Section 18: Focus Intensely on Delivering Value to the Organization


Overview

The managers viewed Grace as a strong contributor to the organization. She responded to requests rapidly and was conscientious about the quality of her work. Over the years, she found that she seemed to be missing out on the truly exciting opportunities, such as leading-edge, high-impact, high-visibility projects.

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After discovering she hadn’t been considered as a possible candidate for the latest leadership project, she had a frank discussion with her boss. To her surprise, she found out that she was viewed as a great follower but not necessarily a leader. Although she made great contributions to her group, other groups and managers didn’t know much about her because she didn’t directly impact their success.

Grace’s experience is quite common, especially in large companies. The organization can get so caught up in day-to-day execution that this becomes a substitute for long-term, big-picture thinking. Many workers become distanced from decision-making and focus instead on doing their jobs as defined.

In general, this works well. After all, somebody has to address the day-to-day needs of the business, but it can become a disadvantage to your career. It can place you in a well-defined box, perhaps even a box that becomes irrelevant over time. You have to actively identify where the organization is going, and hone your skills to be ready for changes and opportunities when they arise.

For many people, this is a daunting prospect. After all, how do you figure out where the business is headed when the decision makers do not seem to know? How do you get in with the “in crowd” when they see no point in spending time with you?

Fortunately, it is not as complex as that. You do not have to be smarter than the bosses, you just have to understand what they are talking about and learn what is valued and rewarded. You do not have to be in the “in crowd” itself, you just need to watch what they are doing and find things to help with what they might value.

If your group’s current priorities are to save money, then look for ways to eliminate expenses that would help the business succeed. If the priorities are to gain influence in the company, then look for ways to highlight successes to that broader audience, things the company would view as successful. If the priorities are to deliver customer value, then find out what the customers are asking for and look for ways to give that to them better than in the past.

Find out what is valued and how your organization defines success. Discuss the future directions with senior decision makers. Relate that to your job and your immediate group, and increase your efforts in that direction. Expand your view to find opportunities to help the business succeed.

Now, let’s find out what happened to Grace….




Mondays Stink. 23 Secrets To Rediscover Delight and Fulfillment in Your Work
Mondays Stink!
ISBN: 1591099080
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2003
Pages: 43

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