Do you ever wonder why you’re not getting opportunities in your career? Why you’re not selected for the interesting projects, and you’re overlooked for advancement?

As a former corporate executive, I have been privy to those talent conversations that happen behind closed doors.

I’ve had a conversation like this one about a thousand times!

Corporate Leader: “I don’t think we should consider Theresa for that. I’ve had bad experiences with her….” 

Me: “WHEN did this happen?”

Corporate Leader: “Oh, I don’t know, maybe TWO YEARS AGO.”

Me: “Have you had any more RECENT experiences with her?”

Corporate Leader: “No, I don’t have much exposure to her.”

Me: “Two to three years is a LONG TIME for Theresa to work on her professional development. How might you learn more about her current capabilities to assess her fit for this opportunity?”

Typically, leaders that are two or more levels above you in the hierarchy have infrequent and minimal exposure to you. They draw on these limited data points to form an opinion of you which affects their decision making.

So, what can you do?

Enlist SPONSORS. 

A sponsor is someone who brings up your name when you’re not in the room. They educate other decision-makers about your talents. They recommend you for opportunities. 

Did you notice that I said SPONSORS, plural?

Yes, find multiple people to sponsor you. This helps ensure your name comes up more often in various contexts.

Request OPPORTUNITIES.

Your boss is busy and might not be focused on finding opportunities for you to shine in front of senior leaders. 

ASK your boss how you can increase your visibility within your organization. Here are some ways I would give my subordinates direct exposure to senior leaders:

• Bring them with me to meetings (and prepare them for their role in the meeting)
• Assign them to special projects outside the normal scope of their duties (and provide coaching throughout the project)
• Invite them to deliver a presentation (and coach them through dry-runs)
• Invite a senior leader to give an update or presentation to my team (and coach my team to prepare insightful questions to ask)

Make THE MOST of limited exposure to senior leaders

Since senior leaders don’t interact with you often, you need to leave a positive and memorable impression when you’re in front of them.

• Work with your manager, mentor, or coach to prepare you for these critical interactions.
• When speaking to a senior leader, keep your communication high level and let them ask if they want more details. 
• Get clear on the brand you want to convey and align everything you say and do with that brand.

If I hadn’t been in the room when the senior leaders were discussing Theresa, they would have decided to select another candidate for the opportunity. 

It’s critical to manage your brand proactively if you want to create opportunities in your career. 

What are they saying about you behind closed doors?

Wishing you the best!

Registration is OPEN for Group Coaching for Women.
The next cohort begins on April 6th and is limited to 10 seats. Register by St. Patrick’s Day to receive a BONUS individual coaching session with your enrollment.

Contact me with your questions about individual coaching, group coaching, talent development, and speaking engagements.