I am not normally a stickler for details. I am generally pretty good at going with the flow and not letting insistence on perfection ruin my experience. But, when it comes to your success, I am a stickler. Today, I want to talk about details when it comes to how you engage with others to advance your career. Whether you are speaking with a mentor, asking a strategic partner for an introduction, or even reaching out for a new job opportunity, working with others can expedite your career advancement. However, there are some details you need to follow when you are engaged in this process. These details are important and cannot be overlooked.
First and foremost-you MUST care more about your career than the person you are asking to help you. I know-many of you are thinking, yeah of course. However, I see this and experience it all the time. Caring more about your career than the other person means that YOU are responsible for making the contact or following up if you are lucky to have someone proactively reach out to you. YOU are responsible for keeping the appointment. YOU are responsible for the follow up after the appointment. This is your career. If you want someone to help show him/her that it is worth it by taking the initiative and owning the responsibility of the engagement.
The people who are best situated to help you with your career are probably also very busy. Assume this and act accordingly. Don’t email them and ask them to call you. Instead, you pick up the phone and call them or send an email and schedule a time to talk. If you leave your success up to the determination of their busy schedule-YOU will be disappointed. Plus-pushing the responsibility for the contact to the other person sends a message that you either don’t understand that they are busy or don’t value their assistance and contact enough to make the appointment yourself.
The second detail-make it easy to help you. If possible, do your research in advance. Know what you want from the person when you show up. If what you need most is someone to brainstorm with so that you can formulate a plan-say so. But, don’t make the other person guess about what you are looking for. Like anything else in life, if you don’t ask-you don’t get. So showing up with no idea what you want or need will get you vague answers and likely lead you to confusion. Plus, it is a frustrating waste of your time and the other person’s time. Don’t allow this to happen. Take the time to think about why you want to meet with this person and outline a meeting agenda or meeting objectives.
Finally, remember your manners. If someone takes the time to meet with you to help you advance your career, please send a thank you note. I know in the era of email it is tempting to shoot over a thank you email. Resist this urge and instead take the time to put actual pen to paper and send a thank you note. It is also appropriate to keep the person in the loop about your advancement. Human beings are natural social creatures. We want to help one another. Asking someone for help and then sharing your journey will keep the person invested in your career. It will also be very satisfying for them.
If you are taking the time to read this, I know you care about your success. So join me in being a stickler for the details.
Don’t forget your umbrella-I see rain in your forecast
About Jonelle- Jonelle Vold is a business coach that is passionate about your success. A mother of twins, former Assistant Dean at a tier-one law school, attorney, and seasoned sales professional, Jonelle understands the challenges of high-level professionals. Her coaching philosophy is every person has the ability to be a rainmaker by cracking their own personal code and doing business with intention. You can reach Jonelle at jonelle@jonellevold.com or www.jonellevold.com.
Women's Short-Term-Massive-Action Group Coaching Classes starting on September 8, 2011. Ladies if you are ready to jump start your success, regain control of your time and your life, reignite your professional passion, and of course learn to make rain-this is the class for you. Space is limited contact jonelle@jonellevold.com for details
Solid advice, as always! Thanks Jonelle!
ReplyDelete