What do you do if your superiors are unaware of your accomplishments and contributions?

Make Your Mark: Getting Noticed by Your Superior Here's how to ensure your superior recognizes your accomplishment and contributions: Shine a Light on Successes: Did you crush a project or solve a tough problem? Share your wins with your superior via e-mail, meetings, or performance reviews. Highlight the impact of your work. Build Bridges: Invest in building a positive relationship with your superior. The better they understand your skills and value, the more likely they are to recognize your achievements. Leverage Your Network: Consider seeking support from mentors or colleagues who can champion your accomplishments to your superiors. By proactively showcasing your contributions, you'll increase your visibility.

Additionally, make it a habit to record your achievements in one place. It could be anywhere: a notepad in the cloud, your email inbox, or even a self-created group (you are the sole participant) in MS Teams/Slack. I used to have a custom folder inside my inbox. If my achievement was in the form of an appreciation email (from clients, peers, vendors), I would move it there. If it was not in an email, I would take a screenshot of it (e.g., a Remedy ticket, external portal) and send it as an email to myself before moving it to the appreciation folder. The idea is not to wait until the year-end appraisal to start thinking about your achievements. We are only human and we tend to forget things! It's better to keep track of them as they happen.

The strategy that I've been following is: 1. Proactively communicate achievements using concrete metrics and impact analysis 2. Advocate for regular performance reviews or one-on-one meetings with superiors 3. Align accomplishments with organizational goals 4. Seek opportunities to participate in cross-functional projects or present findings in team meetings 5. Ensure visibility and recognition for contributions 6. Foster a culture of appreciation and collaboration toward shared success

If my superiors are unaware of my accomplishments and contributions, I would proactively communicate with them. I'd schedule a meeting to discuss my recent achievements, highlighting the impact on the team or organization. Additionally, I'd provide documentation or evidence of my contributions, such as project reports, performance metrics, or positive feedback from colleagues or clients. It's important to frame the conversation in a way that emphasizes how my efforts have added value and aligned with the company's goals

If your superiors are unaware of your accomplishments and contributions, start by tracking your successes meticulously. Document every project you've undertaken, the solutions you've implemented, and the positive impact they've had on the organization. This record not only helps you understand your own value but also provides tangible evidence of your contributions. When opportunities arise, such as performance reviews or meetings, use this documentation to effectively communicate your achievements. Additionally, setting specific, measurable goals for yourself allows you to demonstrate continuous progress and further showcase your value to your superiors.

Understand how your leaders prefer to consume information... ask them, directly. For some leaders, a punch-list of highlights in a bi-weekly check-in is ideal; others may want to see a running tally build (shared file) throughout the year; still others would prefer to "see" you in action - consider inviting them to a sprint review or functional demo before a major release. Be mindful though: in seeking to have your accomplishments made visible that you don't undercut another. Stealing someone else's spotlight won't make yours shine brighter... you'll more likely get burned.

Please note, seniors/leaders generally won't downplay your contributions (exceptions exist, but I speak generally). They're busy with their targets and may seem to overlook your achievements. Similarly, they might unintentionally miss your recent accomplishments. Therefore, it's your responsibility to communicate your contributions to your reporting officer. Consider two things: 1. Avoid excessive follow-ups; set a fixed schedule like once every quarter to share your thoughts (if your org lacks quarterly reviews). 2. Be genuinely interested in retrospection; list your areas for improvement and provide clear plan on how are you trying to improve. I am saying this from my experience, honesty like this adds weight to your achievements.

Absolutely, clear communication is pivotal in ensuring that your superiors are informed about your contributions. Rather than waiting for annual reviews, proactively schedule regular check-ins with your boss to discuss your projects and progress. Utilize these opportunities to present your documented achievements and illustrate how they align with the company's objectives. When discussing your work, emphasize the impact and benefits to the organization, highlighting your strategic value to the team and company as a whole. This approach not only keeps your superiors informed but also reinforces your significance within the organization.

Connecting with superiors regularly on your performance monitoring. Seeking the help on the necessary times. Present your work / performance to the superior and take the feedback. Out of the box thinking while your superior needs any suggestions.

Seeking feedback from your superiors is a proactive strategy to ensure they are aware of your contributions. Request input on your performance and its alignment with the organization's objectives, demonstrating your commitment to personal growth and ongoing improvement. When receiving feedback, use it constructively to enhance your performance and emphasize areas where you have excelled. These feedback sessions provide an opportunity to discuss your accomplishments and ensure they are duly recognized, helping to keep you on your superior's radar and reinforce your value within the organization.