Do these 5 things to get noticed at work
Make time for relationships. Results are important, but so are your relationships. Many of us believe that getting our “list of things to do” done is more important than connecting with others. The fact is that until that changes, you will likely continue to get passed over for promotions. Your current strategy might be to work hard, produce excellent results, and keep your focus on the "work," and hey, that's good! It'll help you to keep your job. Look, results do matter, but they are only part of the formula and, dare I say, not the most heavily weighted. You don't get promoted because you do good work; you get paid because you do good work. You get promoted because of the relationships you hold. Look at how you prioritize your time and ensure you’re allocating enough time to building relationships that are key to your success.
Put your hand up. Look for ways to be seen and heard. Here are a few to consider: Ask for stretch assignments or a job rotation; show them that you have dynamic skills that can be applied to many areas of the business. Kick-off a town hall (or better yet, ask to present a portion of your group’s section). Join committees that allow you to be in the room with your strategic relationships. Secure time in the calendars of senior people and use it to listen, learn, flaunt, and strengthen relationships.
Manage your brand. You can intentionally control most of how others perceive you. How? By paying attention to what you say, how you say it, what you do, and how you do it. Watch what you’re talking about. Are you commonly heard complaining about the challenges or coming up with possible solutions? Are you gossiping about people or building others up? Do you call yourself a collaborator, yet your door is always closed? Here’s a checkpoint: Read the last 20 emails you sent and ask yourself what words you would use to describe yourself. Then validate your results by asking others whom you often work with what three words they would use to describe you.
Mentor others. A top performer isn’t only interested in what they can achieve but rather invests time in lifting the performance of their team. To be seen as a leader requires you to act like one. So, find a few people who are keen to learn and give them some of your time and experience.
Flaunt. Generally speaking, people don't wake up thinking about how they can make your life better, get you an advancement, or help you to achieve your goals. That's why you must know what you want, know that you're worth it, and then flaunt to bring attention to why you deserve it. By doing so, others will become more aware of your value, and new opportunities will emerge. The fact is, to convince others that you are ready for a promotion or new challenges, you must be able to promote yourself. Flaunting unlocks the mystery to others about how they can get the best from you. Remember: It's your job to get noticed.