Just because we’re in the middle of a pandemic, doesn’t mean you don’t want to progress your career. How do you avoid the out-of-sight-out-of-mind culture that a flexible workplace can have on your personal brand? How do you remain relevant? In short, how do you get promoted?
Here are seven guidelines to keep your personal leadership progress on track.
Performance
Identify your top-level professional goal and the philosophy that drives all your actions. How are you performing against this goal?
Product (that’s you)
Take a good look at where you’re currently struggling in your own work. What are the recurring issues that keep coming up? Be truthful about what you think you know but need to let go of, and then identify what’s going well that you’d like to do more of. How well-developed is your skillset of the future (curiosity, critical thinking, ability to give and receive critical feedback, collaboration, negotiation, resilience, grit, willingness to be uncomfortable, empathy, emotional intelligence, etc.)?
Perception
Your personal brand is what other people tell each other about you. How do you think you are known and does this match how you want to be known? What do you think is your current reputation? What are the connection points and opportunities for you to stay visible while in a flexible workspace?
Platform
Describe your current role and map out your next role. Where are the gaps and how can you close them? What are the key behavioural differences between you and someone at a higher level?
Plan
If you don’t have one already, take responsibility for creating your individual development plan. What are the actions that will propel you forward?
People
Relationships are what count. Who are the most important stakeholders in getting you to where you need to go, and where do you stand with each of them? When last did you connect with them and how can you do that now?
Positioning
Your promotion must make sense to your organisation. Position it favourably and craft your business case to motivate for it. What are the possible responses? What will you say to any objections?
An honest evaluation, careful attention, and confident action on these key points will keep your personal leadership brand on track.
