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May 5, 2005
Create a Positive Impression with Senior Executives
You may have a good relationship with your boss, but that isn’t enough to put you on the road to advancement in your organization. Equally, if not more importantly, your organization’s senior executives—the decision-makers above your own executive—must have high regard for your abilities and knowledge. Here are some tips to help you make a positive and long-standing impression with the individuals who can often have the greatest impact on your career:
Be visible. Identify those projects that are critical to your organization’s financial performance and take an active role in the work. Lend a hand if asked or, better yet, volunteer to be on the project team and participate in the planning and implementation.
Sound convincing. If you have an idea that requires approval not only by your own boss but also from his or her superiors, sound confident and enthusiastic about the work you are doing. Be optimistic even in the face of trouble. Don’t pretend that problems don’t exist; but at the same time, speak in a manner that suggests that the problems can be resolved with a little creative thinking and hard work.
Be prepared. Should you be asked to present your thinking to senior management in a group meeting, carefully consider the issues that may arise and be ready with answers—facts and figures—to questions you will be asked. Be explicit. Don’t assume the senior manager will understand how your idea will benefit the organization.
Be tactful and diplomatic. Avoid the reputation of being someone who easily loses his or her temper. For instance, don’t be known as someone who shoots from the hip. Faced with a problem, don’t accuse a staff member for being responsible. Instead, use words and body language that show you are open to hearing his or her side of the story.
Stay on top of projects in which you are involved. You never know when your boss’s boss might drop by and ask for a status report. If you don’t have the answers, don’t waffle. Promise to follow up with—the answers to any questions he or she has raised.
Don’t brag. You may want to talk about your accomplishments when an accidental chance occurs to speak to a member of senior management. Instead, use the opportunity to ask him or her questions. We all prefer to talk about what interests us most—ourselves. Build rapport by offering this opportunity.
Take accountability. Whether you head up a task team, a department or a division, you are accountable for the final result. Don’t finger point. If something went wrong, acknowledge the situation. Demonstrate the kind of strong leader you are by accepting ultimate responsibility. Ideally, come with a solution as well.
Look professional. Dress not for the job you have but for the job you want. If dress casual is acceptable, remember that there are various levels of dress casual, and choose that informal look that makes the most businesslike impression.
Keep you office neat. There should be a place for everything and everything should be in its proper place. Put papers in files and stack the files neatly. When a visitor enters your office, he or she should see that you are in control of your workload, ready for the next new assignment.
Don’t let them see you sweat. Don’t lose your cool, no matter how difficult a situation seems. You want others to see you in command of the problem, ready and able to come up with an action plan that will resolve the dilemma. This attitude also will gain the confidence of your staff and increase the likelihood that your plan will work.
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