Career Tip: Network Inside Your Organization
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This week is about something you can do as an employee that will continue to level you up throughout your career.
Network and build relationships inside your company.
When I say, “Network,” I mean plan sit-downs, and don’t wait 6 months, get them on the books now.
Your goal should be to have your direct leader, and leaders who are several tiers higher than you in your organization aware of not only who you are but where you want to go within your role and the organization as a whole. That means: Your boss should know what job that you want next. Your boss's boss should know what job that you're headed towards. (And, if possible your boss's boss's boss. You get it.)
When possible, meet those people, set up meetings, have a conversation, even if it’s just “hallway networking” (if you’re missing this in a remote landscape, make sure you’re subscribed to the #culturedrop, I’ve got some great vids coming up you don’t want to miss).
Touch points within these conversations:
I want to become _________.
What are the skills that I should focus on that would help make me a shoo-in for that next level up?
What kinds of things do you need to see from me? What kind of performance?
What kind of certifications or training do I need to have?
Be proactive instead of waiting for the job you want to open up and then taking action.
Relevant Feedback
The other benefit of this is that you can ask your direct leader to be on the lookout for any kind of feedback they can provide knowing that that’s where you want to go next.
So for example, if you want to move into a leadership position, it’s helpful for them to be viewing you through that lens and providing feedback and coaching to you inside that context.
This isn't about kissing ass or politics. This is about you taking responsibility and accountability for the direction of your career.
And this isn’t a one-and-done: Have these conversations with your direct leader semi-often (think: every 4-6 month check-ins, and schedule them yourself).
Go all the way up.
Network as high as you can, go all the way up, build a network and those relationships inside your company.
When you connect with those senior level positions, have a conversation and let them know where you want to go to. Be clear about the purpose of the meeting, which is to get their perspective and advice about setting yourself up for success in the future.
Be authentic and make a connection. Do your best to be sure that you don’t come across as entitled or like you’re playing politics inside the organization, simply making a connection and looking for some guidance.
Acknowledge that you know it won’t happen tomorrow, frame it up like, “This is where I want to go, what’s the best path for to get me there? For someone in my position, if that’s where I want to end up, what skills do I need? What is my best, most direct path to get there, and what should I focus on?”
What’s the alternative?
A lot of people don't do this.
Many people work really hard for a long time towards the promotion they want. An opportunity opens up and they feel like, "I deserve this job, and sometimes they get it, but sometimes they don't get it which can be extremely disheartening and demotivating.
This approach is something you can do throughout your career to be more proactive along the way.
Create a trajectory for yourself by networking and asking for guidance (authentically) which can help set you up to be on the radar of your leadership team. It’s not about politics or feeling like, “I’m owed this position,” it’s simply about advocating for yourself and taking more ownership of your own career path.
(Hell yeah)
Want more?
This article was created by Galen Emanuele for the #culturedrop. Free leadership and team culture content in less than 5 minutes a week. Check out the rest of this month's content and subscribe to the Culture Drop at https://bit.ly/culturedrop