Personal Impact...
How do you work on your visibility...?
Most of us are adverse to self promotion it feels awkward and it feels like you are "Showing Off".
Working as a Coach with Clients I encourage them to work on their visibility in a way that feels authentic and right for them.
Developing through an organisation is about developing relationships and you can only do this if you step out of your comfort zone and meet more people. I also encourage developing relationships outside of your organisation so that you are not institutionalised by your own company. Expanding your network can be informal or formal, here are some ideas:-
- Mentor or find a mentor
- Attend conferences
- Coffee & catch ups
- LinkedIn connections
We all have strengths and we have super strengths, the things that are unique to us. If we deploy are strengths and share our knowledge expertise in these areas we will become known and a go to person. This is altruistic to share what you have, this is not "Showing Off". Clients often express being inhibited in admitting they know more than some-one senior. Next time this happens view it as gift sharing, and not a negative and the Senior person will be grateful that you shared and spoke up.
Looking to others who you can support and advocate their strengths. Paying it forward is a great way of creating a culture of encouragement. As an organisation is there structure for sharing knowledge and processes. Think about how much you share and how often:-
- Lunch and learn sessions
- Updates
- Newsletters
- Cross functional projects
- Team events
Being visible does not always have to relate to the day job. Volunteer if your organisation has some structured groups or committees. Such as:-
- Social committee
- Charity group
- Community projects
- Fire marshal
- Mental First Aider
These groups give you an opportunity to meet at different levels, different departments and a more diverse group of people than perhaps just the people in your team.
To go out and be more visible starts with YOU. Ask yourself the question "What is the value of my work?" think about the things that you value in life and does your work feed those values. Believe in YOU and get out there!
Please do get in touch for a one to one coaching session bev@nuggetsoflearning.co.uk
