038 | Promotions - Stop spinning your wheels and put this into practice for your next meeting

Have you ever seen someone get promoted and you can't seem to put your finger on why? Chances are they are practicing what I share with you in today's episode.

We all know that in order to get promoted, you first have be seen for your work! If your job isn't conducive to group work, even more reason to make an effort to get your work seen. Best way to do so? Networking.

You should be networking internally just as much, if not more, than you would be during an industry event!!

- Set up meetings: with your manager, other departments, your team, those in leadership, etc. 
- Proactively give status reports / updates / progress
- Find ways to learn from others, and tell them about it
- Get to know what others within your org. 
- Vocalize your ideas / solutions / creativity

All of these are great ways you can develop a strong presence within your company. It's more than just setting up meetings though...if you're going to put time on someone's calendar, you better make sure it's relevant.

Not only relevant to YOU, but relevant to the person / people you are meeting WITH. In other words, make sure if the value of what you're sharing isn't obvious, you need to spell it out. You might have to explain why your new idea, or the progress you've made is of value to those you're with. That's what being relevant is all about!!

If you don't share the value, you risk wasting other people's time.' There is nothing worse than feeling like your time is being wasted, this one hits home for me because that is a HUGE pet peeve of mine.

I don't think people intend to waste time, ever. But if you're ready to get noticed, be seen for the work you're doing, and you're going to be internally networking like this...you need to come prepared for every meeting. To ensure your going to be relevant in what you're sharing, ask yourself two things:

- Who cares?
- What's in it for them?

If your answers to these questions don't relate to the people you have a meeting with, then you know you need to find a way it does.

Truth is, what your manager cares about, isn't going to be the same as a another manager you meet with. If you're looking to be the next promotion, help yourself out by connecting the dots for those you're meeting with.

Every day you are building a personal brand within your company, make sure it's described as: dynamic, innovative, and knowledgable by staying relevant to every person you come in contact with. The more who understand and see the value you bring to the organization, the more likely people will want to work and partner with you.

Photo by Olu Eletu