Category Archives: Stand out and Get Noticed

Stand-Out

After many years of being denied promotions and a continued lack of recognition, Steven, a senior director at Cisco Systems, decided he needed to make a change. His quiet nature and somewhat passive approach were interfering with his need to be visible. Senior management and other influential people weren’t aware of his value to the organization. He recognized how important it was to increase his visibility and become known in the organization.

Over a nine-month period, Steven worked hard to become visible, stand out and get noticed. He gained the recognition he wanted and the promotion he deserved. How did he do it? By following the seven steps below to increase his visibility at work. Follow these same steps to increase your chances of being rewarded for your hard efforts at work:

One_simple_technique_to_appear_more_competent_at_work

People make constant judgments about you based on their perceptions and observations. These perceptions can be hard to change, but both experience and research have shown that there is one simple thing you can do to start changing minds almost immediately: Speak up and let your opinions be heard.

According to a study by Cameron Anderson and Gavin J. Kilduff, people who speak up and act dominant are perceived by others as being competent — even if they aren’t.

Speaking up is no substitute for true competence, of course. You can “fake it ’til you make it,” but if you lack the skills and traits needed to perform at your job, someone will eventually notice. If you really are competent, though, speaking up will help everyone else see you as the valuable employee you are.

“I have difficulty asserting myself to my superior and co-workers and often feel inferior. What can I do?”

You are certainly not alone. Our parents and other elders taught us early in life to be polite, and not to be arrogant or conceited. Basically, to not assert yourself. However, having a healthy view of your own strengths and being able to convey those strengths to your superiors is neither conceited nor arrogant.

Your goals should be to set boundaries, to get promotions and raises, and to gain the respect of others for your talents. This will help you be more assertive.

Here are 4 steps you can take to assert yourself. List it.

Consider projects you have worked on and what gifts and talents you used to make them a success. Look at your daily tasks and see what strengths are manifested there. List all of your achievements and accomplishments, … Continue reading How do You Assert Yourself at Work? →

“After almost two decades building a successful career at a high-profile investment bank, I realized that I needed help to get to the next level. I have already seen the benefits in my leadership skills and promotion prospects.”

Angela Osborne, Executive Director, MORGAN STANLEY

Oscar, a director of a medium-sized firm, came to me because his value to the company wasn’t being recognized. His quiet nature and somewhat passive approach were interfering with his need to be visible, especially in meetings where higher-level executives were in attendance. He wasn’t finding ways to connect with these leaders one-on-one in order to build a rapport, either. As a result, senior staff members and other influential people weren’t aware of the impact player my client truly was. It was clear that he needed to become more visible by enhancing his powers of self-expression.

Oscar’s resistance to sharing his … Continue reading 12 Ways to Speak Up and Raise Your Visibility →

Client Mark asks: I’m mostly quiet at meetings. I’ve always thought that if I just do my work, it will speak for itself. But it’s not working. I think I need to speak up more. But what is the best way to get my opinion out there?

Coach Joel Answers: Mark, you need to trust that your opinion matters. No one else sees the world through your perspective. No one else has your unique blend of experience, knowledge, understanding, and skills. In order for your group and organization to perform at their best, they need varied input. They need your input.

When you share your opinion, you stand out and get recognized. As you do so, you create value, and that impact sets you up for promotions.

If you have been a worker-bee, or a shy person who deflected attention, it may be hard to take the risk of sharing … Continue reading Speak Up at Work to Advance Your Career →

Increasing your visibility is one of the best ways to be recognized, gain influence and get ahead in the workplace. But for many, especially new employees who are swallowed up by large organizations, this can be a daunting task.

One way to stand above the crowd is to create your own brand.

That’s what’s made companies like 3M, Disney, Michelin, Microsoft, Wal-Mart, Nordstrom, Boeing, Starbucks and Volvo leaders in their industries. These firms typically hire expensive ad agencies to create and promote their brands. But you can accomplish the same thing — on a small scale — at no cost at all.

What is Your Unique Value You Bring to Work? This is Your Personal Brand

Management guru Tom Peters suggests you, “Start by identifying the qualities or characteristics that make you distinctive from your competitors — or colleagues. What would your colleagues or customers say is your … Continue reading How to Create and Promote Your Personal Brand →

Feeling Inadequate and Deficient With People More Senior Then You

Often, when you interact with someone who is your senior, you feel less than equal to them. You think they know more and should receive deferential treatment due to their higher level position in the company. This type of behavior surrenders too much power to the senior person, especially when it’s not necessary in your relationship.

The mind-set you exhibit when inferiority complex occurs: I don’t know as much as you do, so I’ll maintain a low profile. I have an over-compensating desire to please and give my superiors what they want. I am afraid to share my ideas because they will be rejected or looked down upon. I feel threatened and intimidated by your presence. I don’t want to disagree or say something that might be seen as “not being a team player.” I lack confidence in my … Continue reading Overcome Inferiority Complex
No One Can Make You Feel Inferior →

Many of my executive coaching clients have current work responsibilities and duties that demand a lot of their time. One important area that becomes neglected is bringing new innovative ideas to work. It’s important to gain buy-in from others on why your idea or project needs to be embraced.

Benefit to Bringing New Innovative Ideas to Work

The benefit of bringing new innovative ideas to your organization is that your visibility can be tied to the project, increasing your exposure and thus your advancement up the corporate ladder. All of this directly affects how others perceive you, your career, and the overall productivity and efficiency of the company.

Whatever project, innovative idea, or new initiative you want created needs to be promoted in the correct way. The first step in gaining visibility for your innovative idea is to build a solid case that clearly shows … Continue reading Bring New Innovative Ideas to Work →

Joel helped me learn how to enhance my leadership potential and be recognized by top management for the value I bring to the organization.

Debra Waggoner, Director, Global Government Affairs,CORNING INCORPORATED

Clients often ask me, “Why should I increase my visibility? Why can’t I let my work speak for itself?” My response has always been, “You can’t assume decision-makers are aware of your accomplishments. How can you expect to get ahead if you don’t get noticed?”

We’ve been programmed to think those who work hardest get ahead. But we look around and see that isn’t necessary so. Working hard, long hours, and being a team player are all important, but you can do all of these things and still feel your growth trajectory has somehow been derailed. Why? If you fail to make yourself recognized at work, senior management and even your boss may be clueless … Continue reading Advance in Your Organization by Increasing Your Visibility at Work →