No One is Interested in an Empty Suit
Top 10 Tips to Maximize Your Career Success
Most people think it’s enough to get your work done accurately and on time. While those tenets are very important, there comes a time when that’s almost a given.
Here are 10 tips that will help maximize your career success and aid you in getting to the next level.
- Network, Network, Network
Networking should be done externally and internally. Internally, it’s important to know your co-workers inside and out. The more people know your name and what you do- the better off you are. Externally it’s for perspective. My external network will often ask each other questions about certain processes or strategies. Things that are being done in their company or a past role may be applicable to a project you’re working on.
2. Build Relationships
When you’re meeting with colleagues — find common ground. I can contribute my success to the relationships I’ve built throughout my career. I try to get to know people personally before getting into the nitty gritty of business. It helps break the ice and makes people feel at ease. In return, they become more open to hear your perspective, what your project is and what you’re asking of them. At the end of the day, people like to work with people they like.
3. Building Your Reputation Through Results
No one is interested in an empty suit. It’s great to talk and to use words that have several syllables, but if your work can’t back it up, people can see through that pretty quickly.
It’s really important when you are making a claim that you have four or five accomplishments in your back pocket that show your potential and prove you have the capacity to be successful. Results are really, really important.
4. Always Find a Way to Add Value
There is a saying I heard years ago that is “NVA.” NVA stands for “no value add.” You don’t want to be a NVA. If you have a seat at the table, you have to earn it every time you take that seat. If you’re in a meeting and there is discussion on a subject you have expertise in — share your perspective. Understand what your commodity is and deliver it consistently.
5. Always Prepare and Anticipate Questions
Whether it’s for an interview or business presentation, you never know what someone is going to ask. To the extent that you can anticipate most questions, it’s important to prepare. Those who are in a position to make decisions are looking for someone who has taken the time to prepare whether it’s a presentation, meeting, etc.
6. Maintaining Your Integrity
Integrity is near and dear to my heart because I’m in HR. It’s a foundation for me, but I think one mistake people make is if they don’t know the answer they fake it. What they don’t know is that people know they are fudging it. It’s crucial to be honest and open about what you know. The key is to go back and deliver on that question. If you fake it, you diminish your credibility.
7. Self Promote
Something that I didn’t do early on in my career is self promote. It is awkward to tout yourself, but if you don’t, no one will. Your boss will be your advocate, but they shouldn’t be your only advocate. There is a way you can self promote without coming across arrogant and obnoxious. It’s delicate but vital.
8. Create a Personal Board of Directors
If you think about a board, everyone has a different function that helps steer the business in a successful direction. Why shouldn’t you have your own board of directors to help steer your career?
Board Member #1 — Gives you constructive feedback.
Board Member #2 — Connects you with the right people.
Board Member #3 — The listener that asks probing questions so you can arrive at your own solutions.
Each “board member” will provide a different perspective that will help you become the best you can be from a professional standpoint. As an example, I just spoke to one of my board of directors who shared the nugget, “You may not be an expert in everything, but always demonstrate good judgement. Good judgement and a good batting average will always see you through.”
9. Ask Questions
Often times we assume our leaders expect us to know everything, but they don’t. I think it’s important to ask smart questions, and to some extent show vulnerability to say “You know what — I understand this, but this is the piece where I just need more clarification for me to understand XYZ.”
10. Be Kind and Adopt a Positive Disposition
We spend most of our waking hours at work. There is no point in being grumpy while you’re here. Not everything is going to run smoothly. However, if you approach issues with a positive disposition, you’ll find it’s a lot more rewarding for you and the people you’re working with. Often times it’s your disposition that will open doors you didn’t realize existed, and it’s all because you were decent.
