Your Employees Want to Feel the Purpose in Their Work

Your Employees Want to Feel the Purpose in Their Work

Nov 13 2019

Instilling purpose in your employees takes more than motivational talks, lofty speeches, or mission statements. In fact, if overblown or insincere, those methods can backfire, triggering cynicism rather than commitment. To inspire and engage your employees, keep two things in mind. First, purpose is a feeling. You could tell your team that their work is important, but how can you help individuals feel it firsthand? Think about ways to show people the impact of their jobs. Perhaps you could bring a customer in to share a testimonial, or send a small team into the field to experience the client’s needs for themselves. Second, authenticity matters — a lot. If your attempts at creating purpose do not align with how you’ve acted in the past, employees will likely be skeptical, and they might be left feeling more manipulated than inspired. Making the pursuit of purpose a routine, rather than a one-off initiative, will show employees that you’re serious about it.

Show Senior Leaders That You Can Think Strategically

Show Senior Leaders That You Can Think Strategically

Nov 11 2019

Being able to think strategically is important, but in order to get ahead, you have to show your boss and other senior leaders that you can do it. One of the best ways to showcase your skill is to bring a point of view to an important conversation. During a meeting where strategy is being discussed, for example, ask yourself whether those present know where you stand. If they don’t, speak up and share your perspective. Higher-ups want to see that you don’t make decisions in a vacuum, so be sure that your point of view considers how other departments might be affected or how the outside world will respond. Also, show that you can use your knowledge to put new ideas into action. No matter your level in the organization, you can execute a project that demonstrates that your understanding of the business extends beyond your current role. Leaders will know you’re ready to be promoted when they know you can make decisions that position the company for the future.

If Your Boss Doesn’t Have Influence, Connect with Higher-Ups Who Do

If Your Boss Doesn’t Have Influence, Connect with Higher-Ups Who Do

Oct 24 2019

A boss who is well connected in your company can be a great asset for your career. But having a manager who lacks influence doesn’t mean you can’t get ahead. Build your own connections by developing relationships with senior leaders. Identify people who would be good to know — maybe they can provide important information, or they’re involved in high-level decisions — and then find a way to connect. For example, you could introduce yourself to an executive after a meeting and share something that could be of value to them. Or consider getting involved in the projects and initiatives that the executive cares about. It’s especially important to form these relationships if your boss is unlikely to sing your praises to higher-ups. If that’s the case for you, you’ll need to stand out so that decision makers notice you. Try leading a committee, speaking up in meetings, overdelivering on a project, or suggesting a new method to increase productivity.