding out what other management experiences the person
has had. After all, roles like captaining a college field hockey team or editing a school
literary magazine provide valuable leadership experience. She also suggests asking,
How do you spend your time outside of work? Perhaps this person volunteers and
recently ran a campaign for a nonprofit. That shows she likes to mobilize others and
lead. Having the experience is key, but youre also looking for evidence of growth,
says Ranieri. Its important to test the person on his people skills and self-knowledge,
she says. The goal is to identify, how he inspires others to work hard and give it their
best. Ask, What made you believe you were successful in that role?

Test organizational know-how

Once you have a sense of the aspiring managers interest level and past experience,
you need to get a handle on her understanding of the organizationits culture, its
39
needs, and where she thinks its going, says Ranieri. If you think her opinions are
inaccurate *or disagree with her assessment+, its appropriate to push back or at least
continue the conversation, she says. Maybe you will learn something. Raneiri
suggests asking the candidate to provide examples of current managers who are
successful andwithout naming namescite ways in which other executives could
improve. Your goal is to judge whether this candidate understands the role and find
out how she would run this particular team. Its also important to evaluate the
candidates contextual intelligence or CQ, says Hill. Can he see the big picture? Can he
connect the dots? Can he think systemically? CQ, according to Hill, is a critical
component of leadership given the complexity of management today. Without it, you
have trouble prioritizing and thinking about what your group should be working on, not
just what it could be working on.

Seek other opinions

Even if the ultimate hiring decision is yours, Ranieri suggests you discuss the
prospective managers potential with other colleagues and fellow team leaders. Your
inquiry neednt be stealth. Ranieri recommends asking the candidate for references by
saying something like, I would like to talk to other people whove seen you act in a
managerial way. This gives the individual time to seek out colleagues and remind them
of examples [that speak to] his management potential. Its imperative, says Hill, to
solicit feedback from a range of individuals in the business. She recommends paying
special attention to what the candidates close associates have to say. Maybe the
bosses are happy, but peers tell a different story, she says. Thats valuable
information.

Observe
Its also important to observe your ambitious report in action, says Ranieri. Notice
whether she is a person who comes to staff meetings and has ideas not only about
her tasks but also about other things going on in the organization. In other words:
does she have a vision for the company and is she someone who wants to have a
broader reach? Think about your impressions of this person. Is she curious? Is she a
learner? When she faced setbacks, did she exhibit resilience? Who does she go to for
assistance? Is she a loner or does she have a network? If you dont see evidence of the
traits youre looking for or you remain uncertain of her capabilities, Hill suggests
providing little experiences that will prepare her for a leadership role. You might, for
instance, ask your report to lead an upcoming project. Or suggest she spearhead a new
initiative. Encourage the person to take the opportunity to practice these skills, she
says.
Heed red flags
When evaluating management potential, there are certain negative characteristics to
be on the lookout for, according to Hill. Beware of those who are not open to feedback.
And think twice about candidates who very rarely take into account other peoples
points of view. Try to determine whether or not the person exhibits professional
courage. If he wont stretch himself, to me that shows he is not ambitious enough,
she says. Also look out for those who are not generous. A person who doesnt work
well with other people and who thinks hes smarter than, or better than, others, does
40
not make for a good manager. You want leaders who give credit freely, who
acknowledge the achievements of others, who dont punish people for their foibles,
and who are willing to help.

Have faith
The thing is, no one is going to score a perfect 10, says Hill. Dont lose sight of the
fact that youre measuring a persons potential and determining whether someone is
ready to be a boss isnt a perfect science. Ranieri points out that its also helpful to
remember your own experience. Think back to when you took on your first
managerial role or your first big project, she says. Maybe you werent sure you could
do it. But someone took a leap of faith on you. Even if you werent 100% successful the
first time, you eventually got there. Besides, if you do decide to promote this
ambitious colleague, she wont be jumping without a safety net. Its your job to help
other people develop.

Principles to Remember
Do
Ask the candidate what she thinks management entails and how she would
manage a team.
Try to evaluate a candidates people skills, including empathy and self-
knowledge.
Get a sense of the candidates grasp of the organization by asking her how she
views its culture, needs, and direction.

Dont
Overlook a candidates management experiences outside of work; leading an
athletic team or a squad of volunteers provides solid leadership practice.
Ignore red flags. If a person isnt curious or doesnt work well with others,
reconsider his candidacy.
Forget that someone earlier in your career showed faith in you. If you believe
the candidate has the potential and talent to lead, help her develop.

Case Study #1: Measure the candidates interest in management and solicit feedback
on his performance
Erick Tai, head of engineering and co-founder at Reflektive, the San Francisco-based
agile performance management software company, says he tries to gauge his
employees interest in management on their very first day on the job.
When people start on the team, I ask them, What are your personal goals? What
would you like to put on your resume here in the next two years? This makes their
goals, such as management, natural to talk about in one-on-one meetings.
When Rob, was hired as an engineer, he answered Ericks questions by saying he was
interested in management.

Over time, Erick watched Rob. He noticed that Rob was a pragmatic thinker and that
he put his teams needs above his own. During a one-on-one meeting, Erick broached

41
the subject again. I said, Rob, youre doing great. And I think you could be a great
manager. Is that something that youre still interested in?
Rob said he wanted to make the leap. To ensure that Rob was indeed ready, Erick says
he created opportunities for him to interact with team members from different
departments and to lead projects and guide younger engineers. He then paid close
attention to the results.

*I saw how Rob+ created processes that made his teammates more effective, says
Erick. He guided projects across multiple team members to completion, knowing that
there was a business goal we were trying to achieve. And he was very aware of why his
work, and the work of those around him, mattered to the company deadlines.
Erick also solicited feedback on Robs style from other colleagues. Oftentimes, we as
managers dont see the day-to-day interaction between our different team members,
he says. One coworker highlighted how great Rob is at communicating technical
situations in a non-technical way. Another told me how patient he was with their team.
Having the insight as to how Rob treated peoplenot just his manageris important.
Rob got the promotion and is doing very well in his new role. Today Rob is running
critical areas of our systemmentoring other engineers and nurturing their own
leadership qualities.

Case Study #2: Note red flags and observe how a candidate involves and inspires
colleagues
When Marcy Fetzera principal consultant at DecisionWise, the Springville, Utah-
based company that focuses on employee engagementassesses candidates for
leadership roles, she looks for evidence that they appreciate the importance of an
empathetic and participative culture.

For Marcy, one of the biggest red flags is an aspiring manager who doesnt effectively
make use of his colleagues. I have seen many individual contributors who are
superstars but dont have the ability to work through others and multiply others
potential, she says.
Recently, she evaluated a member of her team, Sean, for a potential supervisory
position. Sean had impressed Marcy with his personal drive and passion for his job,
and he told her that he was hypothetically interested in a leadership role should one
arise.

Not too long after that, a job that involved directing a large team opened up in Seans
division. To determine whether or not Sean was ready for it, Marcy gave him an
important assignment and then carefully observed how he handled it. The task
involved building a custom training program for the team he might one day manage.
Sean spent many hours beyond the requirements of his regular workweek to meet
and exceed the expectation of the assignment, according to Marcy. He was not shy
about asking colleagues for help and feedback. There was a great moment of honesty
where he said *to his team+, I could use some additional guidance and even a hand on
building this.

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Marcy says the finished product showed Sean and the teams collaborative effort
because it incorporated others suggestions and participation.
Seans initiative and engagement in the work, served as motivation to her and fellow
colleagues. That is what I want to see in leaders: someone who takes something,
makes it greater, and inspires others along the way.
Sean got the promotion.

Advice when you are promoted to manager of your previous co-workers

Do

Do get clear expectations for success

You have a new job description with new job responsibilities. What does your manager
expect from you? What are your new performance measures? What are his/her
priorities? Supervisors are responsible for getting the job done through the team. Find
out what the challenges your manager feels are priorities and work out a plan to make
changes or improve performance. Your job as a supervisor is to help your manager
meet his/her goals.

Do take it slow
As a former insider you know what is working and not working your team. The day
you walk in as the supervisor, you lose your insider status, and are now part of
management. Remember how difficult it was when management made changes
without input from the team or getting all the information? Take it slow when making
changes or suggesting improvements.

Do get the training you need

You may have been the top performer on your team, but supervising others is a
different story. Supervision takes a different skill set, like interpersonal communication,
delegation, planning, goal setting, and coaching and counseling staff. Youll need to
learn organizational skills, how to set priorities, and how to gain the cooperation and
respect of your team. Find a mentor, take some online classes and read books on
management and leadership by experts. Observe effective leaders in your organization
and learn from them. Ask for feedback and listen objectively to suggestions.

Do meet with your new team

Some new supervisors make the mistake of sitting in their new offices and hanging out
with their new peers instead of spending time with the team. You may have known
your co-workers before, but you need to get to know them in a different way, and they
need to get to know you. Become a collaborator instead issuing directives without
team input.

Do establish your credibility

As a supervisor, you are expected to know and administer company policies and
procedures. Read the company handbook, policies, standard operating procedures,
43
work instructions, and any other guidelines for your new position. Youll need to gain
credibility with your manager and the management team as well. Formerly friendly co-
workers may think they can bend the rules or discard them altogether with a former
team member in charge. Becoming an authentic role model is the best way to gain
loyalty and respect from your new team.

Don't

Do not try to be the boss

No one wants to be ordered around, especially by someone who was once part of the
team. Your former co-workers know your good qualities, but they also know your
shortcomings. You wont win the respect and cooperation of your team by sitting in
your office, sending emails, or barking orders. Taking charge can be a daunting and
uncomfortable task. Self-doubt, unease and lack of confidence can cause you to over
manage to the point of driving everyone crazy. Give yourself time to grow into your
new responsibilities.

Do not make quick changes

New supervisors think making changes early on are the way to establish control and
show they are in charge. A new manager is enough of an upheaval without changing
the the way work is done, work schedules, or expectations. Change of any kind makes
people anxious. Too many changes make people wonder if their jobs are subject to
change as well. Take the time to learn your job and how things look from your new
viewpoint. Involve the team in analyzing work processes and come up with changes
together.

Do not continue past relationships

So you used to go out with some of your coworkers after work to the local bar for
happy hour to drink the night away and complain about the boss and the crazy policies
everyone hated. Or you used to text or trade rants on Facebook with other co-workers.
Or had a thing with a co-worker. Check out the company handbook about
fraternization or dating direct reports. Continuing the Friday night happy hours with
your old circle wont work now that youre in charge. There are new rules about
confidentiality, discussing company business. The promotion comes with a raise and a
new title and new rules and obligations.

Do not be defensive
You are the new kid on the block, and it may take time for your new peers--the other
managers and members of the management team--to accept you as their peer.
Instead, they may want to give you advice, tell you what to do and correct you if youre
wrong. Instead of becoming defensive, admit that you have a lot to learn. Listen and
consider the advice. Ask questions. Let them know that you respect their input and
want to learn as much as possible. The easiest way to be successful is to learn from
successful people.

Do not forget those who helped you get the job

44
Put your ego aside. Sure, you have a great resume, experience, and a proven track
record. You worked hard for this new position and deserved to get the promotion. But
no one who is part of a team achieves success alone. Acknowledge their part in your
success and how that same teamwork will help you be successful as a supervisor. Your
job as a supervisor is to make each team member successful by giving them the
support, resources, and respect they need.

Summary

Switching roles from co-worker to supervisor is a challenge. You have to earn the
respect of your team by being a leader, role model, and coach. Let the team know from
the first day that you have a lot to learn in your new position. You will need their
support and honest feedback, and you will give them the same.

Why Some People Get Promoted (And Others Dont)

There are two steps to success: 1. Do great things. 2. Tell people.

By Janet Choi

Success is not a straight line. While patience and great work are essential, they dont
pave the way forward in a logical progression.

Consider how some people who are terrible at their jobs still have themeven get
promotionswhile others who are great get stuck, plateau, or quit because theyre
blocked from advancing. There are many other forces at play. Your achievements dont
line up all orderly and dutifully so you can collect your rewards.

Do Things, Tell People

Good work doesnt necessarily speak for itself. Somebody has to speak up for it, and it
makes the most sense for it to be you. Do things, tell people is one pithy formula to
success, according to programmer Carl Lange. Whats so often overlooked, of course, is
the tell people element.

Just as artists and authors hire managers and agents to get their work in front of the
right people, you must do this for yourself. According to Jeffrey Pfeffer, a professor at
Stanfords Graduate School of Business, visibility is the vital key to becoming the kind
of person who gets promotions, raises, and access to opportunities.
As he shares in his book, Power: Why Some People Have it and Others Dont, research
confirms that theres a real disconnect between your performance and your job
outcome. The effect of your accomplishments on those ubiquitous performance
evaluations and even on your job tenure and promotion prospects is much smaller
than youd expect. As annoying and unfair as it can be, perception often becomes
reality in the workplace.

45
Research confirms that theres a real disconnect between your performance and your
job outcome.
We miss out when we wrongly assume that other people will know about our great
work without having to tell them. Believing that pointing to your achievements is being
overly self-promotional and that good work should be enough on its own is, ironically,
selfish thinking. Youre almost always on your mindbut that goes for everyone else
too. Most everyone is busy with their own concerns, problems, and lives.
That means people, including your boss, usually have very little sense of what youre
accomplishing and what youre doing with your time. If you arent proactive about
reporting your accomplishments, youll never get recognized for your good work. Even
great managers who proactively care about your development can have a lot on their
plates, and its helpful to make relevant information visible for them.
If youre too busy keeping your head down, nose to the grindstone, its harder to see
you. Part of managing yourself and your trajectory means making it easier for people
and opportunities to find you. Getting coy or bashful about your accomplishments does
both yourself and your work a disserviceand may unintentionally make the job of
managing you harder.
Assume that people dont know what youre working on. Gain some sense of control of
how youre appearing on others radars, and to do so, you have to send out a signal.

The Other Half of Your Job

Even smart, talented individuals require corralling to work well together as a team.
Having to work with others on problems that are complex, time-constrained, and flat-
out hard can be enough to break down an individuals creativity and productivity.
Thats why every successful company where people are both productive and happy
feels a little magical.

Tom Sachs is a contemporary artist famous for his sculptures, which are elaborate DIY
recreations of modern engineering and design masterpieces. In his studio, if youve
merely just done your work, he says, youve only done half of your job:

[S]ent does not mean received is a profound thing. Half of your job in this studio is
doing your work, the other half of your job is communicating that its been done.
Because if you do it, and I dont hear about it, how do I know whats going on? Im not
trying to control everything, but in an intimate work environment, where were really
trying to develop something complex, a nod, saying, I got it, helps move things along.
What Sachs says about artists rings true for anyone involved in knowledge work.
Productive people often respond to the frustration of not getting enough done by
going into heads-down mode, but disregarding the fact that you work with other
people just exacerbates the problem.

Plus, focusing too hard on getting stuff done just produces more that needs to get
done, and thats a trap. Yes, productivity means you get stuff donebut moving that
work forward relies on communicating about what got done.

Send 1 Simple Email

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Getting ahead, however you define it, requires people to notice your work. The most
direct way to do that is to tell them and be a good advocate for your efforts. Nobody is
a mind-reader. The tricky part can be how to tell people so that you feel authentic to
who you are. For many people, the thought of being more proactive about sharing
accomplishments at work can be daunting and a real turnoff.

At his blog Barking Up the Wrong Tree, Eric Barker provides an elegant solution to this
problem that takes minimal effort and doesnt require you to turn into a loudmouth
braggart. His recommendation? Every week, send one simple email to your boss.
Take a few minutes on a Friday and jot down a simple description of what you
accomplished that week. Your boss will be able to see the progress youre making
and appreciate not being left in the dark wondering whether youre doing your job.
What makes Erics one email idea so powerful is that it turns what could come off as a
loaded act of self-promotion into an ordinary, informative update that perpetually
builds up your credibility with your boss. While others scrabble to ramp up their
lobbying for promotions during performance review-time, youll already be top-of-
mind, without having to gather and tout your accomplishments in the strained
atmosphere of a formal review.

Every Friday is just a suggestion. Feel weird about sending something every week? Do it
every two weeks or every month. Deliver something in your bosss language, at
whatever frequency and style she or he will understand.

Alternatively, start keeping a record for yourself. Its so easy to get swept away with
daily grind that you forget what you get done, and progress and achievements slip
away from your mind. Capture your accomplishments by keeping a running record.
Youll have information at your fingertips when it comes to review time or when youre
thinking about next steps. This light tracking also helps you keep what you get done at
the front of your mind, making it easier to figure out where you want to go and how to
get there.

Here are three more tactics to increase your visibility:

1. Dont end the week with nothing.
Entrepreneur Patrick McKenzies excellent advice is to work on more visible
projects. He writes:
Prefer to work on things you can show. Prefer to work where people can see you. Prefer
to work on things you can own. Why? Because when your work is in public, you can
show it to people. Thats often the best way to demonstrate that youre capable of
doing work like it.
To sum up: optimize for impact and visibility. The nature of knowledge work makes it
inherently difficult to see the fruits of your labor. Can you choose the more impactful
project? Can you work on some aspect that is customer-facing? Can you turn what you
learn about management, customer service, or selling, into a presentation or guide?

2. Ask for help and feedback.

47
People are often afraid to ask for help, for fear that it makes them look less competent.
Yet asking for help is part of getting better at your job and shows that you care enough
to be proactive about learning and fixing problems.
Managers and co-workers would much prefer you reach out for help and feedback
rather than be kept in the dark because youve placed yourself in a cone of insecurity.
Its much easier, even instinctive, to go find a corner to mope, brood, or hide in when
youre stuck but working out loud and asking for input is what increases the
likelihood that youll be able to climb outside the rut.
Many people the good ones, anyway enjoy helping others, and being asked can
be flattering to boot. Instead of committing the work sin of radio silence, reach out for
support and feedback, and then also ask how you can help others.
Asking for help is part of getting better at your job.

3. Work where people can see you.

Gaining visibility might require going outside your office. Maybe you have a side
project, or maybe your work culture isnt a healthy environment to pursue visibility.
Promoting yourself doesnt have to be on someone elses terms. Write a book, start a
blog, make a side-project, collaborate with new people outside of work, or speak at
panels and conferences. Tell people about what youve done, what youre doing, why
its important, and how you did it. Give talks, teach others, raise your hand for new
projects.

Whether youre an entrepreneur, an employee, a boss, or looking for work, when you
do things, tell people, you open doors because people know where to knock and
why. Those people may be customers, potential partners, or powerful leaders who can
act as sponsors and mentors. You hold the magic power to make the invisible visible to
help yourself and your work create more impact and opportunity.
[This essay was adapted from the e-book What You Dont Know About Management.
Download your copy here.]

How about you?

How do you communicate your successes?

12 signs you're about to be promoted at work

A feeling of euphoria is in the air. You suddenly have new sense of confidence at work
because you suspect that you're finally going to be recognized for your hard work. But
until you get the great news, you really can't be sure and you most certainly
shouldn't start celebrating.

"However, there are some telltale signs that you may at long last be getting that
coveted promotion you just need to look for them," says Lynn Taylor, a national
workplace expert and the author of "Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant: How to Manage
Childish Boss Behavior and Thrive in Your Job."

48
"But remember, false reads on promotions happen every day, so even if you think you
see the signs, you'll want to remain as neutral as possible and stay focused on doing
your best work."

Michael Kerr, an international business speaker and author of "The Humor Advantage,"
says the signs aren't always obvious, but people can usually tell if they are being
groomed, or at least considered, for a promotion.

"Being self-aware is a critical skill for anyone to develop and so you should, ideally,
always have a reasonably good sense as to how you are perceived by your colleagues
and senior leaders," he says. "And talking about your career goals and potential career
paths should be a conversation you have on a fairly regular basis with your boss."

Whether you're having those discussions or not, you'll still want to keep an eye out for
the signs a promotion might be in your future. Here are 12 of them:

You're suddenly invited to meetings that you were previously excluded from.
You're suddenly invited to meetings that you were previously excluded from.

This is a good sign, especially if you're invited to join meetings that involve senior
management, managers from other departments, or key clients. "This obviously
reflects a great deal of trust in your abilities," says Kerr.

Taylor agrees. "This is a great sign, especially if your advice is sought during these
meetings and you're asked to lead future ones."

You've been asked to take on a special assignment or project with added

responsibilities.

You've been asked to take on a special assignment or project with added

responsibilities.

"It shows that you've earned the trust of at least your immediate leader and it's a great
opportunity to grow and demonstrate new skills," says Kerr.

Your boss is being promoted.

Strelka Institute for Media, Architecture and Design/flickr
When your boss moves up, it's a prime opportunity for you to advance especially if
you've worked closely with your boss and they've groomed you for the spot, says
Taylor.

You're being asked to talk about your long-term career plans.

If your boss takes the time to have an in-depth conversation about your family life,
training goals, and long-term career plans, then this is a sign that senior leaders are
sussing out where you, and possibly your colleagues, stand in terms of career goals and
ambition, says Kerr.
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 Your boss or higher-ups start inviting you to lunch.
This isn't the case in every workplace, but often, prior to a promotion, you may notice
more invitations to lunch, says Taylor. "Good bosses view themselves as mentors and
enjoy sharing in your success. They may also want to show appreciation for your work
or want greater camaraderie through lunch or coffee breaks, as their level of trust
increases. All positive signs for a promotion."

You're offered training opportunities or asked to attend a special conference to help

build your skills.
When senior leaders invest money in your professional development, it's because they
see potential in you and may be grooming you as part of their succession plan, Kerr
explains.

Another good sign is if management starts tapping you to train other individuals or
groups, Taylor adds.

You're suddenly treated like royalty.

Do you practically feel like the red carpet is thrown before you as you enter your office
space?

"Maybe your boss and other managers are aware that you will soon be rewarded for
your contributions, so they begin treating you like gold, with newfound respect," says
Taylor.

You are asked for your input more frequently.

Strelka Institute for Media, Architecture and Design
Being asked for input is a sign that people respect your wisdom, judgment, and
experience, Kerr says.

Kudos are more prevalent, even in public.

"If you're seeing more emails with 'Good job!' and higher ups are being copied or
you're even praised in public more frequently your boss may be making a case to
clinch the deal for your promotion by creating a positive 'paper trail,'" says Taylor.

The company is rapidly expanding.

This may not, of course, mean that you'll be in line for a promotion, but it does mean
that there's the potential for new roles to open up and for people, including your
immediate boss, to be shifted somewhere else, Kerr explains.

"If your company is thriving and your department is actively hiring, this bodes well for
your advancement," adds Taylor. "But you'll need tenure at the firm, and solid recent
results to show for it, of course. Promotions are merit-based, not tenure-based."

Managers suddenly pay you more attention.

Managers suddenly pay you more attention.
50
Strelka Institute for Media, Architecture and Design/flickr
Do higher-ups seem to be paying more attention to your perspectives, ideas, and
communications in emails and proposals? Do they suddenly say "hi" and smile every
time they pass you in the hallway? Maybe it's because you're on their radar.

Your job description has already been upgraded functionally.

When you're already doing more senior work that is suited for a higher-level job
description, you're considered a good candidate for a promotion, Taylor says. "There's
little downside, as you have a proven track record. So the title (and hopefully salary
increase), become a formality."

9 Obvious Ways To Get Promoted

It would be safe to say you would have probably entertained the question of how
to get promoted even before you graduated or left school. In my chats with juniors
from my industry, I am often asked this question which I gladly answer. However, I
sense they simply want short cuts to the next level.

These experiences pushed me to pen these nine obvious but often not practiced tips
on how to get promoted. Start internalizing these tips and make them part of
your career management plan. Before you know it, you would have moved up to the
next level.

One main reason for people to ignore these obvious practices on how to get promoted
is because they seem very long term. But they are not at all. All you need to do is to
consistently DO them. I have broken them down to 3 main sections: Plan, Attitude, and
Action.

Section 1: Plan

1. Where are you and why are you there?

How to get promoted? First you will need to have a reference point. Ask yourself,
where are you now? And why are you there? Is there any key strength that has brought
you where you are now that you can continue to leverage for the next promotion?

Are there any weaknesses you really need to correct before the next promotion is
possible? These questions, while simple are strategic. It allows you to check your
strengths and weaknesses. It forces you to access what has worked and what will work
to get you promoted.

2. Where do you want to be and how do you get there?

You obviously need to have an objective and a plan. Just saying you want to get
promoted is not enough. You need to be clear on your next position. Is it a promotion
to a different department or a different branch? Write this down.

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Now that you have written this down, how do you plan to get that promotion? Develop
a plan for to achieve that objective. If you are lucky, you can even work this out with
your immediate boss. Most bosses do not promise that promotion at such discussions
but at the very least you get an idea of what are the expectations.

Section 2: Attitude

3. Put pride, passion, and belief in everything you do.

People who get promoted are those that have a sense of pride in their work. And they
take pride in their work. They are driven by genuine enthusiasm and desire to do their
best no matter how small the job.
They believe in themselves and they believe in the bigger goals of their unit or
department and company. How to get promoted? Ask yourself; do you conduct
yourself with pride, passion and belief?

4. Back it up with skills/knowledge, direction, and action.

Having pride, passion and belief is only part of how to get promoted. It must be backed
up by skills and knowledge. That means having the necessary skills and knowledge to
do a superb job. Having a direction is important to guide that energy generated by your
passion. Otherwise, effort is wasted. Without action which is the actual completion of
the task, all else is academic. You will be judged by what you do.

5. See challenges as opportunities.

Another obvious tip on how to get promoted is to see challenges as opportunities. Very
often I see young executives being thrown challenging assignments, which they choose
to see as an additional chore.
If you want to be promoted, look at challenges as opportunities to shine. Do not
complain about hard work, how hard you worked or if your assignment is tougher than
your colleagues. Trust me, no one wants to know how hard you work. In everyones
mind, their own work is the hardest.

Section 3: Action

6. Whats your part?

Know your part and play your part. What is your role? Are you an implementer? Or are
you a leader? Know exactly what you need to do in order for your unit to achieve its
goals. Knowing your part means being a team player. No one can succeed without help
from others. We all need the support of colleagues. When the team succeeds, you
succeed, too.

7. Do your best NOW.

I consider this as one of the most important tip on how to get promoted. Do your best
NOW. Today. This weeks tasks and projects. Do not bask in the glory of your previous
work. That is gone. In all likelihood, no one else cares about it especially your bosses.
Do not think too much about future projects that are not implemented yet. That is in
the future. It is not here yet. Focus on DOING your best NOW. It determines how you
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are being judged. When you reflect too much on the past and think too much about
the future, you forget to focus on the NOW.

8. Do more than necessary.

If you want to know how to get promoted, do more than the necessary. That
means volunteering for work and taking the initiative to make a job better. It also
means not sitting around waiting for work to come to you.
Bosses like people who can help them solve problems. Even if the problem is not yours,
but if you feel you can be of help and have the expertise to solve it, then volunteer to
help. You become the teams competitive advantage when you do that. And bosses like
people who give their unit an advantage over the others. Helping your team stay ahead
is then helping you stay ahead too.

9. Do work from the next level up.

If you continue doing work for your current position then you truly deserve your
current position. People who know how to get promoted know that if you want the
position next level up, you start doing some of those work from that level now. If you
are a senior executive now, do some work that is only expected of an assistant
manager (assuming that is the next level up). This allows you to demonstrate you are
capable of that position already.

Obviously, there are zillions of tips out there on how to get promoted. These are some
of those I deem to be obvious and not practiced enough by career success seeking
newbies. Putting these into practice would greatly increase your chances of a
promotion.

8 Reasons You Are Not Getting Ahead at Work (And What to Do About It)

Best Career Advice I Got about Getting Ahead at Work

You're working hard. You have enthusiasm and great work ethics. You've got all
the credentials to be qualified for the next position. But you're not getting the traction
at work to get ahead.

It's been weeks, months or even years since you've been "promised" a promotion. A
raise. A recognition of sorts. But nothing has happened yet. Right?

I Know How You Feel. My twelve year corporate career started out with a lot of wrong
moves and bad turns. Not to mention my frustration for not getting anywhere.
Until I got a mentor that gave me the best career advice. She taught me how to
position myself just right for advancement. And I share this advice because I want you
to steal it and use it to get ahead.

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Best Career Advice: First, you have to know your real worth to the company. Then
you have to show confidence in your own ability to deliver on that value, if not above
it.
Reminder: Did you know we have a step-by-step course here to teach you everything
you need for getting recognized, getting promoted and creating your dream career at
your job?

Do you know how much in dollars - or your country's currency - you are worth to your
company? $50,000 a year? $200,000 a year? Or more? This gives you the right baseline
to position yourself just right.
These crucial details to career advancement are lost on most employees. Hence they
stay stuck. Don't be one of them. Keep reading to learn how to position yourself just
right.

The Confidence to Pull It Off. Do You Have It?

Confidence talks. If you are not confident in your own power to deliver
for your company at the next level, it won't matter how long you have been there and
how hard you have worked, you simply won't get noticed - nor promoted.
The first person that needs to be completely convinced of being worthy
of promotion and a lot more money is yourself. Got it?

Oh and faking it won't work. You have to believe it first before your employer will.
If you are a hard-working smart loyal employee and yet you feel stuck in a position you
have already outgrown, I really feel your pain.
I spent a few years in stuck as a cubicle employee of a large technology company. I had
no idea how to get ahead, and working hard was the wrong answer.
There's so much career advice out there. Be careful what you believe and know what
you advice to ignore!

Counter-Intuitive Career Advice: Working harder is the longest path to career success
and promotions. It is not only an ineffective strategy, it actually worsens your odds
about getting recognized by your management.
I learned the truth about career advancement in the corporate system by the help of
mentors and coaches and career gurus. After that I stopped hating others for their
'undeserving' success because I learned how to create the same success for myself.
What I teach you can be a total game changer in your career. It helped me go
from underpaid and overworked, overlooked for promotions and raises all the way to
getting noticed, getting the attention of upper management, becoming the go-to
person for my boss, and most of all, getting promoted and doubling my salary!
Do you want to learn how to do that too? Because you can only work hard for long
without earning your rewards.

Top 8 Reasons You Are Not Getting Ahead at Work Now

When you understand how the corporate system really works, you will know exactly
what to do and more importantly what not to do.
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You start to thrive at your job.

You can begin to focus on what matters so you move up the corporate ladder and stop
getting passed over for promotion and raise year after year.
Here are the 8 most common and oddly enough, little-known, reasons that you are not
getting ahead and what you can do about it immediately:

Reason #1: You are not confident you can do the job at the next level.
Going back to that because it's the number one reason. It's a tough one to swallow, I
give you that. You may be tempted to dismiss this one but don't.
Are you really confident you can do the job at the next level and do it well?
Do you feel worthy of the responsibilities and the higher rewards that come with it?
And is this confidence and sense of self-worth showing through your actions and your
words at work?

Lesson and Action: Focus on one thing you can do differently to be more confident. It
can be your posture when you sit up and stand to present, your voice when you speak
at meetings, and the way you talk about your work. Pick one area and begin to show
your confidence - not arrogance, but confidence and assertiveness - about it.

Reason #2: You do not have a company owner mindset.

A company owner mindset is one of the key pillars of moving up the corporate ladder.
This alone can get you more than halfway there. How you think says a lot about the
company and it shows through your actions. Let me explain.
If you see yourself as just an employee, or as someone working for the company, then
your employer will see you that way. You do your work and expect to get paid. You
follow guidelines and want to get rewarded. But if you start to think like a company
owner, you become the company - a concept that we go into together in Crack the
Code to Get Promoted - then you act and talk entirely differently.
That's when your employer notices you almost immediately and puts opportunities out
there for you to succeed.

Lesson and Action: Observe the way you interact with your co-workers and your boss.
Do you express how you feel about the company? Do you engage in gossip? Do you
complain? Ask yourself if you would do all of that if you were one of the company
owners.

Reason #3: You think too small and have no strategic vision.
If you are only concerned with your own work, and your own projects, and if you do
not understand the company vision and mission and strategy, then you are boxing
yourself into a hole. If you are stuck in a corner doing a small project that nobody has
heard of, you will have a hard time getting noticed, much less getting ahead.
There is a ton of corporate projects flying around all the time, and your manager may
be too busy to assign you the right ones that give you opportunity and visibility so
take initiative here.

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Your career grows and expands when you really get your company's vision and values. I
talked about this in my interviews with company leaders (the nuggets of wisdom are
in this program) and they agree on one thing:

You have got to become a strategic thinker to get promoted and advance in
corporate america (or corporate anywhere).

Lesson and Action: Think bigger about your role at your company by looking at your
overall contributions and then asking yourself to connect the dots between what you
do and what matters most to your company.

Reason #4: You embarrass or surprise or correct your boss in public.

Even if your boss makes a factual error in a presentation, you never ever EVER correct
your boss in public. In public means more than you and him (or her) alone. When you
are in a private meeting, you can gently point out the error for his reference.
Otherwise, keep silent and always be your boss's number one supporter.
Also, never surprise your boss even with good news. Bosses do not like surprises, and
you could ruin your trust with him if you get clever here. And please, don't embarrass
your boss. Like, ever!

Lesson and Action: Look at your relationship with your boss and ask yourself if you fall
for any of these career suicide traps. If you have done anything in the past, don't
worry. Just focus on re-building trust with your boss going forward.

Reason #5: You get defensive when you get constructive feedback.
The natural reaction to constructive criticism is defense, defending your work and
yourself. And it's a certain career advancement killer. It doesn't matter if your boss
dismisses your entire presentation, remember to separate yourself from your work and
take criticism with a gratitude and with curiosity.
Never ever get defensive. Get curious to learn.

Lesson and Action: When was the last time you got some constructive feedback from
your boss and how did you react? What would you do differently with the next
feedback? In fact, as a bonus, go ahead and request his feedback on a recent project
and listen to learn.

Reason #6: You do not have a solid strong relationship with your boss.
Your boss is your primary gatekeeper to you getting noticed and getting ahead.
Everything lives and dies with him. If you don't like your boss, you need to start liking
him fast or else get yourself a new boss. This is as simple as it gets when it comes to
bosses and employees.

Sometimes we get an angel for a boss, sometimes a complete jerk, but they are still
your bosses. If you don't have a great relationship with your boss, it's a career stopper
like nothing else.

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Lesson and Action: What is your relationship with your boss? Is it a good one? Is it non-
existent? How do you get along with your primary gatekeeper? And what can you do
differently tomorrow to make it better and stronger?

Reason #7: You expect your work to speak for itself. It doesn't! You do!
If you think your work speaks for itself, I hate to tell you the truth. You, my dear, speak
for your work and your skills and talents and if you don't, nobody will. You need to not
only speak for what you have done but also how much value it is bringing to the
company.

Connecting the dots between your work and the company's strategy is a skill you need
to learn fast or else you become irrelevant in your management's eyes.
Lesson and Action: Schedule a one-on-one conversation with your boss to talk about
your recent accomplishments and describe to him how they impact the team,
the organization and the company. Use your best guess estimate, and deliver the
message with confidence. If you are having trouble with this dialogue, learn the step-
by-step ways to do it.

Reason #8: You complain, gossip or have a bad attitude. Even if on occasion.
The number one career suicide mistake is an attitude of complaining, gossips and a
sense of entitlement. If you do any of these even on occasion, you are sabotaging all
your hard work. Don't kid around with your career here. Cut this out immediately and
start doing damage control today.

Lesson and Action: Put yourself on a no-complaint no-gossip contract for a week, then
extent it to 2 weeks and then go a month. Don't make any exceptions to this. Not only
will your career improve, your life will take on a new meaning too.
So there you have it. There is a lot more depth we could get into on this topic but
consider this your quick guide to mastering your career.
See, the corporate system is set up in a smart and logical way and the more you
understand how the system works, the less frustrated you get, and the more
effectively you can align your actions to results.

Imagine getting that deserved promotion. You can. It's up to you.

Just promoted to manager? How to deal with your 6 biggest challenges

You finally got that promotion and joined the ranks of first-time managers.
Congratulations!

This is a turning point in your career that will open new possibilities and help you grow
in ways you never expected. Its also going to add more complexity and challenge to
your work life.

Becoming a good manager is a learning process that takes time, collaboration, and
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A new study from Robert Half Management Resources asked 2,200 CFOs what they felt
was the most difficult part of becoming a new manager. Their number one response,
with 32 percent, was balancing individual job responsibilities with the time spent
managing others. The number two response, with 19 percent, was supervising friends
and former peers.
As any long-time manager can tell you, those are just a few examples of how youll be
tested, and your adjustment period will have its ups and downs.
Becoming a manager for the first time is not always an easy transition, said Tim Hird,
executive director of Robert Half Management Resources. More than simply adjusting
to a new role, moving into a supervisor position requires adapting to others' work
styles and needs.

These are six major challenges first-time managers face; here is how to approach them:

1. Managing others while still actually working

Its true: Figuring out how to juggle your own projects while making time for your staff
members needs is difficult. Managers need to know how to distinguish between times
they can devote their attention to employee concerns and times when they can close
their door and whether this works for their team.
Put your calendar to work here: Schedule regular check-ins with employees, and block
off times for you to focus on your own work. Unexpected and urgent situations will
always arise, so youll need to add in some flexibility, of course.
Dont feel bad during those times you must attend to your own work. You dont want
to micromanage; instead, recognize that empowering employees is key for new
managers.

Resist the urge to spread yourself thin trying to meet every demand that comes your
way. Delegating projects to your team frees up more of your time and demonstrates
your confidence in your staff, which helps them grow.

2. Managing friends and former peers

When you join the ranks of new managers, define the boundaries of your relationships
with your subordinates quickly. Dont wait to see how things develop before drawing a
line by then it will be too late.
Explain what you expect from your staff and what they can expect from you. For your
part, they will expect your trust, communication, and fairness, no matter how your
relationship was defined before you became their manager.
Take the time to learn about all of your employees, but always keep your evaluations
based on results and facts, not on whether you get along with the person. Whenever
possible, tailor your management style to individual employees and change tactics if
something isn't working.

3. Trying to make changes too quickly

First-time managers are often very excited to start making their marks on the
company, but if you force too many changes too quickly, your staff may push back. You
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might want to permanently erase Thats how weve always done it from your teams
vocabulary, but making unilateral decisions on how things get done from this point
forward can backfire on you.

Take a collaborative approach on making changes and youll be much more likely to get
the support of your staff. On the other hand, you need to approach them with a vision,
not empty-handed. Let them know of changes youre contemplating but want their
input on. Then open up the discussion for alternative suggestions.

4. Giving direct feedback

New managers sometimes have a hard time delivering critical feedback or having
difficult conversations. But the more direct and timely these conversations are, the
better theyll go.

If you avoid telling a problem employee directly how they need to shape up, you can
end up driving away others on your staff including your top performers by letting
the problem grow. Dont sugar-coat a conversation when its a difficult one: Be
straightforward and clear about the changes you need to see.
Dont forget to give positive feedback regularly as well recognition is something
every employee appreciates. Hint: If your staffers look defeated when they see you
coming down the hall, its a sign that youre focusing on the negative much more than
the positive.

5. Finding a role model

Becoming a manager can feel lonely, but new managers dont have to go it alone. Your
own boss was once a new manager be sure to have regular check-ins about how
your transition is going.

Finding a mentor can also give new insight. If there is no formal mentoring program in
your company, see if you can talk to a star peer whose management style you admire.
Learn what support and training resources are available to you within your company,
and seek out online management resources as well.

6. Being too hard on yourself

Dealing with all of the above items as well as owning budget responsibility and
performance reviews for the first time is not easy. Remember to be kind to yourself
while youre joining the ranks of first-time managers. Your staff will rally around you if
they see you putting in earnest effort and working with them to improve the
organization.

Becoming a good manager is a learning process that takes time, collaboration, and
confidence. Youve got this.

Why You're Not Getting Promoted: 4 Career Growth Mistakes

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Of the thousands of professionals Ive worked with and heard from in the past 11
years, a good percentage want help to ascend the corporate ladder to be promoted,
recognized and rewarded for the good work theyve done and the contributions
theyve made. Many also want significantly more compensation, responsibility and
leadership authority as well.

As they share about their career trajectory and the steps theyre taking to get noticed
and promoted, Ive seen four key blunders and blind spots that are in the way of their
advancement.

The four top blunders:

They ask for a promotion without having done anything significant to warrant moving
up.

So many professionals believe they're ready for more, but haven't demonstrated it.
They havent done the specific work required to grow their potential, to become more
of a leader, or apply their unique skills, vision, and talents in new ways that move the
needle for their organization. Yes, theyve done their job well, but they havent actually
risen above it. Performing our current role beautifully doesnt necessarily mean were
ready for more. So, their request and desire to be promoted is, in fact, premature.

They havent built a sufficient support network of mentors, sponsors, and ambassadors
around them.

Critical to our success is the help of others. We cant achieve our big dreams without
support. Its not a solo endeavor to be recognized as a stand-out performer, and to be
supported to move to the next level. We need the help of our colleagues, peers,
managers and senior leadership to make this promotion happen. And we wont ascend
if were alone and in a vacuum, or if weve made bitter enemies and burned bridges
throughout the organization.

They dont understand the ecosystem in which theyre operating.

People who are thwarted in their attempts to climb the ladder often make the mistake
of evaluating their work independently, without understanding how the organization
truly works, and the system around them assesses and evaluates value, importance,
and contribution.

Ask yourself these questions:

1. Do you know what your organization deems as superior contribution exactly what
attributes and behaviors are required to move ahead from your level to the next?

2. Are you supporting your employers highest visions, mission and goals? Do you even
know what those are, specifically?
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3. Have you achieved more than the goals of your role, and made a real difference in a
bigger way? If so, how?

4. Have you demonstrated that you can lead and effectively manage areas beyond
what youre handling now?

5. Do you understand what your boss and senior leadership view as critical to the
success and growth of the organization, and are you supporting those mandates in
important ways?

6. Finally, have you done a 360 assessment to understand exactly what others around
the company think of your performance and contribution, and how they feel about
working and collaborating with you?

(I once made the big mistake of not understanding just how I'd burned some key
bridges, and that blind spot contributed to my being laid off after 9/11, even after
some stellar contributions.)

They havent been interviewing and networking outside the company.

The worst mistake you can make is to stay at a job for 5-10 years, without ever having
interviewed, networked or connected meaningfully with people outside of your
organization. I see this error every week with folks I work with, and their career is hurt
by staying so insulated and disconnected from their field, industry and other colleagues
outside their employer. What often happens is when a layoff or firing comes, these
folks feel completely isolated and alone, and dont know where to begin to reach out,
build a LinkedIn profile, network, interview, or achieve a new role that theyll find
satisfying.

Nothing makes you more powerful and confident than interviewing outside your
employer and understanding where you stand in the marketplace. Every single
professional should be interviewing regularly (every 4 to 6 months) outside of their
organization, no matter how happy or unhappy they are in their jobs. But dont just
kick the tires do the internal and external work required to find interesting leads
that youll enjoy pursuing and benefit from learning about.

Regular interviewing outside your company also helps you understand the changes in
your industry, identify potential new opportunities that would be thrilling for you,
meet new people who can later support you in a transition, and gain a clearer sense of
your essential value in your marketplace. We need to be connecting, networking,
socializing and bringing ourselves to market in very proactive ways , all throughout the
long arch of our careers.

Recently I was asked by a top media channel to share my top three tips for women
aged 30-40 who are seeking to get promoted.
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These are my top suggestions for both women and men:

Dont wait for more leadership to come to you.

Go out and grab it. Identify three core areas that youre deeply passionate about in
terms of outcomes that your organization is working toward (or that outside
organizations are involved in), and volunteer to offer your support lead a project,
chair a committee, oversee a new direction or cause. Go out and claim what you want.
You will then gain more exposure, and become more visible, capable, confident and
more ready to take your career to the next level because you achieved a higher level of
contribution.

Make your case, with the 20 facts of you.

If you want to be promoted, it wont just fall in your lap. You have to make a solid,
well-validated and well-formulated, irrefutable case for why you should be promoted
to the next level. This weekend, sit quietly with yourself (distraction-free turn off all
devices) and write down the 20 powerful facts of you - what youve achieved,
accomplished, made possible, and cleared the way for, that has made a big difference
in your work and your company.

Make sure you punctuate the information with as many metrics as you can the
number of new clients youve brought in and the dollar value of those clients, the
percent of revenue you helped generate, the fading businesses youve revitalized, the
impact you've made on your industry as a whole, the streamlining of processes you
made happen that saved money, the new protocol that you established that changed
how your department operates, etc. Understand very clearly what youve
accomplished and the skills and talents you leveraged, and make your powerful case,
with facts, data and metrics.

Find influential sponsors who'll help you when you're not in the room.

Research shows that men are more naturally inclined to find sponsors (high-level,
influential supporters) to catalyze their advancement. While women understand more
than ever that mentorship is critical, whats still missing is sponsorship high-level,
powerful leaders who will champion you when youre not in the room. Focus now on
building relationships with a few powerful sponsors to whom youve already
demonstrated your potential, and who will be thrilled to speak for you, open doors and
make the introductions you need to ascend to the next level.

Another question Ive been asked regularly is this:

If I get passed over for a promotion once, how long should I wait until I try again? And
when should I give up and start looking for work elsewhere?

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The answer to that completely depends on how well you are poised for advancement.
If youve done the work recommended above, you should be ready for advancement
by:

Demonstrating your potential to lead, to more than just your boss or peers

Developing powerful sponsors who will vouch for your leadership capability and
strength

Building support throughout the organization for your growth

Achieving important milestones and advancements and moved critical needles in

the company or your division that prove to the organization that it will benefit from
your advancement

If youve done that, and made a case for your promotion in strong, confident and clear
ways, and you dont get it, you should ask for clear reasons why. If there arent any, or
they dont make sense to you, or your manager isnt willing to create a development
plan with you that you support, then its time to actively seek new employment. If your
boss cant give you a clear pathway for understanding how you can advance to the next
level, its a sign that youre ready to pursue growth and opportunity elsewhere.

7 Reasons You Aren't Getting Promoted

Getting the news that youve been passed over for promotion can be disheartening.

And the follow-up discussion with your bossthe one that should help you understand
why youve been passed overmore often than not just leaves you with a bruised ego
and no idea what to do next.

The fact is, your boss is probably just as uncomfortable delivering bad news as you are
with receiving it. (Ive found that most supervisors actually expend a lot of energy
actively dreading these exchanges.) Is it really any mystery, then, why we walk away
from being passed up with no clue why the decision didnt go the other way?
To get some insight, I interviewed 20 of my favorite executives to find out why so many
up-and-comers were finding themselves part-way-and-stuck. Straight from their
(anonymous) mouths, heres what bosses are trying to tell us in those less-than-fun
meetings.

1. You Lack the Skills Necessary to do the Job

Julie is very efficient and effective in the completion of her daily tasks. The position she
was hoping to get, however, requires strong analytical skills she doesnt have.
One of the most common misconceptions employees have about promotion decisions
is that theyre based solely on performance in their current role. While thats certainly
a consideration, success in one area doesnt always translate to success in another. For
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instance, someone who excels at data entry may need additional education or training
to become a data analyst, a job that requires strategic thinking and problem solving
abilities.

The secret to getting ahead? Become familiar with the requirements of the job you
want, and determine what skills you need to improve upon if youre going to succeed
in it. Then, talk to your boss. Let her know youre interested in moving up, and ask for
her advice on how to get there.

2. You Lack the Soft Skills Necessary to do the Job

Pam is extremely accomplished, technically. Before we can promote her, though, wed
like for her to spend some time developing her leadership and teamwork skills.
Heres something else The Powers That Be (TPTB) dont tell you up front: These skills
arent always technical. Particularly if youre moving up to management , youll need to
have mastered some soft skillslike conflict negotiation, diplomacy, and business
communicationand coming up short might very well be a deal breaker.
Develop the soft skills youll need to succeed in the job you want, then highlight them
through your involvement in programs that are important (and visible) to TBTP.
Perhaps you can become an informal mentor to a newer employee, or volunteer to
lead a presentation or training. Whichever method you choose, youll be signaling to
your boss that youre ready for management.

3. You Dont Take Feedback

Ive really tried to develop Mary, to get her ready for a promotion. But she gets very
defensive when I give her constructive feedback. I feel like she spends more time trying
to prove me wrong than she does trying to improve.

I doubt there is a woman among us that hasnt struggled to keep her composure when
receiving constructive criticism . But rememberfeedback is not always a bad thing.
Is it possible that your boss has some valid points? Shes telling you how to improve
your performanceand this is good information to have when youre gunning for a
promotion.

When you receive feedback, whether in your review or in the hallway, resist the urge
to defend yourself. Try to take it in and see what you can learn from it, instead.

4. You Lack Professionalism

What frustrates me more than anything else is employees who are consistently
negative about the company. What they dont understand is, the things they saythey
get back to us. Why would we promote anyone who behaves like that?

Its not unreasonable to expect that, as you move up the career ladder, youll begin to
conduct yourself more professionallyand not just when the boss is looking. This came
up several times in different contextsfrom an inability to maintain confidentiality to
participation in office gossipand was identified by executives as the most difficult
challenge for employees to overcome.
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This may seem obvious, but how you behave in the company of co-workers is just as
important, if not more so, as how you behave around management. For example, you
can and should identify problems within your department and company, but you
should not pontificate about those problems in the break roomwhich gives the
impression that youre looking for an audience, instead of a solution.

5. You Dont Take Initiative

Jennifer is quick to recognize areas that could use improvement, but we cant get her
to go beyond lodging the complaint. Wed really like to see her take the initiative to
come up with solutions, not just expect everything to be fixed by management.
Becoming a problem solver shows that you carenot only about your own career, but
about the long-term health of the business as well. Dont just document the problems
you see, analyze the issues and find ways to get involved in developing the solutions.
Collaborating with others to create positive change will identify you as a leader in your
organization. Remember, anyone can drop a complaint into the suggestion box.

6. You Think Like an EmployeeNot a Manager

Craig is good at his job, but it seems like hes more committed to getting on the
freeway by 10 til than he is to the success of his department.
Remember, TPTB are anointing future leaders here. If youre giving them the
impression youre only showing up for a paycheck, its not likely that youll be high on
their list of candidates. No, you dont have to become a workaholic or start hanging out
long past five or six just to be seen, but its a good idea to express interest in the
things that happen when the meter isnt running.

7. You Expect It
Sean has made it clear that he expects to be promoted. The problem is, I feel like he
expects to be promoted based on only his length of service. There are others on his
team that are more focused on their career development, and even though theyve not
been here as long, its likely that they will be promoted before him.
Lastly, recognize that in todays environment, tenure is no longer the primary factor in
promotion decisions, and is best left out of any arguments you might make on your
own behalf. These days, it doesnt matter whether youve been there six months or six
yearsits all about your contribution.

Being passed over for a promotion doesnt need to be the end of the world. In fact, it
can be a huge learning opportunityand sometimes, it can also be just the kick in the
pants you need to get you started down the right path. So take these lessons, learn
from the past, and keep that promotion in your sights.

12 Ways You Can Get Yourself on the Promotion Track This Year, According to 12
Bosses

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Youve been in the same role for years, waiting to earn that promotion youve always
wanted. And not just for a better title and a bigger paycheck, but for the feeling of
knowing your work is valued and your company admires what you bring to the table.
However, youre not going to earn a promotion by simply sitting and waitingyoull
earn it by going above and beyond in your everyday tasks.
Thats why we asked 12 successful entrepreneurs from YEC to share the one trait
employees should have to guarantee them a promotion later on down the road.

1. You Step Outside Your Department

People can often get stuck in their niche, team, or role. When I see someone step
outside of his department and apply skills to support other teamsnot to mention go
out of his way to learn what others day-to-day work and challenges areit tells me
that hes willing to own his responsibilities while giving to others. He sees the bigger
mission of the company.
Shane Snow, Contently

2. You Devise Simpler Solutions

If one of my employees can devise a solution thats simpler than what we already use, I
immediately take notice. When an employee thinks outside the box to such an extent
that she individually modifies a companys processes, shes worthy of a promotion in
my eyes.
Russell Kommer, eSoftware Associates Inc

3. You Take Ownership

When you stop thinking in terms of your job description and start thinking in terms of
helping the company, thats when youll truly shine. Especially with startups, managers
dont always have the time and resources to tell you what to do next. By thinking like
an entrepreneur, youll always stay ahead of the curve, and itll make everyones lives
easier.
Elle Kaplan, LexION Capital

4. You Always Go One Step Further

Go one step further by performing tasks your manager never asked for. Im most
impressed by employees who take the initiative to research, learn, and propose new
ideas or solutions to existing challenges. Since theyre the ones performing specific
tasks, theyre most suited to suggest changes in processes or workflows.
Marcela De Vivo, Brilliance

5. You Set Goals and Hit Them

Too often, people communicate goals and dont hit them. Even in a relatively informal
setting, if you vocalize that youll get something done by a certain date, execute on it
and let people know about it (without bragging). This is a simple way to build a track
record of dependability, and it makes you stand out from the majority.
Douglas Hutchings, Picasolar

6. Youre Curious
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Having a positive attitude and being able to ask why are two attributes that all high-
potential employees should have. Curiosity indicates a vested interest in the underlying
why that drives what were doing, while a positive attitude makes you a pleasant
person to be around.
Brian David Crane, Caller Smart Inc.

7. You Search for Opportunities to Generate Revenue

Employees who advance the fastest are the ones who find new ways to upsell, cross-
sell, or straight out sell. That goes for employees who arent even in sales. It tells your
employer that youre looking out for the company and the companys future. And, its
easy for an employer to give you a raise if youve justified it with revenue.
Dan Golden, Be Found Online

8. You Create Value

Take initiatives beyond your job description and create interdepartmental or cross-
disciplinary collaborative teams to create value for the company. Showing interest in
creating new products, features, or improvements will surely be noticed by your
employer. Send emails and meeting invites to other departments, engage in
conversations, and make white papers to showcase your ideas for improving the
product.
Nemoy Rau, US Biometrix

9. Youre Punctual
If youre on time to work and stay until the end of the day every day, I take notice. It
shows that you care about the company and are putting in the effort. With such a great
work ethic, you increase the likelihood of earning a promotion.
Leila Lewis, Be Inspired PR

10. You Excel in Multiple Roles

Any good employee can excel in their role; however, only great employees will excel in
multiple roles. When I see an employee step out of his comfort zone and succeed in a
project or role that isnt part of his duties, Ill definitely consider him for a promotion
when its time for his review.
Anthony Pezzotti, Knowzo.com

11. You Show a Serious Interest in Long-Term Growth

I know its not likely Ill find an employee who cares about my company as much as I
do, but I always take notice when someone works toward the long-term health of the
company. Some people dont go above and beyond in their jobs, or for others, its just
something they do for the paycheck. If you care about the company as a whole, then
youre worth keeping around, and promotions are a good incentive.
Adam Steele, Loganix

12. You Generate Ideas

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By sharing ideas that save or make money for the company, you illustrate that you
deserve more responsibility and a higher income. Your ability and willingness to
develop solutions that grow the company mean youre very valuable.
Abhilash Patel, Recovery Brands

6 Ways To Immediately Get Noticed At Work Without Self-Promotion

As the government shutdown enters another week, our political leaders are getting
noticed for all the wrong reasons. They are taking stands that seem more about self-
promotion and their own political careers, instead of doing what it takes for the
betterment of a healthier whole the nation and the American people.
If you managed your career this way, you wouldnt get far either. Advancing your
career in todays new workplace means embracing an approach that is less about you
and more about others. This may seem too idealistic at a time when most people are
operating in survival mode and doing just the opposite thinking less about others and
more about themselves. Employees want to get noticed and take control of their
careers. In a workplace that requires you to do much more with fewer resources,
employees are having trouble earning the respect they seek and deserve. They are
growing tired of corporate lip service and want their supervisors to start recognizing
the merit of their work and overall contributions.

Getting noticed at work has been a topic that has been debated for years. Many
believe that self-promotion gives you a leg-up while others are convinced that getting
discovered is a more organic process. Self-promotion may allow you to get a seat at
the table faster, but the odds of sustainable career advancement are much lower today
than in the past. Why? People that have to sell themselves too aggressively are often
times unprepared when the opportunity presents itself. They are impatient and seek
to cut corners. They lack the real confidence it requires to consistently be significant;
therefore they spend too much time putting on a facade. Besides, its difficult to trust
the intentions of those employees that are focused more on themselves than others.
This is one of many reasons why so many senior executives find it difficult to sponsor
employees.

Getting noticed requires leadership with wide-angle vision to connect the dots and
create maximum workplace impact. It requires teamwork in the new workplace that
unites, empowers and inspires others for the betterment of a healthier whole. Its
about having each others backs and everyones best interests at heart.
Employees need to have better balance between the head and the heart. Its not just
about your ability to be a potent pioneer and/or disruptor to get noticed. You must be
more mindful of how to use these unique qualities to lift and lead those around you so
they can better themselves and find ways to enable their full potential. Stop trying to
be the only star of the show and show others how they too can be the main
attraction.

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The great difference between the recognized man and the respected man is the
difference of the head and heart. The recognized man appeals to the head where things
are easily forgotten. The respected man captivates the heart. And the heart does not
forget.

Collaborative leadership is in demand. You can never be successful alone. Someone

else or a group of people had to support you and help enable the opportunities you
were trying to create.

Success comes most to those who are surrounded by people who want their success to
continue.

As you reflect upon your career goals and how to be a more effective leader, here are
six ways to immediately get noticed at work without self-promotion.

1. Be a Silent Influencer
The workplace is divided into two primary groups: the loud
disorganized/disenfranchised and the silent influencers. Notice how the silent
influencers are the ones that people are most curious about. They are the ones that
are invited to be a part of the most important projects and rarely participate in group
activities where the loud disorganized people are involved.
The silent influencer has nothing in common with the recognition addict. They are the
ones that possess quiet confidence yet speak up often enough to make their voices
heard and have tremendous impact while doing it. The silent influencer has the
executive presence that most employees long for. They are quick to see and seize
opportunity, yet dont flaunt their success as they move onto the next one.
Being a silent influencer is a great way to get noticed. You keep people wondering
what youre up to and curious about getting into your circle. When you are a silent
influencer, you dont allow the noise to disrupt your momentum.

2. Do More Than Your Job Description

Always look around, beyond and beneath the opportunities that you seek. Those that
get noticed at work are those who approach each day with wide-angle vision. They see
through a lens that extends well beyond their job description. Employees that know
how to get noticed quickly have mastered the ability to maximize the value of their
workplace dot and are continuously looking for ways to expand their sphere of
influence throughout the organization.

The most effective way to expand your sphere of influence is by becoming proficient
at helping others do their job. This will require you to know their job description and
core responsibilities.

Expanding your influence is about not only doing your job, but helping everyone else
do theirs.

3. Help Your Colleagues Succeed

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One of the most powerful and rarely discussed success factors to employ in your career
is the ability to share the momentum that you are building with others. Helping your
colleagues succeed is a sign of self-confidence, self-trust, teamwork and collaborative
leadership.

My career success has been a direct result of helping others become successful. Ive
learned throughout my career that the more opportunities you create for others, the
more the door will open for you. This is why networking and knowing how to align
yourself with the right people is so critically important throughout your career.
When the organization you serve witnesses your genuine desire to help your
colleagues succeed, you will immediately get noticed. I am not referring to only
mentoring someone but having a strong working relationship with colleagues where
you are constantly guiding them and providing them the hands-on wisdom to help
them see their successes all the way through to the end. You can further accelerate
your ability to get noticed when the person or people you are helping are not within
your department and/or functional area.

Its also important to note that while your intentions to help others succeed is genuine
and true equally be passionate about learning from those whom you are helping.
People want to know that your intentions are to build mutually rewarding
relationships where everyone wins.

4. Dont Get Caught Up In the Political

Being in the know is more about staying focused on your ability to generate results
while creating impact and influence in your work rather than getting caught-up in the
political weeds at work. Stay away from the politics and keep yourself and your
colleagues focused on growth, innovation and opportunity. Too many employees that
want to get noticed believe that getting involved in corporate politics will give them a
leg-up. It doesnt hurt to be aware of the political weeds and those who seem to be
the ones that are harvesting trouble so that you dont get trapped in the weeds or by
the people watering them.

Stay far away from the underground conversations because you never know when you
may get associated with the negative dynamics (even if you are not involved). If you
dont, you run the risk of creating a negative image for yourself that may steer you
away from the influencers and thus you will find your career in a continuous holding
pattern.

5. Constructive Conflict
Playing it too safe at work will make it more difficult to get noticed. If you are looking
to advance in your career and develop as a leader, it is imperative that you
continuously test your ideas and ideals. You need to know how your talents best fit
within the organization. Its healthy to challenge the old ways of doing things with
the intention of making things better, creating new ways of generating results and
improving everyones performance.

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Constructive conflict is being mindful enough to challenge the status quo respectfully
and to do it in a manner that assures your colleagues and the organization dont grow
complacent. Many times a workplace culture becomes too self-satisfied especially
when the company is making money. Regardless of the environment, constructive
conflict allows you to get noticed because you are being courageous enough to shake
things up and test new ways of helping the organization grow and compete.

6. Be Yourself
This is the most important way to get noticed immediately yet the one that most
people still havent quite figured out. When you can be your most authentic self, you
are able to deliver your full potential at work each and every day. It allows you to do
steps 1-5 seamlessly and have fun at work again. When you are having fun, you give
permission for others to have fun too. Your energy becomes contagious; your
leadership and work ethic become valued and respected.

You dont need to self-promote to get noticed. Its unnecessary to accelerate the
advancement of your career. The trick is to know how you best fit within the
organization and to trust yourself enough to go for it! You dont need to be perfect
you just need to be really good consistently. Once you have figured out how to
navigate the changing terrain, you will be on your way. Pace yourself, observe, learn,
deliver results and make sure that the organization keeps winning. You will rise and
get noticed immediately.

7 Ways To Get Noticed At Work

Over the course of my work as a career coach, Ive had some exceptional clients. While
I typically help eager job hunters get more clarity and job offers, I felt inspired to work
with a young woman named Amy, who didnt fit my usual profile.

Amy wasnt concerned about landing a job, she was becoming increasingly concerned
about getting ahead in her job. In her words, shed been doing everything that was
asked of her, but no one was acknowledging her efforts, let alone rewarding them.
Meanwhile, other entry-level employees were flying past her with promotions and
raises.

Sound familiar?
We immediately got down to the specifics, assessing the culture and mission of Amys
company. I learned that it was a small company with a very casual vibe, yet Amy
couldnt even get up the nerve to speak to the CEO when she saw her in the
lunchroom. When I pointed out that her hesitation to communicate was hurting her
chances of promotion, Amy was bewildered.
Its about results, right? Amy asked.
Its about results And likeability, I shared.
How could Amy ever going to convince her colleagues that she cared about the
business if she wouldnt make any effort to engage with the people in it?
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Employers need workers. Young people need jobs. So why arent they getting hired?
The truth is that the people who get promoted are doing more than just getting the
work done. Studies show that how we value an employees competence changes
according to how much we like or dislike that person.

In other words, being really good at your job isnt enough.

For an employee to stand out, being likeable is a huge indicator for career success. The
good news is that the biggest hindrance to likeability is apathy This means you can
change how others perceive you simply by making the choice to care.

There are steps you can take right now, regardless of your circumstances that will put
you back on the promotion path, where you belong:

1. Take initiative. Are there any tasks that have been lingering on your boss to-do list
for a few weeks? Have the office plants been calling out for water that everyones been
too lazy to give them? A great way to get noticed is by taking on a project that no one
wants to tackle, but that has to get done. Ill never forget my last corporate job before
becoming a career coach. One of my employees went out of her way to make a chart of
the deliverables, and it just made my heart surge. It was a job that needed to be done
but I hadnt set aside any time for it, so when she took the initiative and presented it to
me, it felt like Christmas morning!
When you want to stand out at work use your job description as a starting point, not
an end point.

2. Build rapport, everywhere. People who get big things done are people who know
people, but the Amys of the world have a tendency to think that inter-office
relationship building is too time-consuming and draining to be worthwhile. I teach
hundreds of job hunters around the world the networking skills they need to create
contacts out of thin air, and the truth is that its less complicated than people make it
out to be. Start with a gesture: If youre running out for Starbucks SBUX +0.78%, offer
to pick up a latte for your coworker.
Networking is about kindness, mutual support and growth Whos in?
Every aspect of your professional life will improve if you get to know your colleagues
and making them feel comfortable getting to know you. Once youve broken the ice,
you wont feel nearly as uncomfortable about initiating a conversation in the elevator.

3. Participate in the offices extracurricular activities. Needless to say, I recommend

minimizing the vodka cranberry cocktails during office happy hours, but know that the
boundaries of good behavior dont end with your sobriety. Back in my corporate life, Ill
never forget my companys Halloween costume party, where a younger member of the
team proudly showed up in an elaborately overdone get-up that was so tone-deaf and
inappropriate. It distracted everyone else from enjoying the evening, and the mortified
CEO joked that hed never be able to take the employee seriously again.

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The bottom line: When it comes to office events, never put more effort into your social
persona than youre putting into your professional persona, and when in doubt, always
err on the side of maturity.

My colleagues bad costume decision is undoubtedly going to show up in his bank

account.

4. Do business development. Every organization has a bottom line, and if youre

bringing in new business opportunities, you will always be seen as an asset. It doesnt
matter if youve been hired for marketing; its all about contributing in a bigger way.
This doesnt mean you need to be a walking billboard for your employer, but you
should maintain a keen awareness of the opportunities that surround you, whether
youre in a coffee line or a board meeting.

5. Be a team player. Sometimes youre the star of the show, and sometimes youre in
the chorus. Being alert to your coworkers needs, and offering to help when their
workload is overwhelming, is the best way to establish yourself as a team player.
You dont need to be a martyr of self-sacrifice by staying late every single night to do
someone elses work, but stepping up without expecting any personal benefit will
never go unnoticed or unappreciated.

6. Never talk smack. Thats the number one way to get noticedand get fired. Your
critiques may be spot-on and your impersonation of the boss might be the best in
show, but dont resort to gossip as a way of gaining popularity in the office.
Its a universal truth that the person doing the trash talking always looks worse than
the person whos being trashed, even when the criticism is deserved. Stay above the
fray at all costs.

7. Speak up. At 23 years old, I was hired to run a program for the Pentagon, and Ill
never forget my fear of speaking up as I sat in a sea of military leaders. The biggest shift
in my career came when I took a quantum leap out of my comfort zone and started
sharing my thoughts in staff meetings.

One day, they were trying to come up with a new approach for the programs
curriculum, and I sat there, mentally poking holes in all of their ideas. After theyd
exhausted their options, I finally just let loose with my suggestions.

My input transformed the work we were doing, and my role on the team became more
significant overnight.

It can be terrifying to put yourself out there, but the employee whos still coming up
with ideas long after the creativity fountain runs dry is a huge asset to any
organization.

Over the course of a few months, Amy started to realize that having a voice in the
workforce is like a muscle that grows stronger with frequent use. With each step
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forward, her self-consciousness loosened its grip and she became confident about
seizing opportunities. She felt empowered to step up, regardless of whether it was to
run a meeting or fix the copy machine.

The standout employees are the ones who behave like leaders, even when their title is
Intern. The irony is that when youre more focused on the results than the promotion,
your title will change faster than you can even imagine.
If you dont believe me, guess whos now managing her companys brand new office in
London?

That would beyou guessed itAmy.

Get Noticed at Promotion Time

Since you started at your company one year ago, several positions have opened up you
could have easily slipped into. Instead, other internal candidates got the nod. The last
person who was hired in your company (just two months ago) was even promoted.

What can you do to get noticed and prevent another opportunity from passing you by?
Study these solutions to the five common myths that can hold you back from a
rewarding career.

People Should Just Know I'm a Hard Worker

Being a hard worker doesn't mean you'll reap the rewards due to you. Every now and
then, find a way to toot your own horn. Did you recently receive kudos for a job well
done? Find a way to get your boss to acknowledge your success in the company
newsletter or up on the bulletin board. Buy yourself a nice scarf, pin or tie as a
reminder of that success. When people comment on the item, make sure to tell them
what it represents.

My Boss Automatically Knows I Want to Move Up

Not unless he is a mind reader. Take some time to figure out how you want your job to
grow. Have a meeting with your boss, and outline your goals. Don't leave the meeting
until you have ensured your boss's support. "Will you help me?" is a key question to
ask during this interview. It's flattering to your boss, but it's also an essential question,
since most often you'll need your boss's support to move forward.

My Colleague Is My Friend and Would Never Compete with Me for This New Opening

Of course not -- it's only a dynamic new position that pays 10 percent to 20 percent
more than either of you currently makes. Keep in mind that business comes before
friendship in the office. It's not a coffee klatch. While it's great to like your colleagues,
keep your eye on the ball, and don't get distracted by idle chitchat. Someone may grab
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the brass ring while you're not looking.

The Only Way to Learn About Openings Is When HR Posts Them

You can hear just about anything through the office grapevine. Just avoid the closely
related office gossip line. Get to know people in other departments who can fill you in
on the comings and goings in their area. A quick "Hi, how was your weekend?" is a
good opening to keep in touch with just about anyone. Just make sure you don't linger
too long chatting to everyone, or you'll be mistaken for a loitering gossip rather than a
serious worker who is taking interest in the company.

If I Get Cozy with Other Managers, My Boss Will Be Threatened

Yes and no. Yes, if your boss is not good at her job. If there's a department you'd like to
work in, by all means find ways to establish relationships within that department. Show
an interest in what's going on, and let people know you'd like to learn more. Offer to
pitch in to help in that department -- of course, don't let it interfere with your own job,
or your boss may feel angry rather than threatened. When an opening comes up in
that department, you'll come to mind when the interview process begins.

The bottom line is be a participant, not an observer, in your career. Quit watching
others get ahead, and start taking an active interest in your profession.

Four Ways to Get on Your Boss's Radar Screen

Hopefully, you're not still under the illusion that if you're talented and hardworking,
somehow people will notice and you'll get your just rewards.
A lot of people are still out there waiting around for a promotion or raise to come,
getting more disillusioned and depressed with every passing day. Getting promoted
means getting noticed, which is not something that happens on its own. But you can
make it happen by using the following four strategies as often as possible.

Volunteer for Assignments

Stay alert for opportunities that will allow you to do any or all of the following:
Showcase your best skills
Stretch in some way
Align your efforts with your boss's key interests.

You must stay vigilant and watch for situations to arise. Make sure your hand goes up
before others in the class realize there's an opportunity.

Speak Up at Least Three Times in Every Meeting

If you're an introvert, this might be a stretch for you, but there are ways to train
yourself and prepare. This is an extrovert-dominated world, where people who take

75
longer to formulate their thoughts often find that the conversation has galloped off in
another direction before they have a chance to respond.

Here's a simple solution: Get the agenda ahead of time, read it over and script (write
out for yourself so you can check your notes during the meeting) some of the ideas
you've developed. Then, a simple glance at your notes during the fast-moving debate
will help you drop some dynamite ideas into the fray. When you're quiet, some may
assume there is nothing going on inside your head. Don't let people, especially your
boss, think this about you.

Stay Informed, and Let It Show

Read, surf the Web or talk with colleagues in your field, and keep in touch with what's
going on in your profession. Then be sure to drop nuggets of what you've learned and
your conclusions about the information you've gathered into conversations, memos or
any relevant work material. Take the time to have some interesting and useful
thoughts, and then make sure other people know about them.
In organizations today, being informed about what's happening this week is only part
of the battle; the people who will be rewarded with raises and promotions are those
who prove that they're thinking ahead in order to be strategic rather than reactive.

Document Your Successes

Let people know what's going on as a matter of course. When you have a brief meeting
with someone and a plan is set, send an email confirming who is doing what and copy
relevant people. When you get a positive comment or a thank you from someone,
forward it to your boss, assuming she'll want to see any good news that comes in about
the work unit she's managing. After all, your success is ultimately her success.
So many people complain that they're just not being appreciated and their coworkers
and bosses take them for granted. Don't forget that you have to act to ensure your
efforts are rewarded and your work is noticed. And if the rewards aren't forthcoming,
start a job search so you can find a better opportunity.

5 Proven Ways to Get a Promotion

Are you ready for a promotion? You may be wishing for a better title and a bigger
paycheck, but if your boss hasn't indicated that you'll be moving up any time soon, you
may need to make some changes.

From improving your wardrobe to changing your behavior in the office, here are five
proven ways to grab your boss's attention and get the promotion you want.

Adjust your attitude

Before you can even think about getting a promotion, you need to make sure you have
the right attitude. If you want to advance in your career, you'll have to ditch the "glass
half empty" mentality and be more positive and optimistic.

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According to a CareerBuilder survey, 62 percent of employers said that having a
negative or pessimistic attitude hurt an employee's chances for promotion. Having a
bad attitude was considered just as egregious by employers as regularly showing up to
work late, and worse than using vulgar language, regularly leaving work early and
taking too many sick days.

Of course, no one can be sunny and smiling every minute of every work day, but if you
know that you're the type to complain frequently, you should be more aware of how
negative you come across and try to make some changes.

Dress for success

You've probably heard the phrase "dress for the job you want, not the job you have"
and research shows it's true. The way you dress definitely plays a part in how others
form their first impressions of you, and it can do the same when you're looking to
advance in your career.

Research from OfficeTeam shows that 80 percent of executives think clothing choices
affect an employee's chances of earning a promotion. Of that 80 percent, 72 percent
said an employee's style of dress mattered somewhat, while 8 percent said it mattered
significantly. The survey also found that the extent to which clothing affects an
employee's chances of being promoted has decreased over the last several years, but
with only 20 percent of employers saying that clothing doesn't matter, it's not worth
the risk.

That said, if you work in a very casual office, showing up in an expensive suit every day
may not be the best option, but you can still find ways to dress to impress. Just observe
what your supervisor or those who work in your dream department wear and follow
their lead. It's all about dressing appropriately for your work environment and finding
ways to incorporate your personality into your wardrobe, too.

Plus, according to research by University of Hertfordshire professor Karen Pine, your

clothing can have a huge impact on your self-confidence, Daily Mail reported. And if
you're feeling confident, you're definitely more likely to impress your boss.

Act like a leader

No boss will promote an employee who doesn't demonstrate good leadership skills,
especially if a promotion means you'll be in a more managerial position. According to
Harvard Business Review, if you want to move up in your career, you have to "act,
think, and communicate like a leader long before that promotion," and that doing so
will ultimately make you more likely to get promoted.

So how can you prove your leadership capabilities without a team to lead? Harvard
Business Review had some suggestions: First, you need to make sure you're not so
distracted by your ambitions that you forget to excel at your current role. Get your
work done, and do it well. From there, look for extra tasks, neglected business needs
and smaller leadership roles that aren't being filled and volunteer to take them on. Be
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sure to also build relationships with important figures at the company. And definitely
don't let your ego get in the way instead, focus on what the company needs and
maintain some modesty.

Be sociable
Another way to prove yourself to your boss is to socialize with other employees.
Attending after-work events or joining group activities like a company softball league
or trivia team shows that you're invested in company beyond just putting in your 40
hours per week. And, building relationships with other employees can show your boss
that you're well liked and can also add to the idea that you can be a strong leader.
A study by professor Timothy Judge from the University of Notre Dame's Mendoza
College of Business found that extroversion is the best predictor of leadership
effectiveness, Business Insider reported. And according to CareerBuilder, building
positive relationships at work both encourages teamwork and employees who build
these relationships have a better chance at getting a promotion because they make the
workday more pleasant, CNN reported.

When you're socializing with co-workers, just make sure you're doing so appropriately.
For example, attending a work happy hour is fine, but drinking too much could
seriously hurt your reputation. In addition, when you're talking to your co-workers, you
should avoid complaining and venting, because you never know who it will get back to.
Stick to keeping things light and positive, and avoid controversial topics that could
upset people or get you in trouble.

Just ask for it

If you don't talk to your boss about growth opportunities and your career trajectory at
the company, your boss might not even realize you'd like to get a promotion. You
should make it clear to your supervisor that you're looking to take on a bigger role so
that you won't get passed over for a promotion simply because no one knew you were
interested.

An Accenture study found that only 44 percent of women and 48 percent of men said
they have asked for pay raises, and only 28 percent of women and 39 percent of men
said they've asked for promotions, CBS News reported. But of those employees who
did ask, the majority got a positive response. Seventeen percent were promoted to a
new role that was even better than they'd hoped to land, and 42 percent got the role
they asked for. Another 10 percent got a new role, but not the role they asked for, 5
percent got new responsibilities but no promotion, and only 10 percent got nothing in
response.

Even if you don't think you're ready to outright ask for a promotion, talking to your
supervisor about your goals and ambitions is still a good idea. If you're lacking in
certain areas, your boss can tell you what you need to work on in order to be
considered for a promotion or a pay raise. Not only will it give you an idea of changes
that you need to make in your work and your behavior, it will show your boss that
you're actively trying to improve, which will definitely get you noticed in a good way.
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5 Steps to Getting Noticed and Promoted

Propel your career by increasing your visibility at work.

About On Careers
Our expert contributors give their best advice on answering common interview
questions, perfecting job applications, negotiating salary and more.
Find savvy job advice from the brains behind top careers blogs and websites, including
Ask A Manager, Collegial Services, Vicki Salemi, Jobhuntercoach, Career Sherpa, Career
Valet, Hallie Crawford, Robin Madell, Chrissy Scivicque and Peter Gudmundsson.

Speak up during meetings and don't be afraid to highlight your achievements.

You are working your tail to the bone with long hours and maximum effort, to no avail.
Maybe this is the root of the problem. If you are working hard in seclusion, you have
probably fallen off the radar. To achieve your true goal of rising in the organization and
getting a raise, you have to do great work, and people have to know youve done it.
Here are five things you can do to help propel your career.

Gain visibility. Visibility is vital to becoming the kind of person who gets promotions,
raises and access to opportunities, according to Jeffrey Pfeffer, a professor at
Stanfords Graduate School of Business. As easy as this sounds, it is often difficult to
put into action. Many people think talking about their own successes is bragging.

Actually, its about taking credit where credit is due.

Even well-meaning managers have difficulty tracking the teams individual

achievements. It isnt that they dont want to notice its that they lack time due to a
demanding workload, managing crises and conflicting priorities. Make it easy for your
manager to keep tabs on you by sending a weekly or monthly email update. State what
you accomplished in objective, measurable terms, and always try to tie your
achievements to organizational goals or how they benefit the bottom line.

Get seen. Working long hours and coming in early doesnt earn you brownie points,
especially if no one knows. If you must work overtime, consider choosing a time of day
your manager is around. For example, if your manager is an early bird, plan to arrive
early in the day. You may even want to swing by your managers office and say a quick
good morning.

Taking on a highly visible project is another way to gain exposure. Look for
opportunities to take on an assignment that holds potential for visibility, such as
working on a new product or service, revamping a process that affects the company or
even contributing to a company-sponsored community service project.

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Get heard. The next time you attend a meeting or event and are asked to introduce
yourself, be sure you have a solid pitch. Dont just state your name and title. Go one
step further and add something you are proud of achieving or include a mini
testimonial. For example: My name is Jane Doe, and Im in the sales support division.
My team says Im the one who makes their lives easier.
If you have difficulty speaking up or broadcasting your achievements, enlist the help of
teammates or colleagues. Your peers know you and how you work. Ask if they would
be willing to help talk up your strengths. Reciprocating this favor is a wise career move
that will not go unnoticed.

Start keeping track. Beginning today, track your achievements using a simple grid.
Label three columns: task/goal, actions and results.
Task/goal is the project or assignment you were given or you proactively took on. For
example: Collect articles and information for monthly newsletter to share with
employees.

The actions column identifies the steps you took or the things you did to accomplish
your task or goal. Here is an example of how to summarize actions:
Determine articles, contests, news for content
Request information from necessary divisions
Edit, format and gain approval
Distribute to intranet and distribute hard copies to senior management

The third column, results, contains the outcome of your actions. For example:
Communicated company news and events to build community among 2,500
employees across four locations on a monthly basis. Whenever possible, incorporate
quantitative results.

Organization pays off. If you have a performance evaluation on the horizon, your
manager may ask you to submit a list of projects youve been working on or complete a
form outlining your accomplishments. Gather the information and try to remember
everything you did over the year, which can be time-consuming if you havent been
keeping good records. You may even forget about some successes you had earlier in
the year.

Regularly use this easy system to communicate your achievements when you check in
with your manager, prepare for your performance evaluation and update
your rsum.

Hannah Morgan writes and speaks on career topics and job search trends on her
blog, Career Sherpa. She co-authored Social Networking for Business Success, and
has developed and delivered programs to help job seekers understand how to look for
work better.

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wiki: How to Be Noticed at Work

Three Parts: Fitting InDoing Quality WorkBeing a Good ColleagueCommunity Q&A

Workplaces can be extremely competitive! It can be tempting to rely on gimmicks like

flashy clothes or jokes to stand out at work, but this can backfire if youre looking for a
promotion. If you want to get noticed by your superiors at work, the best way to stand
out is to conform to your workplace, do quality work, and be a good colleague.

Three Parts:Fitting InDoing Quality WorkBeing a Good ColleagueCommunity Q&A

Workplaces can be extremely competitive! It can be tempting to rely on gimmicks like

flashy clothes or jokes to stand out at work, but this can backfire if youre looking for a
promotion. If you want to get noticed by your superiors at work, the best way to stand
out is to conform to your workplace, do quality work, and be a good colleague.

Part 1
Fitting In

1
Practice good hygiene. You dont want to be noticed because you smell strongly or
wear unwashed clothes. Make sure you come to work clean and well-groomed--it can
make a big difference!
Dont go overboard and use lots of scented products. Many people dislike strong
perfumes and some workplaces even have rules against them.

2
Follow the dress code. Being noticed because your clothes dont follow company
policy will not be good for your career. If your job requires a uniform, make sure its
ironed, fits you properly, and that your shoes and accessories conform to the dress
code. If you dont wear a uniform, read the company dress code carefully before you
get dressed to go to work.
If you want a promotion, dress the way your supervisors do.

3
Learn about your company's culture. Knowing whats appropriate for your particular
workplace will help you get noticed in all the right ways. Some workplaces are very
formal and discourage workers from socializing or doing anything that isnt work. Other
companies want their workers to be friends with each other and act casually. Take your
cues from your supervisors, not your co-workers.
If the CEO of your company wears shorts and flip-flops, wearing a suit every day
will give the impression that you don't understand the company's culture. Dress more
casually and talk about your hobbies more at this kind of company.
If your job expects you to wear full business suits and follow strict protocol at all
times, don't bring in a radio or change into your gym clothes at the office.

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4
Show up on time or early. Showing up late to work stands out in a very negative way.
If you cant get to work early, show up on time for every shift. People will remember
you for your punctuality and courtesy.

5
Follow the rules. Some workplace rules can seem pointless or aggravating, but
following them will show your supervisors that youre a conscientious employee who
cares about the companys policies.
Get your own copy of the company handbook and check it regularly.
If a company rule is harmful or violates someones rights, speak to human
resources or your supervisor.

Part 2
Doing Quality Work

1
Focus on quality, not quantity. Your supervisors will not be impressed if your work is
finished quickly but full of mistakes. If you have a list of tasks to complete, focus more
on completing each task correctly than on finishing the entire list quickly.[3]
Dont take too long to finish up, however. If you are struggling to get quality work
done in a reasonable timeframe, talk to your supervisor about ways to improve.

2
Finish your work on time. If youre given a deadline, dont ignore it or assume it can
be pushed back. Keep a list of your deadlines in your planner or online, and check it
daily. You should only ask for a deadline extension in emergency situations.[4]

3
Communicate with your coworkers if theres a problem. If you are going to be late to
work, late on a deadline, or if you make a mistake, talk to your teammates or
supervisor immediately. People appreciate a worker who communicates about issues
quickly instead of saying nothing.

4
Stay late if you can. If your workplace is struggling to finish a task, stay late to help
them out--it will be remembered! If you genuinely cant stay after work hours, ask your
supervisor if theres a way you can contribute during your shift.[5]

5
Seek out ways to improve your performance. Dont wait for your evaluation to talk
about ways to improve. If youve been struggling with certain tasks or skills, talk to
your supervisor about it now instead of waiting for them to bring it up. Theyll
remember your initiative.[6]
Keep the conversation positive and be careful not to give your supervisor the
impression that you expect them to fix your problem for you. If you've been warned
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about mistakes in a company program, you can say something like "I've been struggling
with mastering this new program, and it's been affecting my ability to present quality
work. Is there a tutorial or handbook I can look at to help me improve my
understanding of the program?"

6
Take on new challenges. Be proactive and ask your supervisor if theres anything else
you can do, like a new project, or a new set of skills. Your interest in improving your
skills and moving up in the company will be noticed.[7]

7
Promote yourself. Dont be afraid to remind your supervisors of your abilities. If you
have the chance to talk to someone higher up in the company, mention a few of your
achievements during your conversation. It doesnt have to be bragging--if you meet the
CEO, you can introduce yourself by your name, department, and a recent project you
led, for example.[8]

Part 3
Being a Good Colleague

1
Help your coworkers. If you see a coworker struggling, do what you can to help
them, especially if its an emergency. Be careful not to neglect your own work to help
others, or get into the habit of finishing your coworkers tasks for them.*9+

2
Socialize with your coworkers. Some people think that doing a good job is the only
criteria for promotion, but in many workplaces, being a team player is just as
important. You dont have to be best friends with everyone at work, but if youre
friendly and sociable, youll be noticed for it. Smile, make eye contact, and ask after
your coworkers.[10]

3
Avoid saying negative things about your coworkers. Dont gossip about other
employees, ridicule a coworkers appearance, or offer unsolicited negative feedback on
someone elses work. If you are directly asked by a supervisor to assess a coworker, be
honest, but dont be unnecessarily negative.
For example, if your teammate is always late, instead of saying that theyre
incompetent and should be fired, say that they could improve their punctuality.

4
Participate in workplace events. Many people dislike workplace events like Silly Hat
Day or company picnics, but avoiding them can give your supervisors the impression
that you dont like your colleagues. Do your best to participate--its a great way to
meet people higher up in the company outside of a formal work setting.[12]

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5
Avoid discussing your personal life. You should be friendly with your coworkers, but
dont get too personal. Talking too much about your personal life can be seen as
unprofessional, and your supervisors may question your judgement. Its okay to
mention that you have children or a partner, but you shouldnt discuss breakups, your
intimate life, or family problems.

6
Donate to office funds. If you can afford it, donate to office funds like charity drives,
baby showers, and emergency assistance. Refusing to contribute to these could earn
you a bad reputation. If you really cant participate in all of them, donate to one or
two, or offer to help in some other way.
For example, if your office collects money for birthday cakes, you could offer to
pick up the cake instead.

Tips
Be as accurate and quality conscious as you can in everything you do.
Don't try to show off.
Dont take credit for others work.

Career development: Enhancing your employability

Six ways to get noticed at work

Your long-term career success depends on winning the attention of others at work.
Maintaining a high (while positive!) profile could mean becoming involved in new
projects, which could help you towards completing your performance objectives
In todays competitive world of work, being good at your job may not be enough to get
you the rewards you want and deserve, and to progress your career.

They say hard work is its own reward, but without visibility theres a good chance its
the only reward youll get, says Kris Flanagan, associate director at Robert Half.
If you keep your head down, some of the decision makers in your company may not be
aware of you, so you could miss out on the most interesting assignments and
promotions.

In a busy office, others are also vying for a higher rung on the corporate ladder and
your contributions will most likely get lost on the collective climb up, unless you call
attention to them, says Flanagan. It may seem unfair, but those of your colleagues
who know how to maximise their visibility will often get there ahead of you.
Granted, many professional workplaces have continuous work assessments and formal
appraisal processes, which should make the climb up fair for all involved.

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If comparisons are made based on the quality and quantity of work produced, then
there should be no difference in who "gets noticed", says Mary-Lou Duggan, practice
manager at Pierce Business Advisory & Accountancy Group.

However, to be really noticed, you will need to be outstanding in some way this is
the same in a professional practice as it is in life, she adds.

In many ways, getting noticed boils down to establishing a good reputation for
yourself or building a strong personal brand, and then promoting it.
Your brand personality is how others see you, says Roger Delves, director of general
management qualifications portfolio at Ashridge Business School. However, many
people cringe at the thought of self-promotion, equating it with incessant boasting and
generally being very annoying to all around them. But self-promotion doesnt have to
mean shouting from the rooftops about how good you really are. There are more
subtle ways to make yourself visible.

1. Step forward
If you think you can handle more work alongside your regular tasks, raise your hand
and volunteer for extra assignments, says Flanagan.
Broadening the scope of your responsibilities shows your willingness to be a team
player, he adds. Your managers will also appreciate that you show initiative rather
than wait to be asked.

Also, ask to be involved with projects where you can work with other teams and across
departments.

This will increase your internal network of contacts, says Karen Young, director at
Hays Accountancy & Finance. Even more importantly, ask to be involved in high-
visibility projects, such as those that have a big impact on your companys bottom line.
This will help you gain exposure to decision makers above your line manager.

Go beyond your job description, too.

Consider registering for additional training to undertake positions of responsibility in

your office such as fire marshal, first aider or team representative on an employee
social committee, says Young.
Does your employer support a local or national charity?

Put yourself forward to coordinate or get involved with this, says Young. Participating
in charity events is also great for raising your profile, beside contributing to a
worthwhile cause. You could ask to be sponsored to take part in a charity race or
another fundraising event.

2. Speak up
Departmental meetings are great for increasing your visibility within your immediate
team, provided you speak up. If you are shy or worried you dont have anything
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worthwhile to contribute, read the agenda beforehand and plan what to say and what
questions to ask.

If you are a trainee, you may think yourself too inexperienced to make a workable
contribution, but most employers welcome ideas from all levels of staff. So dont be
afraid to pitch in during brainstorming sessions. After all, you may be sitting on a gem
of an idea, but unless you voice it, it counts for nothing, says Flanagan. Contributing
ideas also shows youre an innovative thinker and demonstrates your desire to benefit
the company, he adds.

3. Own it
Experts agree being too modest will get you nowhere.
If someone acknowledges a contribution you made on a project and you respond, "It
was nothing", then dont be surprised if nothing results from it, says Flanagan.
Its perfectly acceptable to take credit for something thats well earned, so dont let
the fear of sounding boastful keep you from getting the attention you deserve, he
warns. A simple, Thanks, Im glad what I did was helpful boosts visibility, self-
effacement does not.

4. Share it
Equally, leave your modesty at home and let others know when you have achieved
something you are proud of, rather than simply wait for them to notice.

Share your successes and any excellent feedback received with your colleagues,
suggests Young. This may encourage them to do the same rather than leave them feel
resentful of you getting the limelight.

But do give credit where credits due and share that limelight with those who have
helped you along the way. Similarly, spread the word about the achievements of your
colleagues even if you have had no part in their success. You will help them raise their
visibility and will raise your own profile in the process.

Sharing your knowledge will help raise your profile too. You could volunteer to blog on
your company's intranet or website, or speak about your area of expertise at
networking events. Developing a reputation as an expert can lead to interesting work
projects, speaking and training opportunities, all of which increase your visibility.

5. Get connected
Whats in a name? Not much if more people dont know you, points out Flanagan.
Distinguishing yourself from the crowd requires being well known outside your
immediate team.

Make the rounds at corporate parties and events and introduce yourself to
professionals in other departments. Creating new contacts builds camaraderie and is a
good way to ensure youre known throughout the company, says Flanagan.
Just be certain to always know your stuff and keep up to date with company news.
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If you are put on the spot or bump into senior management, you will feel more
confident to start a conversation and demonstrate your knowledge, says Young.

If you work for a listed business for example, you should always know the share price!

Dont forget to connect online, too.

Make sure your professional online profile is always up to date and has the correct
contact information. Then, if you extend your internal network in person, connect with
the same people online too, says Young.

6. Finally, mind your manners

People who have the best and the most-polished manners, and who can communicate
well, will always stand out from the crowd, says Duggan.

Keep calm, even if you think you are being judged unfairly, and you will win the
respect of your mentors. Be discreet, even-tempered and smile, and you will be
noticed, she adds.

Roger Delves explains there are two aspects to a persons (or a personal brands)
appeal: one is rational and tangible and relates to what you do; the other is emotional
and intangible and relates to how you behave.

The first is important because it relates to your professionalism. But its the second
that is the differentiator how people respond to you at an emotional level is what will
cause you to stand out, he says.

Ways to get noticed by your boss

Career advice

Getting recognition from your boss is about making yourself an indispensable member
of the team a team member who adds value and enthusiasm to the organisation.

Its not enough to just be good at your job

Here are 10 tips to help ensure that you never get overlooked by your boss again:

1. Go above and beyond

Go above and beyond the narrow confines of your job description. Investigate relevant
teams or projects that excite you (and are in your boss interests) and voice your
eagerness to get involved. After all, if you dont ask, you dont get.

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Not only will this help you develop your skills, but it will help you get your name out
there, and ultimately make it hard for your boss not to notice you.
2. Stay one step ahead

Be proactive and stay one step ahead in all that you do. Complete the things you need
to do without having to be reminded or chased. Always have the foresight to predict
whats coming next and take the initiative to make the necessary preparations.

3. Dont let your standards slip even on the small stuff

Particularly if you have been working for your organisation for some time, it can be all
too easy to slip into sloppy habits. Poor time-keeping or scruffy dressing can very
quickly give the impression your heart is elsewhere.

Every little thing counts towards someones overall perception of you, and its
important not to let your standards drop. Even if you feel your boss isnt noticing you,
dont think they wont spot things like this.

4. The devil is in the detail

Putting in the work and getting on with tasks that colleagues forget (or dont want to
do) will help you stand out from the rest, and you will be seen as a reliable and
considerate team player by your boss.

5. Shout about your successes

Dont be afraid to blow your own trumpet and shout about your successes. After all, no
one will do this for you. If youve had a success, make sure your boss and the wider
team knows about it. Make sure you are subtle here, and be sure not to rub it in the
face of your colleagues.

6. Present only good ideas

When a good idea pops into your head, avoid the temptation of running straight to
your boss to tell them about it. Take time to consider it fully, reviewing its implications
and implementation, and most importantly, how you plan to measure the value it
could bring.

Before you present it to your boss, think about possible questions and comments they
might have, and be ready to tackle them.

7. Invest in your own development

Show a long-term commitment to your profession and demonstrate to your boss that
you are keen to progress by actively investing in your own development. Put yourself

88
forward for training opportunities and the chance to develop your skills whenever you
can.

8. Your attitude matters as much as your aptitude

Nothing will bring down your reputation or the morale of your team quicker than
negativity. Get yourself into a positive frame of mind. When you see a problem or
challenge, before communicating it to your boss, come up with a viable and realistic
solution.

9. Stand out in meetings

Prepare well for meetings by getting sight of the agenda and delegates in advance.
Start to formulate your views, ideas and relevant action points beforehand, so that you
are fully armed to stand out in that all important meeting.

However, be careful not to fall into the trap of speaking.

10. Seek out, take on board and action feedback

When your boss gives you feedback, take it on board and act on it in a tangible way.
This will demonstrate that you are serious about your development and respect their
views.

Above all, its about taking ownership of your career, being proactive and taking
initiative.

8 Subtle Habits That Will Get You Noticed By Your Boss

Want to quickly make a good impression on your employer? Make these key habits
part of your work routine.

Growing up, you were probably told to study hard, get good grades, go to college, and
find a job with a respectable company, where you could spend 30 or 40 years working
your way up the corporate ladder.

And for the millions of you who have chosen that path, there is good news. You dont
always have to play the waiting game you know, the one where you wait for a
promotion, you wait to get a raise and you wait to be noticed.

Having spent more than 10 years working my way up from peon status to being in a
partnership in a $200 million financial planning practice, I have come to understand
what it takes to make headway in corporate America.

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I actually rose up the ladder and found myself in a very lucrative job. And I did it
without any fancy credentials or even a college degree. I did it by studying people and
building relationships with my peers and bosses.
Tips for getting noticed

There are so many things that employees can do to get noticed and stand out from
their coworkers. So many employees try to fly under the radar and just get by without
stirring the pot. Dont be that employee! You want to be noticed by your superiors.

Go after it. The cream always rises to the top and you need to be the cream! There is
no need to be obnoxious, aggressive or pushy. This will only serve to alienate you from
your coworkers and arouse resentment.

Instead, try using these subtle habits every day and youll be amazed at how fast you
get noticed.

1. Make eye contact with your boss

This is a sign not only of confidence (bosses love confidence), but also of honesty. Ever
try lying to peoples faces? Its extremely hard to look them in the eye when you do.

2. Remember what matters to them

Know their spouses name, their childrens names and their pets names. People love
when others remember the things that they hold most dear. Doing this will not only
show that you care but will strengthen your relationship.

3. Be bold

Be the first one to ask a question in a meeting. Dont worry about looking stupid. The
fear of criticism will prevent most people from opening their mouths and therefore
getting noticed. A good boss will appreciate the moxie you have for being willing to
engage.

4. Never show up late

Bosses hate tardiness because it takes away from productivity and most bosses are
compensated in some form or another on productivity. By being late, you are in
essence taking money from their pockets, disrespecting them and the firm, and
showing them you dont take your job seriously.

5. Own your mistakes

Its far too easy to blame someone for breaking that damn copier, but own up to it and
you will be rewarded. Not monetarily of course, but by gaining respect as an honest
person. If you screw up a deal that costs the firm money, take ownership of it and ask
90
how you can do better next time. Especially in very large companies, where its easy to
go unnoticed, be the responsible one who can own up to making a mistake.

6. Be dependable

Yes, it will suck having to work late when you have tickets to the Red Sox game, but
think of the upside. By sacrificing your time (and fun) in the short term, your long-term
future may brighten significantly. Be the team player who is available in a pinch. Being
the go-to person when a deadline needs to be met can become a huge asset to your
career.

7. Have fun

Believe it or not, bosses actually like to see their employees having fun. It is possible to
enjoy your work. Silencing your laughter when your boss turns the corner only shows
that you think work has to be boring and may look like you are hiding something.
Bosses want happy employees because they are far more productive and less likely to
quit.

8. Be a creative thinker

Most employees will simply do what they are told and not much more. Try anticipating
what your boss or company might need. Think ahead and surprise your boss. Good
bosses will be receptive to your suggestions and feedback, so give it to them.
Statements like: Have you thought of XYZ? or Do you think it would be more
productive if we did XYZ? can make a huge difference in how you are viewed by your
employer.

Dont be afraid to voice your opinion. Be constructive if you think you have a better
solution, as many bosses may view your advice and feedback as threatening.

Try developing a few of these habits at a time and see how it affects your job.
Remember, good things happen to good employees. And to be recognized as a good
employee, you first need to be recognized!

5 Reasons Your Boss Doesn't Notice That You're Killing it at Work Lately

Youve been working really hard and the results are there. You beat your quarterly
goals, landed that major client, wrote your best proposal yet, or stretched yourself to
master a completely new part of your role. Then, you looked around for somebody to
recognize what you accomplishedand nothing happened.

The first time, its easy to chalk it up to a simple oversight. After all, you cant expect
praise for each and every impressive thing you do. But what happens when you
consistently work hard and you never even hear a Good job? Its not simply about
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missing out on praise (though, sure, we all want to be appreciated), you may worry
that your manager doesnt see all youre doing.

Here are five possible culprits, along with solutions to get your boss to notice your
work.

1. Your Boss Is Too Busy

Is your supervisor constantly shuffling from meeting to meeting and taking one
business trip after another? If so, your biggest issue may be that he or she doesnt have
enough time to keep your work on her radar. Her schedule is simply too full to have a
casual conversationlet alone a proper check-in meetingwith her staff.

Theres good and bad news here. The good news is that your manager isnt
purposefully shunning you. The bad news is that you only have select opportunities to
get noticed.

Solution

Instead of waiting around for your manager to set a meeting, make an appointment
with herin fact, if you can, make it a weekly one. (If need be, go through her
assistant.) Many people live and die by their daily agendas, so if you arent on the
schedule, then they cant afford to meet with you. However, if youre on there, theyll
be happy to listen to you. (Once youre there, use these tips to get your point across.)

2. Your Boss Plays Favorites

Favoritism sucks. Youve noticed that your supervisor has drinks with two or three of
your co-workersand also loves all of their ideas and suggests they take the lead on
exciting new projects. And youre on the outside looking in.

Truth talk: Managers, like every other human, are pre-programmed toward having
favorites. But while you cant change that theyll naturally click with certain employees
more than others, you can expect that youll all be treated equally regardless.

Solution

Keep in mind that it may not be intentional. It could be that your manager connects
better with a few people and naturally leans in their direction. (Or, yes, it could be that
he blatantly prefers working with people who agree with him.)

In an article about dealing with favoritism at work, career coach Elena Berezovsky says
to ask for help. If you were feeling left out, you might be the one who then
(unintentionally) shut out your manager. Thisll reopen the lines of communication,
and in turn, encourage your boss to pay more attention to you.

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3. Your Boss Doesnt Understand You

Were all unique in the ways we think, talk, and act. If you have different
communications style (e.g., you prefer processing and replying over email and your
manager likes spontaneous conversations), the result may be that your boss doesnt
understand youand you feel your work goes unnoticed.

Solution

Your first steps building stronger communication skills in general. Basics, like looking
your manager in the eye when you speak, asking clear questions, and writing concise
emails can improve your back-and-forth.

Next, find ways to navigate differences. If your supervisor is an introvert and youre an
extrovert, then you should look for ways to reach her that are non-invasive (e.g.,
remember that introverts dislike the phone ). If your supervisors easily stressed, then
you dont want to use dramatic language. If you make these changes, then when you
discuss your recent successes, theyre more likely to respond positively.

4. Your Boss Wont Forgive and Forget

Have you made a mistake in the past? Maybe you missed a project deadline or failed to
reach an important sales goal? While most people recognize mistakes and then move
on, some managers hold grudges, which can make you feel like your work since then is
being overlooked.

Solution

One of the best ways to make a convincing argument is to use facts. Yes, you missed a
deadline two months agohave you beat five since then? So you totally put your foot
in your mouth with a client, but have you since smoothly moved to the next stage of
the project with them?

Dont let your mess up be an elephant in the room. Address it and then prove how
youve regrouped since. From there, segue to other successes youve had recently.

5. Your Boss Is Over It

What if you work for someone whos simply over it? You know, the kind of person
who has a side project going, or is preparing to retire, or dislikes the company, or is
clearly looking for a new job. Hes no longer paying attention to his current roleor
employees.

Solution

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Your boss is looking aheadand so should you. In this case, its less about getting their
attention and more about making sure others know your value. Look for opportunities
to collaborate and work across teams and concrete ways to show your impact. You
want others to be able to vouch for you and to be able to show your value to whoever
youre reporting to next.

A specific way you can start to do this is to offer to take work off your current
managers plate. Ask him if there are ways you can step into (either an official or
unofficial) mentorship role on your team.

While you shouldnt work simply to get credit, being noticed plays a role in moving up
the ladder. Naturally managers promote people who they know, trust, and believe do a
great job. So, if you and your boss are on different pages, its worth putting in the time
and effort to clarify just how much you do.

10 Subtle Things that Will Get You Noticed at Work, According to Managers

Ever wish you could tell what your boss is thinking? Join the club. That's why we got
real employers to spill what really mattersand what could get you the raise you've
been wanting. By Lindsay Tigar

When you take ownership

From stepping up and taking the lead to accepting the faceplant when things go wrong,
taking ownership is vital to bosses. "Does the employee understand what it means to
'own' somethinga process, a piece of equipment, a customer relationship?" asks
Matthew DiGeronimo, the vice president of operations for Veolia Energy North
America and co-author of Extreme Operational Excellence. "It is a rare quality with
invaluable worth when an employee takes responsibility for every aspect of a business
process. This allows the boss to focus her attention elsewhere because she knows that
the employee will take the necessary action, even if it's outside their defined duties
and responsibilities, to ensure success." Here's how to bounce back from a bad
performance review.

When you ask 'why?'

why are often at the helm of the company's pivots, making them keenly aware of the
why, when, how, and where of the success metrics. But when bosses relay this
information to their teams, sometimes the justification for new goals, timelines, or
projects doesn't get communicated effectively. DiGeronimio says an employee who has
a questioning attitude is an asset. "Innovative solutions and creative ideas stem from a
solid understand of 'why' the company is doing something. Too many employees are
happy to keep their head down and do as they're told," he says. "But bosses notice
when an employee is willing to raise her head above the fray and ask, 'Why?' This takes
courage and determination, but a wise boss will hold onto employees who are willing
to do it."
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When you admit you don't know something

Putting on a fake smile and nodding along to a task you don't full understand might feel
like the best move in the moment, but bosses are actually more appreciativeand
could respect you morewhen you ask for help. "Many employees are afraid to say, 'I
don't know.' This is because many corporate cultures do not demand intellectual
integrity and accept half-baked or shoddy answers in lieu of 'I don't know, but I will find
out and get back to you,'" DiGeronimio says. "Some employees feel, perhaps
unconsciously, that saying 'I don't know' is a reflection of a weakness and is frowned
upon. Whereas, a wise boss recognizes that an employee that she can trust is more
important than an employee who always has an answer." Follow these steps to handle
other tricky situations.

When you are personally driven

While a boss will usually set monthly or quarterly goals for you, what matters more
than crunching numbers and working hard with your head down is your personal,
intrinsic drive to be better. In fact, Eric Hobbs, the CEO of Technology Associates, says
he doesn't hire good peoplehe hires 'awesome' people. "I look for people who have
the internal drive to not settle for 'good.' We don't want people to just go through the
motions," he explains. "Either you have the internal drive to be great at whatever you
do or you are always settling for 'just OK.' Staff attitudes simply must align with the
service you are offering, so that the service is delivered properly." Say these mantras to
help make your dream career a reality.

How you spend your breaks

Jake Tully, the head of the creative department for truckdrivingjobs.com says that
employees who invest in their personal happiness are often better performers. While
you might think your boss wants to see you typing away and eating small bites of a
half-baked lunch, they might actually prefer you take the hour to breathe, recharge,
and come back ready to work through the afternoon's tasks. "I certainly don't tell them
what to do or how to spend their time in these instances, but I usually take note of
how their time off is spent. Generally speaking, my best performing employees tend to
get away from a screen and read during their breaks. Some do some light writing or
take a short phone call, but I always think it's nice when they detach themselves from
their computers," he says. Don't miss what healthy people do on their lunch breaks.
How your body language changes

Without intentionally broadcasting your current mood, vibe, or opinion, you're sending
signals to your boss all the time through your body language. From how you sit in
meetings to a slight raise of your eyebrow when you disagree, these movements rarely
go unnoticed by your employer. "I always notice the body language and level of eye
contact that my employees maintain while speaking to one another, myself, and other,
sometimes older employees in the office. For many younger people, the ability to
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demonstrate professional body language and to be able to maintain eye contact when
speaking to someone is a challenge," Tully says. "I have never called anyone out on the
inability to master those skills, but I notice that there are wildly different levels of
differentiation in demonstrating them." Make these power moves at work to increase
your stock at the office.

How forward-thinking you are

Even if you're not in your dream joband perhaps, applying elsewhereyour
employer is noticing the goals you set for yourself and for your role at the company.
Auston Bunsen, lead instructor at wyncode.co, says being able to visualize an
employee's path is something all employers think of. "I really take notice of a person's
vision: Are they thinking short-term or long-term?" he says. "This really helps me figure
out what their priorities are and allows me to help them achieve their goals as well as
coach them into taking a longer term view of their work."

When you put the company's interest above your own

Most companies work hard to earn the loyalty and the trust of their customers, but
employers need to know from the get-go how committed you are to helping your
company grow. "You can't pay for loyalty. It is earned, and it is rare. Your company can
rise or fall on the loyalty of your team," says Adam Hergenrother, CEO of Hergenrother
Enterprises. But loyalty has nothing to do with the length of time an employee is with
you. "Are they just as committed to the success of the company as you are? Do they
often put the company's interest before their own? Are they willing to disagree and
challenge you? Do they make sure to disagree with you in private? Do they have your
back and support you in public? Do they want what is best not just the company, but
for you too?"

Here are smart ways to build trust with your boss.

When you show that you want to learn

There's a common trait among the most successfuland respectedprofessionals out

there, and it's a constant hunger for knowledge. That's why Hergenrother says he
singles out people who are looking to learn and grow. "If you are not growing, you're
dying. I can't have people in my organization who are not growth-minded. We move
fast, we're disrupting multiple industries, and we're failing forward. If I didn't have a
team who was constantly moving and constantly on a quest for more and more
growth, then I would never be able to accomplish my goals. I look for life-long learners
and people who are fueled by progress," he says. These daily habits make you look
smart.

When you use victim language

Remember the importance of taking ownership? Hergenrother goes a step further and
calls out one of his greatest pet peeves in employees: victim language. Instead of being
responsible for your role and your goals, you blame others for your mistakes. That's a
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big red flag for most employers. "It becomes very clear when someone starts to use
victim language, blames others or circumstances for not hitting their goals, or generally
complains and has a negative attitude. Those employees are a downer on the high
octane, productive culture of teamwork and collaboration that we have cultivated," he
says. "They don't last long at my companies." Here's what optimistic people do to
always see the glass half-full.

6 Ways to Get Your Boss to Notice You

Be a familiar face to the folks in high places.

Youre a tireless worker. You get your work finished and accomplish a lot for your
company. But heres a question for you: does the big boss know your name?

You may think that your boss doesnt like you. Why else would they skip you for that
promotion? What if its not about disliking you, but they just dont really notice you?
Or, your boss may know your name and thats about itthat can be just as bad. No
matter how good you are at your job, it is hard to move your career ahead if the boss
isnt taking notice of you and the things you do.

The good news is that there is something you can do about it. Take action and make
sure that you are on the bosss radar and in a good way. Here are some easy tips to
get noticed by your boss.

1. Be early.

Thats right. Dont just be on time, but be early to work. If you can find a way to get up,
get your java, and get into the office even 10 minutes before most of your co-workers
show up, theres a good chance youll be noticed. Most bosses didnt get to their
position by strolling in late every day. If your boss is in early, theyll notice your
dedication and you may even get some alone time together for casual conversation.

Even if that doesnt happen, there are a lot of reasons that getting into work early is
beneficial. Give it a try for one month and see how it goes.

2. Make the first move.

Why not? It can be as simple as looking your boss in the eye and just saying Hi or
How is your day going? as you pass in the hall. Better yet, make an effort to chat with
them in a casual atmosphere. Talk while in the break room or at an office event.

Be sure to ask questions and really listen to the answers. What does your boss really
care about? Family? Sports? One particular project thats happening in the office?
Once you know where your bosss focus is, you can relate to them on that level. Dont
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try to talk yourself up. Just converse and listen well. Keep things positive. Only bring up
a work problem if you are prepared to also suggest a solution.

Once youve had a few conversations with your boss, regardless of the topic, youre on
their radar. Now you can start building yourself up little by little and talking about your
work and successes. Its so easy it could just work!

3. Speak up at team meetings.

Employees who are silent in team meetings are looked at as employees who have little
to contribute. Thats not fair, you say? Perhaps youre an introvert. Too bad. Be
prepared to start giving your input at work meetings. Let them know when your
projects are going well. Offer suggestions to problems that come up. Every boss loves a
problem solver.

By speaking up at team meetings youre sure to get the bosss attention simply by
putting yourself out there. If you are consistently offering smart solutions or talking
about successful projects, youre going to leave a great impression.

4. Be involved.

How can you be more involved at work? Think about charity and/or team building
events. These types of events take a fair amount of effort to set up and execute. By
volunteering to be a part of them, you will come across as a person who is more than a
punch in, punch out employee. Youre engaged with the company.

If you really want to get noticed, volunteer a new idea. Can you think of a fun way to
raise money for the companys main charity? Have you seen a cool new activity that
would make for a fun team building event? Take the lead and volunteer to organize
something new. Too often companies will find themselves in a rut with these kinds of
things because doing something new takes extra work. Be that person whos not afraid
to put in the effort to expand their horizons.

5. Branch out.

Find ways to use your talents and skills to help out departments other than your own
at work. If you are able to spare a little time here and there, you can benefit yourself in
many ways by working cross-departmentally. You will have the chance to help others
while probably learning some new things along the way.

Youll be able to boost your resume, better understand your company as a whole, and
boost your reputation throughout the company. Think the boss wont notice that?
Think again. If you can get people from multiple departments to comment on how
youve helped them, the boss is going to recognize you as a versatile and valuable
person.

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6. Be fun.

Happy, outgoing, and slightly playful people at work not only show their own happiness
but increase it in others. No boss wants to see employees who act like theyre grinding
away at a job that makes them miserable. If you can do your work, do it well and have
fun at the same time, you are a force that will definitely get noticed.

There are many simple things you can do to create more fun for yourself and others at
work without coming across as silly or juvenile. Find a few ideas that you think would
work in your office and start integrating them into the culture.

If the fun approach is too bold for you, simply focus on happy. Try to smile and keep
your tone upbeat, even when youre tackling big issues. Its not always easy, but it is
effective.

If you want to keep your career trajectory moving forward, you need those at the top
to notice you and the work that you do. Its not always about self-promotion (which is
not a bad thing either) as it is about getting noticed. Even great bosses may not find the
time to get to know every person working under her chain of command. Its up to you
to find simple ways to make sure that you stand out in great ways that make you
impossible to ignore. Once you have the bosss attention, then its up to you to do
fantastic work. These simple work tips can help you get the boss looking your way. The
rest is up to you.

Getting Noticed
Staying "Visible" at Work
Getting Noticed - Staying

Make sure that you're noticed at work.

Do you sometimes feel that your hard work is "invisible"?

Perhaps you do such good work on a regular basis that your manager takes you for
granted. Perhaps, because of this, you're no longer recognized and rewarded for your
efforts, as you once were.

In this article, we'll discuss strategies for getting noticed for the great work that you do.
This, in turn, will help you to continue moving towards your career goals.
Why Work on Getting Noticed?

You might be the hardest worker in your organization, and the one everyone wants on
their team but if you're not in people's thoughts, then you'll be passed up for new
projects, additional responsibilities, awards, and promotions.
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That's why you need to be visible at work!

Let's look at some strategies that you can use to get noticed in the workplace.
Developing Specialist Skills

Do you consider yourself a "generalist" someone who does many different things in
different roles or a "specialist" someone who is an expert in one or two specific
areas?

New businesses often hire generalists, because they can perform in so many different
roles. As organizations grow, however, specialists are often hired to focus on key areas.
This may leave the hard-working generalists feeling pushed aside and disempowered.

If you're a generalist, think strategically about what types of skills your organization
needs. Work on building these skills to become a specialist. The more knowledgeable
and skillful you become in a particular area, the more likely you are to be noticed for
your work.

Remember that organizations also tend to look for people with great "soft skills
" non-technical skills such as creative thinking, emotional intelligence, conflict
resolution, communication skills, flexibility, and coaching

. These are often as important as professional expertise.

If you're thinking about becoming a specialist in a certain area, don't forget to consider
these important soft skills. Helping your boss resolve a major conflict within your team
will get you noticed just as much as delivering a great presentation or sales report.
Building a Network

How can building a network of contactshelp you get noticed in front of the people who
matter?

You can learn another 193 career skills, like this, by joining the Mind Tools Club.
Join the Mind Tools Club Today!

Essentially, if you help people out when they need assistance, then people will help you
out too.

And if you take the time to build and nurture relationships with the people around you,
you'll build a network of "allies" who can help you get assigned to interesting,
significant, or eye-catching projects that might otherwise go to someone else. They
may also recommend you to other departments, which can open up opportunities that
might not have been available to you without their recommendations.

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Build a network of alliances within your department, with other departments, and with
the executive team or board. Try to get assigned to teams that involve a wide variety of
people. This can help you build your reputation, and make important friendships.

Also, build your network outside of office hours. Socializing with colleagues after work
often makes everyone feel more relaxed and open to new friendships.

Tracking Your Accomplishments

When you're working hard, it's easy to forget all of your achievements over the last six
to 12 months. This won't help when it's time for your performance review.

Keep track of all of your accomplishments within the organization. If clients or

colleagues give you compliments, write them down. If the compliment came in an
email, print it. If you exceeded last quarter's sales goals, get the paperwork that proves
it.

Put all of these great compliments and achievements in a file, and bring the file to your
performance review. This gives you hard evidence to prove to your boss what a great
job you're doing. Then, when it's time to ask for a pay raise or promotion, it may be
harder for your manager to say no.

Getting out of the Shadows

Sometimes, whether intentionally or unintentionally, your manager or colleagues may

present your ideas as their own.

However, if you want to get noticed, you must receive credit for your ideas.

If this happens to you, first find out if it's also happening to anyone else. Often, a
colleague or boss "borrows" ideas from several people, not just one. One way to
discover this is by simply watching other people's body language around this person.

If your colleague or manager is taking credit for only your work, but no one else's, then
document it every time it occurs. If practical, "watermark" your work whenever you
can (this is a feature in some word processing software packages). If the person claims
your ideas as their own in a meeting, gently but firmly correct the misstatement.
Taking on More Responsibilities

You can also get noticed by your manager and other executives by taking on more
responsibilities whenever possible.

This doesn't mean that you should overwork yourself! But if you see a new project or
role that will help you expand your skills, take advantage of it. Do this, particularly if it's
one that has high visibility within the organization, or has a significant impact on the
bottom line.
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This is particularly important with innovation and process improvement. Developing a
reputation as an innovator or creative thinker can be valuable. If you believe that you
have the ability to innovate and think of good ideas, then try to get assigned to projects
where these skills are valued.
Tip:

While you're doing this, make sure that you continue to do the core parts of your job
well. If you fail to do this, you'll get noticed but for all the wrong reasons!
More Tips on Getting Noticed

Here are a few more ideas for getting the people you work with to notice you:

Make sure you're visible Spend a few minutes every day greeting and talking with
your co-workers. A simple smile can help tremendously. Also, try to speak to colleagues
face-to-face from time to time, instead of sending emails or instant messages.

Praise others If you have a colleague who works as hard as you, then praise the
person in front of your manager. Be specific, and sincere, about what the person is
doing.

Stay updated on your industry Read trade newsletters or other relevant materials
that keep you up-to-date

on trends and technology. You never know when this information will be valuable.
Find a mentor Mentors can offer valuable advice and career coaching. The chances
are that the mentor has been through the same situations that you're experiencing,
and can help you navigate them successfully.

Get involved with your organization's charity events Volunteering for these
activities like running in a race or coaching a children's team can help you build your
network within the organization.

Key Points

People can often overlook your efforts, even if you consistently work hard. If this
happens to you, it's up to you to get noticed and stay in their thoughts, so you can keep
moving toward your career goals.

Become a specialist in areas that are important to your organization. Build a network of
allies, network inside and outside of work, track your accomplishments, and take on
additional responsibilities whenever possible.

Four Tips To Get Noticed by Your Boss

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Getting noticed by your boss can be a problem, especially if your personality style
preference is introverted. Some people feel it is a bosss to take notice, and yes, to
some degree, it is. In addition, some individuals may feel that tooting your own horn
is self-serving and for lack of a better word, non-virtuous or evil.

Confidence level plays a role as well in sharing accomplishments. Work environments

that push there is no I in team also may prevent employees from feeling
comfortable with sharing accomplishments. Therefore, it is important for employees to
figure out the best method based on these factors to get noticed.
Four Tips to Get Noticed by Your Boss

Create your own platform in your 1:1s with your manager, go in with your
agenda on paper. Take your own notes. Work with your manager using a specific
template that includes your projects, status updates, and use color-coded dashboard
measures. Collaborate with your boss to meet his/her goals. Share with your manager
opportunities for the company or work environment that you have noticed. Listen
carefully for opportunities from your manager. An open mind lets the opportunities in.

Be the problem solver Offer solutions. Depending on your boss, you may be able to
jump in and start brainstorming, you may energetically be able to say I have some
thoughts on how to or you may want to read your boss to determine how to best
communicate and share solutions. Some bosses may prefer a more measured approach
and prefer a structured time to hear solutions. Go with what you know about your
boss. Remember, he/she may try to do that with you.

Take the hard job There is a lot of stuff out there about using your strengths but
taking a hard job will stretch your skillsets. If you remotely think you can do the hard
job or task, you can envision yourself doing the hard job, and feel comfortable you can
reach out to resources, offer to take the hard job. Tell your boss at a high level how you
will do it, how it will help the organization or team for you to do and how it will help
you as well.

Ask for feedback Feedback is a gift. Ask for whats going well and what are
opportunities for improvement. Dont wait for your annual performance appraisal.

Most importantly, have a real relationship with your boss If you want to get noticed
by your boss, shut down the critical voice. Too many times employees believe their
boss is dumb or stupid. Once that seed is planted, it is very hard to move forward in a
positive manner. Bosses really are human too and lets face it, they have the leadership
role and got their position for some reason. Take time to find out how. Either they have
the skills, the influence, or both. Remember, you can learn something from even the
most inept boss.

5 Sneaky Ways To Get The Recognition You Deserve At Work

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Have you ever pitched a great idea, gave a flawless presentation, or helped a coworker
execute a difficult project and received no praise or recognition for your efforts?

This happens more often than anyone would like, says Cord Himelstein, vice
president of marketing for employee recognition firm Michael C. Fina. There can be
several reasons for it, such as overextended managers or a lack of a formal company-
wide recognition strategy."

But if you truly feel like you are being swept under the rug, and that recognition isnt
valued by your organization, then an honest conversation with your manager may be in
order.

The problem is, its very easy to come off as obnoxious or annoying when making a
direct plea for recognition you think you deserve, Himelstein says. Thats because
recognition is most effective if its sincere; if you have to put all that work into getting
someone to notice you, it kind of spoils the whole process, and it can be easily
interpreted as whining, especially in an organization where recognition isnt valued.
The least obnoxious thing you can do is to follow the Gandhi route and be the change
you wish to see.

Here are five ways to get the recognition you deserve without seeming like a braggart
and annoying coworkers:

Give informal recognition to others. Taking the time to sincerely recognize the efforts
of colleagues will not only contribute to a positive workplace culture, but it will
encourage others to have the same attitude, Himelstein says. Remember the golden
rule: Give others the recognition you think you would deserve.

Check in with your boss often. It's better to share information about your
accomplishments with your boss regularly than to save it all up for your annual
review, says Mary Ellen Slayter, a career expert at Monster.com. And when you do
update your supervisor on your accomplishments, keep it fact-based and make sure
you freely give credit to your colleagues, as well, she says.

Use your formal recognition tools. If you have a formal recognition system in place
(e.g. you can nominate an employee of the month), make sure you understand the
program rules and initiatives and participate in it, Himelstein says. Recognition is a
positive feedback loop. When you recognize someone, they will most likely return the
favor at some point so use the recognition programs reach to your advantage.

Share credit. Don't hog all the credit for group projects, Slayter says. Even if youre the
one who deserves all the recognition, make a point to praise others. They may follow
suit.

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Accept praise gracefully. When you are recognized, accept the compliment and say
thank you, Slayter says. Don't engage in long winded, faux-humble explanations about
why it wasn't really that great.

Underappreciated employees are in a moral dilemma. Do they eschew job security

and look for a more positive work environment, or do they double-down on their
current organization and try to improve their situation? Himelstein says. Both the
employees and the organization must be on the same page about the value of
recognition in the workplace before anything positive can occur. So while employees
should be asserting themselves when they feel underappreciated, their plight is most
likely systemic of a larger problem with the organizations attitude toward recognition,
which requires a bigger conversation about overall engagement strategy, he
concludes.

4 Reasons Great Leaders Get Overlooked

Despite all your best efforts, are you failing to get the recognition you think you
deserve? Here's what's going on.

There you are: battling away month after month in difficult surroundings, giving it your
all (or nearly your all), saving everyone else's hides, thinking so far outside the box that
the box is barely visible, delivering added value faster than a speeding train... basically,
you're laying waste to every leadership metaphor there is.

And yet, despite all your best efforts, you might as well be working down a coal mine
for all the recognition you get.

Ever felt that way?

Despairing that your obvious talents are going to waste--or at least are not being
recognized? Fearful that the time and effort you're putting in isn't yielding the
leadership recognition that you'd hoped for?

The good news is, you're not alone. I meet similarly frustrated leaders all the time. The
bad news is, you're not alone. Your first challenge is to distinguish yourself from them.

If it feels like your leadership efforts aren't resulting in the recognition you deserve, run
down this list of possible reasons. I guarantee it'll save you a lot of time, and will point
the best way out of your current dead end:

1. You're not as good as you think you are. Yep, it happens. Maybe you arrived at the
organization with an inflated sense of your own ability. Maybe your helicopter parents
convinced you that you can do no wrong. Maybe you've never really played in the big
leagues until now.

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Whatever the underlying cause (and there are many), by far the most common reason I
see leaders get frustrated by lack of recognition is that they're simply not as competent
at leadership as their self-image leads them to believe.

Here's the easiest way to test that this might be the case: Ask your boss what you need
to do to get a promotion.

If she gives you one or two specific, precise pieces of feedback, you're fine. If she looks
away, blushes, chokes or changes the subject, you're probably in this camp.

How do you fix it? Well, you could start by asking to undergo a 360 assessment. Make
sure that you chose a wide range of people as raters, including people you don't
naturally like or get on well with. Then find a mentor or coach to help you work with
the opportunities (we used to call them "weaknesses" until it become politically
incorrect to do so, but that's what they are, all the same) it throws up.

2. Your company doesn't value leadership skills. Let's assume you're not in the first
category and that you actually are a good leader. In that case there are only two
possibilities as to why you're not receiving the recognition you deserve.

The first possibility is that your organization quite simply doesn't value leadership, full
stop. You'll know if this is the case. You'll see it in a lack of innovation and creativity;
there'll be a lack of a challenge function at higher levels of leadership, and you'll
probably have noticed that good leaders don't hang around too long.

The solution? Get out. There's nowhere to go in an organization that doesn't value
leadership, and there's no point kidding yourself that the culture is going to someday
change. It won't.

3. What you've achieved doesn't align with your organization's goals. If you are in fact a
strong leader, but aren't receiving the recognition you deserve, the second possibility is
that what you're achieving doesn't align with the organization's core goals.

I see it regularly: A hot-shot executive knocks a couple of projects out of the park, then
wonders why no plaudits appear. The reason is usually that the projects in question
aren't central to the organization's core goals, and are therefore perceived only in the
C-suites peripheral vision, if at all?

The answer? Get closer to the core. Volunteer for projects that are plumb in the middle
of the organization's strategic interests. Ask for a transfer to a more central
department or division. Find ways to connect what you're doing to key functions in the
company. If you can't get transferred to the software division, or the warehouse, or the
manufacturing floor--wherever the pulse of your organization beats, at least connect
what you do to them, as much as possible.

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4. You're not actually leading. One final thought. Don't allow yourself the luxury of
thinking you're not getting the recognition you need because your boss is stealing all
your glory. Leaders don't get overshadowed, only managers do.

If someone is stealing your glory, it's precisely because you're not leading, you're
managing.

10 Ways To Get More Recognition At Work

Modesty, humility and hiding your light under a bushel are all very well if you're going
for sainthood, but if you're pulling out the best ideas in the boardroom and not getting
the right recognition at work for them, modesty and humility can go to hell. Not getting
the proper credit for your hard work can be a tricky issue; you may feel that pushing
for that extra award or shout-out in the next HR newsletter makes you look "pushy" or
"too aggressive," but damn it, be aggressive. If you put in the work, people should
know about it not just because it feels good to be noticed, but because it's likely to
lead to good performance valuations, promotions and general respect. You deserve
that sh*t.

There have been a lot of public conversations this past week about the importance of
women feeling free to be assertive at work and how we often pass on that in order
to be seen as "likable," non-confrontational, sweet and unthreatening, because that's
how society has trained us to behave. That doesn't sound like a good reason to keep
downplaying your accomplishments, right? And if that's not enough, Jennifer Lawrence
definitely wants you to get what you deserve, whether it's a pay rise, a public pat on
the back, equal pay, your name on the project head or just a casual thank-you in the
hallway. And you don't want to let her down, right? What you do and how much effort
you put into it does matter; you worked hard for this applause. So how do you get it?

If you're feeling shortchanged in the recognition department at work, here are ten
ways to make sure everybody knows exactly how big a deal your achievements are.

1. Figure Out What You Deserve

The idea of recognition is a broad one, so you should figure out exactly what kind of
recognition you want before you start figuring out what you need to do in order to
make it happen. What do you feel your work entitles you to? What are you not getting
that you wish were possible and what's standing in your way? If the issue is a
personality clash, it's going to be a lot trickier to figure out but if it's some kind of
communications issue where your boss isn't clear about what exactly you're
contributing at work, it may be a bit easier. Figure out your specific recognition goals
and work towards them, rather than working towards something more nebulous, like a
general sense of respect from your bosses.
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2. Small Fights Matter As Much As Big Ones
I work as a librettist for a composer. It's a wonderful but occasionally thankless job,
since producers and directors sometimes forget that the pretty rhyming words that the
cast sing don't magically appear out of thin air. And it's the small things that can rankle
me the most: not getting comped tickets for a performance of something I wrote, or
not getting my name in the program. Don't feel like you should "trade off" on tiny bits
of recognition and only focus on "bigger issues." Those small elements add up, and are
powerful symbols of how much your work matters. You don't have to sacrifice them in
order to go after the big stuff, too it's not an "either/or" proposition.

3. Be Clear With Senior Personnel About Your Role

One of the reasons you may be getting shafted could be that the people in charge of
giving out the gold stars don't know exactly what you do, or why it's important. This is
particularly crucial if you've got a very specialized role in your workplace that seems
mystifying to everybody else. That mystery breeds ignorance so if this is the case,
revise your job description with HR to be more accurate, and document everything that
you do, so you have evidence of just how whopping your contribution is.

4. Assume You'll Be Getting The Correct Recognition

I don't mean "swan around assuming that people will praise your every project and act
upset when they don't." Rather, I mean that when you're dealing with people from
whom you'd like more recognition, assume that they'll give it to you once you've
reminded them that they should. If you want to be recognized in an official document
but haven't been, for instance, email the relevant people, politely asking after your
inclusion. If they respond with "But why would we do that?", be prepared to justify
(also politely). No passive-aggressiveness; just positive assumption.

5. Model Yourself On A Mentor You Admire

Know somebody at work who seems to garner all the medals, special commendations
and other stuff you'd like to get on your way up the ladder? Watch to see how they do
it. If they're putting people down to get their own recognition or bullying others, stay
away but if you notice they're pushing themselves forward in a way that seems
positive and seriously effective, take notes. Their techniques may be a good way to
work inside your particular corporate structure.

6. Keep Everybody Up To Date On Your Projects

Don't just tell people the general focus of your job; make it clear what you do day-to-
day, too. If you're around the water cooler, find a user-friendly way to describe how
your work is contributing to the current project, and be prepared to talk about it.
Emails about progress? Make sure everybody is included. This can be tricky if you just
report to a direct superior and have to rely on them for wider recognition, but talking
to them about keeping higher-ups in the loop may be helpful, too.

7. Be Vocal (Even If Your Job Doesn't Usually Require You To Speak Up)

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Getting recognition for your work shouldn't just be reserved for people who have jobs
that include advocacy, standing in front of people making presentations, or generally
being people-facing even if your role doesn't involve these skills, your fight for
recognition should still be valid. Companies often focus on people with the most high-
profile positions, or people whose roles require them to frequently interact with the
public but you shouldn't be shy about coming forward to get your role noticed. Be
on deck when presentations involving your work are made, volunteer information
when questioned about it, and generally get involved in discussions about it if you
can contribute, you'll be remembered.

8. Make Getting Credit Part Of Your Negotiations

If a previous collaborator stiffed you where credit is concerned, make getting credit a
condition of your next work project or job, whether it's small or large. Get it in writing
if you can. This may be tough for you to negotiate if you're conflict-averse, but try to
get others on board to explain why this is a necessity for you. Sure, respect isn't quite
as important as money, but it's not exactly soul-enriching to be a silent partner without
consenting to it.

9. Enlist Others To Fight For You

Advocates on your team who are willing to speak up about the great work you do can
be really helpful, especially if you're feeling massively shortchanged. Your advocate can
be another member of your work team, a direct superior or even someone higher on
the totem pole at work, but it generally should be somebody with whom you have a
close working relationship, somebody who respects your skills and agrees with you
about what you deserve.

10. Ignore The Need To Be "Likable"

Being likable is not the same as being diplomatic. Being likable means couching
everything in a way that contains a get-out clause in case somebody disagrees or thinks
you're being "mean." Meanwhile, someone who is diplomatic can be ruthless, assertive
and absolutely ball-busting, while still being genuinely respectful. Make meetings to
argue for your position with this distinction in mind. Do not crawl back in your shell the
second somebody comes at you with interrogative questions about why you deserve
credit; be prepared with reasoned defense, evidence and a structured plan of attack.

And don't be above threats but make sure that they are reasonable, and follow up
on them. If your contributions are being seriously and repeatedly overlooked or
ignored, the threat of leaving may make the powers that be appreciate you a little
more but be careful playing that game, as they may tempt you into quitting on
purpose. Working in a place where you're repeatedly shown that you're not
appreciated is bad for the soul. If it's damaging your prospects and you can go
elsewhere, just do it.

11 Ways to Earn Respect at Work

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We seek respect in our professional lives. Gaining the respect of others in the
workplace is something many people want, but often have misguided ideas on how to
achieve this goal.

The following tips will provide valuable insight into the process of gaining and keeping
respect in the workplace.

1. Display self-confidence.

Show co-workers your passion for company goals and encourage others to do the
same. Maintain your individual identity by not allowing the job to consume you. Your
employer must realize that you choose to work for them. Do not let the fear of losing
your job hinder your performance.

Have a backup plan in place if you are ever laid off. Always have options. This will give
you the confidence and flexibility to be a visionary. Maintain a level of practically and
adjust goals as needed.

2. Strive to complete each task and assignment on time.

This will demonstrate to both your supervisors and subordinates that you are a
responsible person who keeps their word. This also helps others trust you and shows
your have a high level of accountability. If you are given a deadline that is
unreasonable, tactfully find a way to convey this information to the individual who set
the deadline.

3. Show humility.

Be willing to admit your flaws, but do not focus on them. You should have some self-
depreciation, but it should be paired with self-confidence. People generally will not
respect a leader who appears insecure and continuously mentions their shortcomings.

Show your human side but maintain a sense of bravado and self-assurance.

4. Have patience with others.

Realize that co-workers each have their individual levels of learning and adapt to new
tasks and job assignments accordingly. Praise others as they master each step of their
new assignments. Having patience with others will demonstrate you have confidence
in co-workers and believe they can expand their knowledge and skills. People are most
likely to respect those who treat well and will not fear approaching them with
problems or questions.

5. Respect co-workers even if you don't like them.

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Despite not always seeing eye-eye with co-workers, you still must show professional
respect to everyone you encounter during the course of the workday. Things change
rapidly in the corporate world. Someone who is your subordinate may someday
become your supervisor. Or a co-worker may join another company and become one
of your future clients.

6. Don't repeat workplace gossip.

While it may be tempting to listen and repeat the latest office gossip, doing so will give
the impression that you are not to be trusted with confidential information. It also
gives the impression that you enjoy discussing the misfortunes of others. That is not a
good way to earn respect.

7. Be inclusive.

Tell employees about changes in the organization and what impact it may have on all
involved. Encourage employees to ask questions and stay informed about what is
happening within the company. One simple way to accomplish is to publish an office
newsletter.

8. Workers enjoy being praised.

This enhances their confidence in their skills. It may encourage them to work harder
and learn new tasks and skills. If you must give criticism, combine it with praise for
what the employee does well. If something does go wrong, do not publicly blame
anyone else. If addressing a group, explain the problem and what steps are being taken
to prevent future occurrences.

9. Share knowledge with co-workers.

This action demonstrates that you have confidence in their abilities to handle new
situations and that you respect them enough to share this important information. As
you seek knowledge, you must also learn the value of communal learning.

This will help you form a team mentality in the workplace and include others in your
success. Respected people are seldom loners on the road to success. They include
others along their journey and make it known that everyone has a role in the success of
the company.

10. Be neat and organized.

An active workplace is indicative of a hard-working individual but a disorganized

workplace leaves the impression that you have no regard for the image of the
company. Your clothing should also reflect the idea that you value your professional
image. Dress each day as if you are going to ask for a raise.

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11. Always be professional, even at office parties.

The final word of advice to those who seek respect in the workplace is not to get drunk
at company social functions. Although an event may be held off company premises, it
is still a work-related event and it isnt be professional to act rudely or say something
inappropriate.

No More Mr. Nice Guy: How to Gain Respect From Your Co-workers

Theres at least one in every workplace. The nice employee who always treats
everyone with respect and kindness. Yet, this is often the person who also gets no
respect from co-workers nor does he or she get any true career satisfaction. In fact, so-
called nice employees are often those who get walked on by other less nice employees
and management. If youve found yourself in this position, then its time for a new
attitude and the respect you deserve.

Being nice at work is it really worth it?

Do You Know What You're Worth?

Its one thing to be well-regarded by peers; its another to become a doormat.

Oftentimes, employees who fall into this trap do so of their own accord. Generally, its
out of a need to be liked by others in the workplace. But over time, an employee who is
used to always saying yes and being sweet to everyone else becomes resentful of the
less than respectful behaviors of colleagues. Likewise, the employees supervisor may
not see leadership qualities in an employee who cannot stand up to others meaning
there are lost opportunities for career advancement.

R.E.S.P.E.C.T. find out what it means to me.

Its a basic human need to be part of a group, but its also a strong need to be
respected by peers. Being respected can create a sense of being needed and valued by
others. At work, being respected also means being heard, validated, and looked up to
as a skilled professional. While some think respect has to be earned, actually all
employees are worthy of respect from their co-workers, bosses, and even customers.
No one can be happy or productive when subjected to disrespect all the time at the
office. This is why niceness has to go!

Are you too nice?

Maybe you are not sure if you are being overly nice while at work. Theres a good
chance that simply by reading this article, either you or someone you know is used and
abused by co-workers.
Its time to ask yourself: Is your need to be nice is truly serving your goals in your
career, or making your life a living nightmare?

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If you are too nice, you may find yourself continually taking on tasks of others and
being afraid to say no for fear of rejection. You may feel underappreciated and that
your manager never recognizes the work you do. You may even make personal and
professional sacrifices just to make others happy. Being disrespected at work means no
one values your opinion or even asks you what you think.

How to stop being so nice and gaining respect at work.

In order to regain the respect you need in your job, you dont have to go to extremes.
Its a matter of transforming your attitude and your self-esteem. Here are some tips for
being overly nice and getting back the respect you ought to have at work.

#1 Respect Yourself First

If you want to get respect from others, you need to understand what it means to
practice self-respect. Take the time to create more work-life balance that includes
plenty of self-care and being nice to yourself. Stop the conflict between what you want
to do and what you are stuck doing at work for others. Learn to speak affirming words
over yourself.

#2 Demonstrate Respect and Assertiveness to Others

People learn by example. This means you will have to teach them all over again what
respecting you and others looks like. Start by demonstrating respect and assertiveness
to your manager, your co-workers, and your customers without all the sugary talk and
overtly nice behavior. Just be professional and direct.

#3 Learn to Say No Sometimes

Being nice is often caught up with being a pushover when it comes to work tasks. Try
this: next time a co-worker asks you to do one of their tasks, let them know that you
have a lot on your plate already and when you get your own tasks completed and IF
you have time, you can help. Otherwise, advise that there may be someone else who
can get to it sooner.

#4 Sometimes Less Becomes More

When it comes to dealing with difficult co-workers who try to walk all over you by
demanding you do things for them or show you little to no respect, its time to cut
them off. Never let anyone take advantage of your sunny personality by being rude,
obnoxious, or aggressive. Simply, hear them out, and then in a professional manner let
them know you no longer tolerate unprofessionalism around you and will only take on
tasks that relate to your job as assigned by your immediate supervisor.

As you put these methods into practice, you can expect to feel a certain degree of guilt
and worry for a little while. This is completely normal because you are learning new
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ways to handle things. Theres nothing wrong with being nice and being cordial
towards your colleagues, but there should always be limits to this. Take the time to
carefully weigh each and every situation you encounter at work and decide for yourself
if being too nice is hurting your chances of career success.

Tell Us What You Think

Do you get the respect you so deserve at work, why or why not? Talk to us on Twitter
and share your experiences!

42 Ways to Make Sure People Like Youand Respect You

We all want to be liked, yes. Butperhaps more importantly in the workplacewe all
want to be respected.

Respect is so important when it comes to your career development. It comes into play
when the higher-ups are considering your ideas, when theyre choosing people to
participate in projects, andyeswhen theyre thinking about whos getting
promotions or raises.

But too often people associate earning respect with, well, not being very nice. Were
here to tell you thats not often the right approach. Instead, try some of the ways
below that you can make sure your colleagues like and respect you. Youll be on your
way to being seen as a leader in no time.

1. Do Your Job and Do It Well

The most basic way to get respect? Dont spend your time worrying about getting
respect, and instead spend that time doing your job really, really well. Get a reputation
for being really good at what you do, and word will surely get around. As career expert
Jennifer Winter explains, Its hard to ignore results, and when youre striving for the
respect of your colleagues, one of the best things you can do is show youve got the
right stuff.

2. Never Be Late or Miss a Deadline

Along similar lines, get a reputation for being incredibly dependable. That means, any
promise you makebe it a date to finish a project, an appointment, or anything else
you keep.

3. Dress Up (the Right Amount)

You know the whole dress for the job you want spiel? While, yes, you should dress a
little nicer than youre expected to, dont dress up so much that you look out of place

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or like you dont fit into the culture. So if your company has a casual dress code? Avoid
the sweats, but avoid the suit, too.

4. Treat Everyone With Respect

In order to get respect, you have to give itand not just to the higher-ups. People will
pick up if youre nice to the bosses but mean to the receptionist or delivery guy, and
think youre a brown-noser rather than a genuinely good person. Aim for the latter.

5. Make Friends With the Right People

Seek out relationships with others in your organization who are well-respected and
well-liked. And were not just talking about higher-ups herethink anyone who has a
great reputation around the office.

6. Be a Connector

Know someone at another company who may be able to help with a problem a co-
worker is facing, a friend who may be a great sales lead, or anyone else who you think
could move the company forward? Introduce them! Doing this shows off that you have
an impressive networkbut also that youre willing to share it in order to help others.

7. Invite People Along

If you got an invite to a snazzy event or are planning on networking after work one day,
consider inviting along someone from work who you think might enjoy it. Shell be
thrilled you thought of her, and youll get a chance to get to know one of your
colleagues a little better.

8. Use I Less

Studies have shown that people tend to use the word I more frequently when
communicating with people they feel are more powerful than them. Want to level the
playing field? Monitor your use of I. The people youre speaking with will view you as
more powerful without ever knowing why.

9. Ask for Help

While many people may think asking for help hints that you dont know what youre
doingearning you less respectit can actually work in your favor in several ways (if
done right). First, it shows the person youre asking that you respect his or her opinion.
Second, it will show that youre productive enough not to waste tons of time trying to
figure it out yourself. Finally, it shows that you care about your work (and your
professional growth) enough to admit when you dont know somethingand then
learn from it. For more on how to do this right, check out Winters advice.

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10. Take Something Off a Colleagues Plate

Have a little extra time? Ask your boss or another colleague if theres anything you can
help out with or take over for them. Theyll appreciate the lighter load, and your
proactive willingness to help will not go unnoticed.

11. ListenReally Listen

Nothing will make people lose respect for you quicker than if they feel like your focus is
always somewhere else when theyre talking to you. So next time youre in a
conversation, make sure youre really engaged. Adopt open body language, dont let
other things distract you, and ask validating or clarifying questions to show youre
paying attention. For more on upping your listening skills, check out career coach Lea
McLeods advice.

12. Ask People How Are You?

Being all business all the time wont make you very well liked. So take the time to ask
people about their lives as well! Youd be amazed how good a simple How are you?
can make someone feel.
13. Remember Things About People

Taking note of small details about peopletheir spouse and kids names, what theyre
doing over the weekend, their hobbies, where theyre planning to vacation, and the
likeand then asking them questions about those things or referencing them in
conversation can be a surefire way to up your brownie points. It shows that you really
listed, took the time to remember, and overall care about them as people. Have a
terrible memory? Try Muse COO and productivity expert Alex Cavoulacos trick for
remembering anything about anyone.

14. Own Up to Your Mistakes

Explains Winter: I know, it sounds a bit counterintuitive, given you want your clients
to think youre a genius, but trust me: They know nobody is perfect. In fact, your clients
will probably get a bit suspicious if you never, ever, make a single mistake. Admitting
when you do, however, shows them youre confident (and humble) enough to face the
music. In my experience, thats a trait most people respect. (Hint: This applies to your
boss and co-workers, too!)

15. ...And Then Explain How Youre Going to Fix Them

That being said, simply saying you messed up and then not doing anything about it isnt
going to garner you much respect. Instead, when you fess up, make sure to come with
a plan for how youre going to fix things. And if youre not sure what to do? Try to at
least come up with a few options and then ask the person youre talking to for his or
her thoughts on the best course of action (see point #9).
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16. Seek Out Feedback

Show that you know youre not perfect and are constantly looking to improve and
grow yourself by regularly seeking out feedback from everyone around you. And this
isnt just something for your annual performance review: Try setting up monthly
meetings with your boss, team members, and even direct reports where you can solicit
open and honest feedback from them about what you can be doing better.

17. Give Feedback, Too!

It doesnt hurt to dole out some feedback from time to time, too. Obviously, you dont
want to become the office critic, but giving colleagues the occasional dose of
constructive criticism shows that youre committed to helping everyone around you
grow and be the best professionals they can be. Here are a few tips on how to give this
advice without seeming like a jerk.

18. Never Say Its Not My Job

Notice the trash is overflowing? Take it out. See your colleague struggling to carry all
the stuff for the conference booth? Grab a bag. Showing that youre willing to pitch in
on small thingseven if theyre not part of your job description and may be beneath
your capabilitiesshows that you dont think too highly of yourself and that youre
willing to do whatever it takes to help the company succeed. And thats something that
people can respect.

19. Anticipate Needs

Ive actually already started on that is music to your managers ears, explains Muse
career expert Katie Douthwaite, It means that instead of waiting for him or her to ask
you to do something, youve already thought of it and taken action. You obviously
cant anticipate everything, but thinking of things your boss commonly asks for or that
will make his or her life way easier is a good place to start.

20. Do Small Nice Things for People

Whether its grabbing an extra coffee on your way to work for your boss (or your
intern!) or getting some flowers for your colleagues desk when you know shes had a
rough day, small gestures like this can speak wonders to your character.

21. Say No More Often

Really! While you may think jumping at every opportunity is the way to gain more
respect, the opposite is actually more often trueespecially when you dont have time
to do what youre being asked to do right. When you become known for having the
guts to speak your mind, put a stake in the ground for the sake of everyones success
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and find better ways to navigate the rough waters, youll land as a person people
respect, a leader, explain leadership trainers Nancy Vonk and Janet Kestin. So when
you dont have time, show that you respect your time and the quality of your work too
much to agree. Other people will follow suit. Nervous to say it? Try these strategies for
turning people down nicely.

22. Have an Opinion

Agreeing with everything everybody says wont make people think of you as a leader.
Instead, have a well-thought-out opinion on things, and dont be afraid to bring it to
the table. Whether its an idea about a new product or service or a thought on how a
process can work better, people will appreciate you thinking of ways to help the
organization improve.

23. Respect Other Viewpoints

Caveat: Dont dig your heels in the ground too much when it comes to your ideas.
Instead, consider other peoples viewpoints, too, and be willing to compromise and
work together to reach a solution that works for as many people as possible.

24. Speak Up

Nothing shows lack of confidence in yourself like mumbling. So speak up! PR

professional Ashley Colbert explains, To be taken seriously in a meeting, speak clearly,
firmly, and loudly enough so that people can hear you. And avoid trailing off at the end
of a sentence or using fluffy language like I hope to have this done or I think it will get
results.

25. Avoid the Gossip Mill

If youre known for regularly putting down other people, people will start thinking
down on you. So dont waste your time speculating about the lives of others. Instead,
spend your time by the water cooler genuinely getting to know your colleaguesyoull
still be involved in the social side of the office, without tarnishing your reputation.

26. Never Waste Anyones Time

Get more respect by showing people you respect their valuable time. What does this
mean? Dont ask questions you can answer yourself, dont plan meetings that you
dont need, and dont take forever getting back to people. You get the idea.

27. Make Your Meetings Worthwhile

People are pretty skeptical of meetings, and so will likely think less of you if they think
your meetings are a waste of time. Make sure youre following the 21 unwritten rules
of meetings to have meetings that people seriously find valuable.
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28. Figure it Out Yourself

Instead of always running to your boss for help when faced with a problem, do
everything you can to figure it out yourself. Even if you ultimately need approval
before moving forward with a solution, its better to come to your manager with a plan
for him or her to give an OK to than to come asking what should we do?

29. Never Say I Dont Know

At least, not on its own. Simply saying I dont know leaves the person asking you a
question at a dead end and doesnt make you seem very willing to help. Instead, offer
to help figure it out, get more information, or direct him or her to the right person to
help out. See leadership coach Jo Millers suggestions for better responses when youre
really not sure.

30. Become a Stellar Public Speaker

Learning to speak well will gain you respect in many ways. First, youll have the ability
to present more confidently in meetings. Second, youll be comfortable speaking at
industry events, giving you credit as a leader in your field. But finally, all this practice
and training will give you a more powerful speaking presence even in day-to-day
conversations.
31. Work on Communicating Both Warmth and Authority

Body language expert Amy Cuddy explains: When we judge othersespecially our
leaderswe look first at two characteristics: how lovable they are (their warmth,
communion, or trustworthiness) and how fearsome they are (their strength, agency, or
competence). This is a fine line to balance, but Miller has some ideas for how to do it.

32. Have Clear Work-Life Boundaries

People are likely to connect with you more if you understand the importance of not
working all the time. So set clear work-life boundariesand then stick to them!
Whether its that you never check email on the weekends or you leave work by 6 to eat
dinner with your family, if youre upfront about your boundaries, people should
respect themand you.

33. Dont Leave Right at 5 PM

That being said, dont jet out of the office every day when the clock strikes five,
especially if theres work that really needs to get done. Have boundaries, but show that
youre willing to pull extra weight when its really important.

34. Learn Your Colleagues Working Preferencesand Follow Them

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Have a chat with the people you work most closely with about how they work best,
and find ways to help them achieve that. Maybe one prefers conversations to emails
and will appreciate you coming over to her desk rather than sending a lengthy
message. Maybe another needs quiet working time in the morning and will notice if
you stop scheduling meetings during that time.

35. Be a Teacher

When a teammate or direct report is having trouble or does something wrong, instead
of getting angry, get helpful. Walk him or her through how to do it. Youll get better
employees, and theyll respect you for helping them grow.

36. Be a Mentor

Take junior employees under your wingeven if they dont report to youand help
advise them on everything from company politics to career growth. Not only will the
employees youre advising gain more respect for you, but others will notice the
gesture, too.

37. Help Out Newbies

When someone new joins the company, make sure to say hello and let him know
youre there if he has any questions or needs helpeven if hes not in your
department. People all over the company will start seeing you as a leader in the
company from day one.

38. Champion Your Employees

Have direct reports youre proud of? Understand their goalsand do whats in your
power to help them achieve them! Whether thats setting up a meeting with your boss
because you know they want to grow at the company or helping them find
opportunities to grow important skills, look for ways to help them succeed.

39. Manage Upward

By simply waiting around to be told what to do by your higher-ups, you seem like a
followernot a respectable leader. Instead, learn to tell your boss what you need to
get your job done well. Youll improve your performance and command your boss
respect. Check out some tips for learning this elusive skill here.

40. Dont Complain

Are you tired after a long day, and still have more to do? Are you sick of one menial
task you seem to be stuck with? Never whine about it, at least not in the workplace.
Having a positive attitude about your work is critical to making other people think

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highly of you. And if you really have a problem with something? See if you can come up
with a proactive way to solve it.

41. Get Out in the World

People will hold you in higher regard if you dont just do your job in a vacuum. So make
sure to stay up with the latest and greatest in your industry. Go to events and
conferences, and report back on what you learned. Get meetings with experts, and
maybe even bring them in to talk to your team. Read relevant articles and share them
around to help others.

42. Question Yourself

Great leaders are good at self-reflection. Check on yourself regularly with questions
like these and always be looking for ways to be better.

Wiki: How to Get Respect at Work

Being respected at work isn't just a matter of making the day go by easier. In today's
world it can mean that next promotion, landing a project or the big raise you were
looking for!

1. Respect others. Show your coworkers that they matter. Respect the authority of
your bosses and treat underlings well.
2. Do your job and do it well. Don't make anyone carry your workload, be on time and
offer to help coworkers when possible. If you do not understand something or cannot
handle a task do not be afraid to seek help or partner up with a coworker.

3. Have dignity. It's great to help out others but don't let yourself be the office
pushover either. Don't do everyone's work for them. Tell the boss, "I can take one for
the team this time" which lets her know that you are willing to pitch in but you are
nobody's fool.

4. Be discreet. Nobody respects a gossip. And nobody wants to have to watch what
they say around you because you'll go blabbering all over the office. Respect people's
confidence in you.

5. Look good. Shower as often as is needed(at least daily) wear freshly laundered
clothing, get them pressed if necessary. Ladies should wear a reasonable amount of
makeup-nothing heavy or better suited for a night at a club(unless you work at a club).
Keep jewelry tasteful and appropriate for your occupation. Hair should be neat, clean
and should not get in the way of doing your job.

6. Be confident. Stand up straight, hold your chin up, make eye contact, use a firm
handshake and SMILE!
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7. Make others feel good about you. Greeting each person by name shows that they
matter to you. Everyone wants to feel important and be heard. Make a random honest
compliment to someone you work with. Do this every day to a different person.

8. Be a person of your word. Keeping your word is one of the biggest things you can do
to gain respect. And in doing so you make a good reputation.

9. Behave in a way that allows people to respect you. If your coworkers at the law
office see your drunken pass out pics on Facebook it's probably a good bet that they
will lose respect for you.

10. Keep your cool. Be unflappable. Do not let jerk bosses or rude coworkers cause you
to be overly emotional or verbal. Nearly every job has one so bite your tongue, don't
get involved with office drama or infighting and always take the high road. When all of
the silliness has died down you will be remembered as the one with class.

11. Give proper credit. When working with others always be sure to give others their
due credit. Don't hog all of the kudos, let others bask in the glory of accomplishment
with you.

12. Do not ever bad mouth people at work. You and your coworker may have a
chuckles at your dorky boss but when your coworker needs that raise or gets mad at
you he may repeat everything you said. Don't give anyone any fuel to make a fire.

10 Small Ways to Gain Respect as a Leader

It's the little things that mean a lot when it comes to leadership.

Respect is not something handed to you when you take on a new leadership role. It is
an essential leadership quality that you must build over time. Unfortunately, there is
no step-by-step method for gaining respect in a leadership role. Several major areas
require your attention, but many leaders overlook small gestures that get big reactions
from staff members.

You hear the phrase "Don't sweat the small stuff" in stress-control seminars. But when
it comes to respect, you absolutely must sweat the small stuff. Here are 10 small things
you can do daily to gain the respect of your staff.

1. Maintain a Positive Attitude

People rarely respect negative leaders. Instead, they typically ridicule them behind
their backs. Negativity sends the message that you're bitter or mean; it develops fear,
not respect.
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2. Be Available to Employees

Don't just have an open-door policy; make time to talk with employees and ask their
opinions. Employees want to think they have the boss's ear and can come to you when
they have issues.

3. Offer to Help a Staff Member

No matter how busy you are, when you walk through your work area and notice an
employee who needs assistance, offer some. Step in and get your hands dirty. It won't
go unnoticed.

4. Tell Staff What to Do, Not How to Do It

Effective delegation is an important part of becoming a good leader. Understand that

employees are looking to develop their skills, so when you delegate, give them an
important task to accomplish. Then stand back and let them figure out how to do it.
When you tell employees how to do the task, they feel mistrusted and perhaps
worthless. It is difficult to trust a leader who can't let go.

5. Value Differences

Don't hire people just like you. Bring in a qualified staff and show you value everyone's
differences by asking for input and encouraging everyone to work together as a team.

6. Listen Actively

When employees talk with you, show interest and enthusiasm for their thoughts. Lean
forward, share acknowledgment and paraphrase back to them what you heard them
say. When you actively listen, you are not thinking about what you will say next. Be
with them in the moment.

7. Laugh and Have Some Fun Occasionally

Don't take everything so seriously that you can't laugh on occasion. When pressure is
high and the things need to get done, a little levity can make the work much more
enjoyable. When you laugh, it also shows you are human, and that goes a long way
with employees.

8. Share Compliments

Compliment your staff on a job well done. Make sure the compliment is sincere and
personal. It is always best to share a compliment when the act is fresh. After or even
during a good presentation, giving an OK or thumbs-up sign will make your employee's
day.
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9. Know What You Want

It is difficult to respect someone who is not sure what he wants. If you manage a
production line, is your goal to meet or beat the schedule or to get the product out
under cost? The goal is not nearly as important as knowing what it is.

10. Be Congruent at All Times

Are what you say and what you do the same? It's amazing in corporate America how
many leaders send mixed messages. For instance, consider the manager who says he
wants ideas from his staff and then proceeds to put down every idea brought to him.

Without respect, it could be difficult for you to accomplish your job. Marilyn Johnson,
owner of a small computer company in Indianapolis, shares her quest for respect: "I
was so enthusiastic when I started my company that I tried to do everything for
everyone. I spent all day telling my employees how to do their jobs. After two years,
my employees started leaving in droves. One man told me he just didn't respect a
leader who couldn't let go."

12 Effective Ways To Gain Respect In The Workplace

1. Demonstrate your worth and value as an employee.

The process of gaining respect from both colleagues and superiors begins from the
moment you first enter the workplace, and you must immediately demonstrate an
understanding of your worth and unique value as an employee. This must not only be
reflected in the salary that you demand from your managers, but also in the way that
you undertake your role and add value to the business through the completion of
individual tasks that fall within your job description.
Advertising

2. Interact with your colleagues and care about their lives.

Even with the best of intentions, our lives can sometimes take an unwanted or
potentially disruptive turn. This can make it difficult to attend work with a smile and a
proactive attitude, but this is crucial if you want to retain the respect of those around
you. By continuing to interact with your colleagues and taking a genuine interest in
their liveseven during times of hardshipyou are displaying an eminently human
quality that commands the good will of others.

3. Speak calmly and listen to others.

Respect must always be a mutual concept, as you cannot hope to gain it without
offering it in the first instance. It is therefore crucial that you remain a good listener at
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all times, and take the opinions of others on board before taking a direct action or
decision. On a similar note, you must always speak calmly when interacting with both
colleagues and superiors, as otherwise you run the risk of alienating them and
developing a reputation as someone who is difficult to work with.

4. Always smile during times of triumph.

While the world of work can be challenging, this should not detract from those
occasions where you achieve a goal or successfully complete a project. It is important
to celebrate these moments, both as an individual and as part of a larger team. A warm
and positive smile serves to underline a job well done. This will help to foster greater
levels of morale over time, while it will also cement your position as a popular and
well-respected employee.

5. Deal with adversity in a similar manner.

Just as professional sportsmen are tested more in defeat than they are in victory, so
too the average employee must dig deeper during adversity than in times of
prosperity. You must treat both of these entities with a positive and proactive attitude,
and maintain your smile even during challenging and difficult times. Your ability to
maintain a focused and level head will only boost the esteem in which you are held;
this is also a key attribute to have in the business world.

6. Go above and beyond the call of duty.

Whenever you start a job, you are given a basic salary and a job description that
outlines the tasks under your control. As you develop relationships with those around
you and earn greater levels of responsibility, however, you must be willing to operate
outside of these boundaries and do more than is expected of you. Whether this is
covering for an unforeseen absence or completing a project within a specified
deadline, your willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty will ensure that you
remain well-respected among your peers.

7. Make collaboration a key aspect of your work life.

On a similar note, there may also be instances where it is necessary to work on a

collaborative project with different colleagues and departments. This can be
challenging, especially if you are unfamiliar with their working methods or prefer to
operate on an independent basis. Earning universal respect requires you to
communicate with people across multiple levels, regardless of status or pre-existing
relationship. With this in mind, you must always be open to collaboration and strive to
work effectively with any kind of team.

8. Establish boundaries and understand your limits.

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Achieving respect in the workplace is a delicate balancing act, as while you must be
willing to take on additional work and collaborate, it is also important that you
prioritize your own professional goals. You must strive to understand your limits and
establish boundaries as an employee, as this ensures that your position is never
compromised by taking on too heavy a workload. If you fail to do this, you will quickly
find yourself overwhelmed and at the mercy of more selfish and manipulative
colleagues.

9. Practice the virtue of patience.

Professional respect relies on your ability to showcase both compassion and

understanding, as you must make the most of your colleagues strengths while also
making allowances for their weaknesses. Everyone brings a unique skill-set to the
workplace, while each individual also works at his or her own pace. It is crucial that you
are patient when dealing with colleagues and superiors, as this enables you to become
a productive and respected member of a multi-layered organization.

10. Avoid the perils of office gossip.

While office gossip can occasionally be fun and even insightful, it must be avoided at all
costs if you are to be respected as a trustworthy and conscientious employee. Not only
does a willingness to engage in gossip suggest that you are incapable of discreetly
managing potentially sensitive information, but it also creates the impression of
someone who has a less than dedicated approach to their work. Neither of these
attributes are likely to inspire respect within the workplace, especially if you are based
in a relatively small office where behavior can be easily analyzed.

11. Deal with conflict in a proactive and mature manner.

Rather like gossip, conflict is an inevitable and yet unpleasant aspect of any busy
workplace. While the former can be avoided, the latter cannot and it is how you handle
professional conflict that determines whether or not you are likely to earn the respect
of your colleagues. By adopting a proactive approach and confronting such conflict in a
mature manner, for example, you can achieve an amicable resolution and easily earn
the respect of those around you. This is crucial; it can also help to strengthen
professional relationships over time.

12. Become a problem solver.

As I touched on earlier, professional respect can also be achieved simply by adding

unique value to the workplace. While you can do this by undertaking your role
tenaciously and effectively, it is also possible to become a talented problem solver with
skills in analytical thinking, strategizing, and negotiation. Every workplace needs a
proactive problem solver, so by taking on the mantle and fulfilling this need you can
gain newfound respect among your colleagues.

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8 Ways to Gain Respect from Your Coworkers

Some people just walk into a room, and every eye and ear are immediately tuned into
them. Is it magic? Doubtful. In reality, that person has worked hard over the years to
gain the respect of the people who work around him. You can gain respect as well.
Here are eight secrets about how to become respected at work.
Follow the Rules

Sure, on television, it's always the rogue cop or the office worker who pushes the limits
that win the rewards and praise.

In real life, it's the person who does what they are supposed to do. This is especially
important if you're the boss.

The boss who slacks off, comes in late, leaves early and spends more time shopping
online than working won't engender respect. While the effect of rule following isn't as
strong among peers, it still plays a critical role. People don't respect people who don't
respect the rules.
Work Hard

This is one area where the television shows get it right - that cop may break all of the
rules, but he certainly puts in the hours. Now, working hard doesn't mean you need to
work 80 hours a week, but it does mean that you need to work when you're supposed
to work.

If you're an exempt employee, you'll probably need to put in a bit more time than the
office norm. If you're a non-exempt employee, make sure that you clear all overtime
with your boss before working it. You don't get respect by working off the clock or by
surprising your boss with your time card.
Talk Less, Listen More

You may think that the person with the most respect is the one standing at the head of
the conference table giving the presentation, but that's not always the case. If you feel
as if you always need to talk, you're not likely the most respected person in the room.

People gain respect by actually listening to the ideas of others.

This doesn't mean that you can't share your ideas, but it does mean that you need to
pay attention to what others are saying.

Remember, you were hired to do your job, and other employees were hired to do
theirs. That may seem like a super basic statement, but, in practical terms, it means
that other people are experts on tasks outside of your expertise. So, listen to what they
have to say about their area of expertise.

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Recognize that, in listening to your coworkers, you treat them with respect. This
respect engenders respect for you and what you have to say.
Assume the Best

When the accounts payable person tells you that it will take three days to get the
supplier's check cut, don't assume that it's because she's lazy. She may be lazy, but she
probably also needs to follow required processes and procedures that restrict her
ability to respond to your timeliness requirements.

Just because you don't understand why or when something happens doesn't mean that
a valid reason doesn't exist.
Apologize and Admit Mistakes

You're not perfect. No one is. You will make mistakes. If you want respect, you need to
admit your mistakes. Practice this statement, I'm sorry. What can I do to fix it?

The last part is critical in many situations - otherwise, the apology is just an empty
statement.

If you're the boss, you take the blame for the team's failures as well as your own. If
you're an individual contributor, you need to take the blame for your own missteps. A
mistake isn't a career ender. Not admitting a mistake can be.
Take Criticism and Learn from It, Too

Having people respect you isn't dependent on people thinking that you're right all of
the time. It's about people trusting you and appreciating what you have to say. Just like
you need to take your lumps when you make a mistake, you need to listen to what
people have to say about you.

Your boss thinks your marketing plan stinks? Well, ask her why and carefully consider
what she has to say. Your direct report thinks that your marketing plan stinks? Well,
ask her why and carefully consider what she has to say.

Those last two lines weren't an accidental repeat of the preceding lines.

Whether the criticism comes from above or below you must carefully consider what
the person had to say. Go ahead and ask questions. They may be right. They may be
dead wrong, but you won't know unless you consider it.
Stand up for Yourself

The above is not a suggestion to let people walk all over you. You can carefully consider
criticism and say, Jane, I heard what you said about the marketing plan not hitting the
right target, but I disagree. I believe that the market research shows that blah, blah,
blah.

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If someone criticizes your personal appearance, family status, race, gender, whatever,
you can certainly call them on it. I'm sorry, the fact that I look young has what to do
with this? Standing up for yourself is critical to earning respect from coworkers and
bosses.

On the other side, though, don't go looking for offense where no offense is intended. If
you get upset about every little comment anyone makes, you'll look like a whiner.
Some things, you just need to let them go.
Help Others Succeed

Think about who you respect the most. Is it someone who pushed people under the
bus right and left on her way to the top? Probably not. (And if it is, consider therapy.)
Instead, you undoubtedly respect someone who was kind and helpful.

So, if you want others to respect you, try doing the same. Take time to mentor. Don't
get angry when your direct reports, peers, or bosses make mistakes. Just help them get
the job done and done right. When you lift up those around you, you all rise together.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T: How To Earn Respect At Work

Someone I was coaching recently wrote in their development plan that one of their
goals was to earn the respect of more people at work. I thought that was an
interesting goal and asked her to tell me more about her comment. She said, I just
dont feel like people respect me so I want to earn more respect. When I asked her
specifically what behaviors she thought she needed to exhibit in order to earn respect,
there was a long pause and she gave me a blank stare.

Youd be surprised how many times I go through this same respect discussion. So
heres the dealrespect is something you have to earn its not something handed out
free on a silver platter. If you want to earn respect then you need to ask yourself this
question, How can I change my behavior to earn more respect from others?

Here are some of my personal suggestions for earning respect:

Use active listening skills really listen and hear what people are saying.
Treat others with dignity and courtesy at all times.
Keep all your commitments and never make a commitment you cant keep.
Be patient with people; realize that most people want to do whats right.
Treat others as they would like to be treated; in other words, learn to flex your social
style so you can work better with others.
Dont state your opinions unless you can back them up with data. And be sure you
fully understand the situation before you comment on it.
Be sincere.
Be generous.
Be humble.
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 Be confident, but exhibit confidence without arrogance.

Sometimes I think we speed through life so quickly that we dont take enough time to
really hear other people. To do so takes the ability to be patient, generous with your
time, and sincerely care about others. These are all behaviors that will lead to earning
more respect from co-workers.

Now its your turn. What do you believe are behaviors that help earn respect at work?
Share your thoughts with other readers in the Comments section below.

~ Lisa Quast

5 Ways Leaders Earn Respect From Their Employees

As the workplace evolves to become more trustworthy, transparent, ethical,

collaborative and mindful of its employee needs leaders must be equally diligent to
earn respect from their colleagues. Being the leader doesnt mean that you have
earned respect. Too many leaders take their titles and authority for granted. Some
leaders believe that they are owed and/or command some level of (unearned) respect
just because of where they are positioned on the organizational chart. Todays
workplace highly influenced by millennials and embedded with people that have
trouble trusting others requires proof of performance before respect is earned. As
such, leaders must reset their state of mind and become more responsible with their
actions and accountable for the effect their influence has on their employees and the
organization as a whole.

Leaders must become more engaged by rolling-up their sleeves and getting their
hands dirty, rather than expecting others to always do it for them. Leaders need to
become more mindful of how they are leading others and how they are being
perceived as they sit in the corner office. Leaders need to focus on earning respect
from others every day and stop making the same bad decisions.
Ive never been impressed by titles, though I have always been respectful of ones
position of authority and responsibility. This doesnt mean that I necessarily respect
the person behind the title. Respect, trust and loyalty are earned over time.
Ultimately, it has been the quality, consistency and presence of ones character that I
have always paid most attention to. In other words, does the leader talk a good game
or do they have the ability to put their words into action that impacts others in a
positive way? Do they play the part or do they define the part they play as a leader for
the betterment of a healthier whole and the organization they serve?

When you think of great leaders who are honored and respected, they werent always
necessarily well-liked. But they were respected for how they led and made those
around them better. Over time this earned respect defined their legacy in a positive
manner and secured their place in history (e.g. Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton in
politics; Steve Jobs and Jack Welch in business).
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Todays uncertain workplace requires leaders to pay close attention to others. Leaders
must be active and attentive listeners, practice patience, appreciate the unique talents
and capabilities of their colleagues, and be noticeably grateful for the effort and
performance of their teams. People are carefully observing their leaders, looking for
reasons not to trust them (because they have been burned so many times in the past),
but ultimately wanting their leaders to be worthy of their respect and loyalty.
Unfortunately, leaders often make this task difficult as many of them are not naturally
wired to lead, or emotionally intelligent enough to be aware of the consequences of
their insensitive leadership style and demeanor.

To help you achieve sustainable success as a leader who puts people first, here are five
ways to earn respect from your employees:

1. Consistently Strong Work Ethic; Set The Standard

Actions are stronger than words, and this is personified by the respected leader. Great
leaders despise false promises and people that create lots of unnecessary noise to get
attention. There are many leaders that play the part on the outside, but have very little
substance on the inside. Respected leaders are those who consistently prove through
their work ethic that they are reliable and trustworthy on the inside and out.
These leaders set the tone and are great role models. The tangible and measureable
results of their consistent work ethic influence new best practices and cultivate
innovation. Ultimately, their leadership defines the performance culture for the
organization. They set the standard and leave behind an indelible impact.

2. Not Afraid to Take Risks; Admit Wrong Doing

Respected leaders are those who are not afraid to take risks. They are bold enough to
change the conversation and seamlessly challenge the status quo for the betterment of
the organization and their competitive advantage. They can anticipate when a
paradigm shift is in order and are courageous enough to act on it.
The other side of this admirable quality is the ability to admit wrong doing. Respected
leaders do not hesitate to make the most difficult decisions and will put themselves out
on the frontline to lead by example. They gravitate towards what many view as a leap
of faith and willingly accept the challenge knowing very well that the odds may not
be in their favor given the personalities and inherent obstacles that surround them.

3. Sponsor High-Potential Employees; Serve Others Rightly

Respected leaders think about making others better. They dont leach, they lead. They
are mindful of those that give a 100% effort to their responsibilities. Respected leaders
find ways to discover the best in people and enable their full potential. When they
detect high-potential talent they impart upon them their wisdom and provide a path
for long-term success.

Leaders that sponsor their employees put their own reputation at risk for the
betterment of the individuals they are serving. This is an admirable quality and one
that is highly respected amongst a leaders peers. For example, my career was shaped
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and defined by one of my bosses in the early stages of my professional development.
He witnessed my raw talent and saw that it needed refinement. He wasnt afraid to
take risks and exposed me to environments in the workplace that were too advanced
for my experience to-date.

This challenged me to make decisions, and tested my ability to think and use my
instincts. He lifted me up and guided me rightly each time I failed along the way. My
boss taught me all of his tricks and trusted me to use them in ways that represented
my personality, natural style and approach. Others noticed and didnt always think that
I was worthy of his sponsorship but in the end I proved the doubters wrong and
eventually became their supervisor.

My boss earned a lot of respect from the organization and other leaders began to
model his sponsorship approach. Five years later, I became the youngest senior
executive in the companys 100+ year history.

4. Powerful Executive Presence; Long-Lasting Impact

The most respected leaders are the most authentic people. Their executive presence is
genuine and true. They make those around them feel that they matter and they
welcome constructive dialogue regardless of hierarchy or rank. Respected leaders trust
themselves enough to live their personal brand and serve as powerful role models to
others. Their presence creates long-lasting impact that leaves a positive mark on the
organization and the people they serve.

Respected leaders are passionate, impact-driven people. Their presence is felt when
they walk into the room; their reputation and their track-record precede them.

5. Have Their Employees Backs; Deflect Their Own Recognition

Too many leaders are recognition addicts and want all of the credit. They spend too
much time breaking-down rather than building-up their teams. They dont take the
time to genuinely learn about others needs. Leadership is ultimately about knowing
the people you serve and giving them the guidance, inspiration and navigational tools
to make their lives better and enable more opportunities.
Leaders earn respect when they reward and recognize their employees and colleagues.
They take the time to appreciate and understand the unique ways they each think, act
and innovate and are always on the lookout to enable their talent. They are trusted,
admired and respected because they make it more about the advancement of others,
rather than themselves. They share the harvest of the momentum they build with
others.

Earning respect is a journey and requires leaders to focus on how they can deliver
beyond what is expected of their role and responsibilities. Its about always being on
the look-out for ways to step up your game and being mindful of ways to make the
workplace better and the organization and its people more competitive and relevant.
What will you do as a leader today that you havent done in the past to be more
respected?
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Women In The Workplace: 12 Ways To Gain And Keep Respect

By Kelley Lord

Whether you are responsible for the copy machine or a team of employees, every
person deserves the same level of respect in the workplace.

At some point in your career, a boss will belittle you, a coworker will hit on you and
another employee will be jealous of you. It is important to know how to handle these
types of situations so you are not disrespected and your career is not compromised.

Here are 12 tips for women on how to gain and keep respect in the workplace:

1. Put in your work.

The best way to gain respect in the workplace is to do your job and do it well. You have
heard it all before: Show up early, stay late and perform each task to the best of your
abilities.

When striving to gain respect and influence, you must prove that you are both worthy
and capable of such responsibilities. While this should be enough, women must accept
that our appearances and communication skills are also important and must be as
polished as our work.

2. Dont sleep with anyone who has the same business card as you.

I know a woman who is doing amazingly well in her early career. She knows her stuff,
puts in her hours and networks with the right people but she sleeps with them, too.

After she admitted this to several coworkers and me, I lost respect for her. I am not
able to be happy for her accomplishments without thinking about how she got to
where she is. Even if she stops, it is now part of her reputation among our peers.

Sometimes, meeting someone through your workplace is inevitable, but my best advice
is to avoid it at all costs. If you are looking for a hookup, look further than the next
cubicle over.

If you could potentially see yourself with someone long-term, keep it casual. Test the
waters before you make a mistake that could jeopardize your credibility and ultimately,
your career.

3. Always keep your recorded communication professional.

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No matter how close you are with coworker, sending informal, silly emails is not the
way to do it in the workplace. Every email unless you are quickly messaging back
and forth should include a proper greeting and sign off.

The more formal you are, the more seriously higher-ups (and whoever is potentially
reading your emails) will take you.

While typing an email, keep in mind that it could be forwarded to any person in your
office building. If there is an issue that you would do not feel comfortable with each of
your coworkers reading, set up a meeting to talk about it in person.

4. Emanate confidence through your speech and body language.

In the wilderness, birds spread their wings to appear bigger and more intimidating. I
am not asking you to flex during a meeting, but your stature and demeanor must come
across confident and strong.

Eye contact is also huge. The more your eyes wander, the more insecure and nervous
you look. If you come across as shy, your voice and opinion will likely be overlooked.
Speak firmly, clearly and confidently in your opinions.

5. Know when to be a team player and when to lead.

Too many women are afraid to take credit for their individual accomplishments and
step back behind their teams. Exert ownership of your ideas while encouraging others
to participate and be involved. Be the go-to person for your team because you are
knowledgeable, approachable and friendly.

As a leader, you will face difficult decisions. Be focused on the goal of the project and
the morale of your team. Not every person will like every decision you make, but if you
keep those two things in mind, nothing else should be of concern.

6. Know your place.

No matter how qualified you feel you are at your job, do not assume that you know
everything. How many coworkers have you lost respect for due to their arrogant
attitudes about their work? If you do not know something, ask for help. It is better to
reach out than to do something wrong all by yourself.

Each work environment is different, but it is important to know your place. Keeping
that in mind, do not be imitated by people who are in higher positions than you are;
speak to every person as an equal. If you treat people as your equals, in most cases,
they will accept it.

In the same regard, acknowledge every person, no matter what role he or she holds.
Greet department heads and custodians with equal degrees of warmth.
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7. Avoid gossip.

As fun as it may be to chat about coworkers, by doing so, you are spoiling your
reputation more than the person about whom you are talking. Your peers will
automatically find you less trustworthy and will be less likely to share discrete
information about themselves, others and the company.

Rather than gossiping, keep your eyes and ears open about whats happening around
you. When others try to involve you in the latest gossip, do not feel obligated to
participate.

By brushing it off or changing the subject, eventually, others will realize you are not
entertained by such things and will likely respect you for it.

8. Dress for the position you want to have.

What you wear says a lot about you and the type of attention you seek to have. When
you are out at a bar, you may wear a short skirt and pumps because you want to look
good with your girlfriends or get a guy to buy you a drink. But, what do you want your
outfit to say about you at the office?

If you, some day, want to become a company CEO, dress like it. While others in your
position might get away with jeans or casual tops, be the one to come in with a sharp
blazer.

Do not be surprised if someone assumes you have a higher position by the way you
look, and if it happens, go with it. Above all, let your personality and work ethic not
your clothing speak for you.

9. Draw the line between your social life and the workplace.

I have seen people lose their wallets, phones, balance, dignity and even jobs by being
the drunkest person at a work party. An open bar mixed with awkwardly forced
conversations with coworkers can be a cocktail for disaster, but dont let it be.

Trust me when I say that your coworkers will remember who the drunkest people were
at the party, and the stories about it will last much longer than Monday morning water-
cooler chatter.

While work parties are the time to let loose with your coworkers, know your limits and
stay within acceptable, professional boundaries.

10. NEVER complain.

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Do not be the person who complains about the job. If you are ungrateful for your
current position, why would anyone want to promote you?

If you think that something is happening incorrectly or inefficiently in the workplace,

thats another matter. Approach such an issue in a constructive and non-hostile
manner and with suggestions to improve.

Keep ideas and changes moving in a positive direction to meet the goals of the
workplace and be sure to follow up.

11. Do not let your emotions get the best of you.

At work, you must leave all personal drama at the door. If you distract others by
venting about your love life or family feuds, you will lose the respect from those who
are trying to get their jobs done.

Becoming overwhelmed or stressed out at work is okay, but do not let it upset you.
Every person makes mistakes, but becoming emotional about them will make you
seem unstable and unreliable. If you feel yourself losing it, relieve yourself and take a
breather outside.

12. Learn to say no.

Many women have the misconception that the way to gain respect and move up in the
workplace is by being polite and doing everything asked of them. Yes, doing these
things will prove your gratitude and value to your company, but it wont make you feel
appreciated or respected.

Regarding the struggle between wanting to be liked and respected in the workplace, if
you focus on being liked, you will surely be taken advantage of.

When someone asks you to take on a lower-level task, it is okay to say that you
understand it must get completed, but that you would rather focus on your required
responsibilities. You must demand the respect you deserve.

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