As an executive leader, you want to show your senior stakeholders that you are a valuable and impactful contributor to the organization's goals and vision. But how do you demonstrate your worth and influence without sounding arrogant or self-promoting? Here are some tips to help you build rapport, communicate effectively, and showcase your results with senior leaders.
One of the first steps to demonstrate your value and impact is to align your goals with the strategic priorities and expectations of your senior stakeholders. This means understanding their vision, challenges, needs, and preferences, and aligning your own objectives, initiatives, and metrics accordingly. By doing this, you show that you are on the same page, that you support their agenda, and that you can deliver outcomes that matter to them.
Transparency is the key here.. This is where you don't want to guess, you have to ask questions and act on those insights. Start by: - Checking in with a leadership team member on top priorities for the month, quarter, year - Create a plan and check in to make sure you are aligned with your goals and aspirations - Deliver a great outcome, there is nothing that makes you stand out more than delivering on your ideas
> align with business objectives > quantifying results > sharing a compelling story > regular communication & proactive actions > collaborate with cross functional teams > building relationships > staying current & sharing insights > seek feedback & action it > developing thought leadership
Another key factor to demonstrate your value and impact is to communicate regularly and proactively with your senior stakeholders. This means keeping them informed of your progress, achievements, challenges, and insights, and seeking their feedback and input. By doing this, you show that you are transparent, accountable, and collaborative, and that you value their perspective and expertise. You also create opportunities to build trust, rapport, and credibility with them.
This is the key aspect to show your value and brings forth your personality traits. When you communicate regularly, it helps the leadership to understand how well you are aligned with both project goals and organization's objectives. The way you communicate and present your findings, progress and insights regularly builds a cadence in trusting your work, value of you undertaking it and your charater as a whole to stay committed.
You cannot be checking in enough.. Whether that is directly or just observing what the leadership is doing in their day to day... What do they care about? What are their priorities? How are you providing value to the company and them at the same time? Often we get caught up with our passion projects and we miss the opportunity that is easy wins that create massive value for the organization.
A third way to demonstrate your value and impact is to showcase your results and achievements in a clear and compelling way. This means highlighting the benefits and outcomes of your work, not just the activities and outputs. It also means using data, evidence, and stories to back up your claims, and linking them to the strategic goals and priorities of your senior stakeholders. By doing this, you show that you are results-oriented, data-driven, and impactful, and that you can make a positive difference to the organization.
Be a great presenter! Whether this is in a small Loom video, an actual meeting, or just a voice message. You can build a story around the results that you have delivered on and find yourself gaining more projects in the meantime.
A fourth way to demonstrate your value and impact is to seek feedback and improvement from your senior stakeholders. This means asking for their opinions, suggestions, and recommendations on how you can improve your performance, skills, and impact. It also means acting on their feedback, implementing their ideas, and showing your progress and learning. By doing this, you show that you are humble, open-minded, and eager to grow, and that you respect and appreciate their guidance and support.
A fifth way to demonstrate your value and impact is to leverage your strengths and unique contributions as an executive leader. This means identifying and showcasing your areas of expertise, passion, and differentiation, and how they add value to the organization and its stakeholders. It also means finding and creating opportunities to apply and share your strengths, and to collaborate with others who complement them. By doing this, you show that you are confident, authentic, and valuable, and that you can bring something special to the table.
Know what you are good at and what you need help with... It's okay to ask for help and seek a skillset that is different than yours. That is what makes leaders great! They know exactly what they are strong at and what they need assistance with as well. Leverage those strengths and spend more time on those items than time on items you may not be as great at.
A sixth way to demonstrate your value and impact is to advocate for your team and their achievements. This means recognizing and celebrating their efforts, successes, and learnings, and giving them credit and visibility. It also means supporting their development, empowerment, and engagement, and addressing their challenges and needs. By doing this, you show that you are a leader, not a boss, and that you care about your team and their impact.
Be a team player! You didn't cross the finish line yourself... Everyone knows it, so you might as well give the appreciation to your team while you are at it! A true win is one that comes from a team not an individual. If your team is winning so are you.