Power up Your Network With a Team of Influencers
You don’t need a super power to know that it helps to connect and develop relationships at work for that extra edge on a project, increased exposure to the boss, or even better… future promotion opportunities.
Is Your Boss Too Busy?
I have attended a number of sales courses, and negotiation workshops, and one thing that I have learned is that people are busy. More importantly the person that you most likely want to be, is even busier. Don’t worry he/she may not have the time to be your dream mentor and that’s ok. So how do you become that “superman” or “wonder-woman” at work if they just don’t have time to show you all their “office super-powers”?
Your Team of Influencers
Well if you ever read comic books as a kid like I did, then you know almost every good hero has a team, there is the X-Men, the Justice League, and the Avengers to name a few. Wait, I am not saying you need to change your name to “Excelman” or “powerpointgirl” but I am suggesting that we all should have a team on our side separate from our actual office team.
Let’s leave the comic world behind now and discuss what that team means to you and me every day. It means that your team can look much like a Board of Directors. Almost every organization has them. They are people in the community with excellent experience and a highly respectable background of influence.
What should my board of directors look like? Depending upon the complexity of your job you can have 2 board members or more. It is also important to note that this is your “team” or network.
What do these people do? They are actually specialized individuals, peers, subordinates, and experts at an area of your business that you go to for advice, tips, and more.
Is it ok to let the person know that you look up to them or admire their expertise? YES! Let them know that you want to pulse them on thoughts, or ask them to review some documents on a project, or if you could approach them periodically. Make sure they accept, and ensure you are zeroing in on their major strength/skill.
Managing Your Personal Board Of Directors
How can I manage the time I spend with my board? I keep a PowerPoint on my desktop that has an image of a board table. Each seat has a name on it, and the skill set that I attribute my members too. Whenever I have a project I think I could use a tip from, I open the slide up and review my board members. If you are really organized you can also keep a spreadsheet on the project name and board member that helped. This way you can always see who has been engaged and helpful to your growth, and when it may be time for you to bring in some bagels to the office, or offer a thank you lunch.
For those of you that have a mentor that is great! Some businesses are just so large that a board of directors is a great alternative. I want to open this up to a discussion now. Please post a way that you have benefited from your network or “board of directors”
This is a guest (soon to be full time contributor) post from Seth Travis, a Gen Y young professional who is excited to share his experiences in one of the world’s largest corporations. Seth seeks to merge the typical administrative style of leadership with a creative element all his own. He has a B.A. and M.A. in Communications with an emphasis in public relations and advertising. Seth’s proudest accomplishment in graduate school was the creation of the first ever Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education’s Student Philanthropy Council.
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Picture attributions go to bloke_with_a_camera and StephenPoff
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I would definitely recommend the “personal board of directors” idea. It’s always good to have friends with different backgrounds who can give you advice.
Great post Seth! Looking forward to having you on as a full time contributor.
Seth, I was impressed to read your post.
I agree the personal board of directors is important, and you touched on the key reason–we need a cadre or network of engaged professionals giving us focused support and feedback.
I was recently asked how to use a Personal BOD now–in a downturned economy. I actually believe the Personal BOD is great to have around all of the time, but they are especially powerful during career reinvention and transitions. Two thoughts Seth–In my experience mentoring young professionals and building a company that serves people who want upward mobility, it’s hard for them … for most of us, actually to self-identify talents & strengths, and hence to see opportunities. So, we’re probably missing 99% of what we could do. Maybe that means we’re settling or stumbling. I know someone now who is going through a major career transition. He is 28 and overwhelmed with what to do next—I’ve convinced him, and this post will help, to leverage that Board of Directors to give him a set of thoughtful options to consider. Like your post recommends, I suggest this for people on the verge or in the throes of transition now. Secondly, I think a BOD, if it’s engaged and managed, can be part of helping to navigate to a career goal. As you alluded to in your post, co-investors have a stake in the outcome. A personal Board of Directors should be engaged in a dialog and then help to execute it.
Again, great post and look forward to more.
Promise Phelon