10 Authentic Ways to Better Position Yourself

Very often, I work with high achieving people who feel frustrated with where they are today. For one reason or another, they feel they have been overlooked for the promotions or projects they want, despite the fact that they are talented, hard working and have much untapped potential.

When the client and I look closely at what is going on that has them being overlooked, I consistently see 10 things missing from their performance and mindset in the office.

If you’re looking for a promotion in the next 6-12 months, here are 10 things you can do to better position yourself.

1. Know Who You Are and Your Super Powers

As an employee, one of the most valuable things you can bring to the table is a thorough understanding of what you have to offer. Everyone is gifted in different arenas. Get clear on what gifts you have to offer, and begin to identify moments when you can put those gifts into action.

2. Explore Your Why and Your Passion

Have you ever noticed that when you’re passionate about something it feels effortless? That’s because the passion is somehow connecting to your deeper ‘Why.’ A great resource for exploring your ‘Why’ is Simon Sinek’s Start with Why. When you know why you’re doing something, the passion will come naturally.

3. Identify How You Want to Be as a Leader

There are many different kinds of leadership. Although in American culture, we tend to more highly value a dynamic, action-oriented leader, that is not how leadership always has to look. Some great leaders are quietly thoughtful. Identify how you best lead (for some help with this step, click HERE).

4. Own Who You Truly Are

In the workplace, we often feel like it’s not okay to share our emotional state. The fact is, we are all well-rounded people with families and lives outside the office! When you can own this fact and come to work as you truly are, your relationships within the workplace will quickly flourish.

5. Know What You Want and Communicate it Clearly

Sometimes it can be difficult to communicate exactly what we want in the workplace without feeling like we’re being pushy or demanding. The good news is, there is a way to clearly express your needs without bulldozing others. In fact, here’s a wonderful resource I recommend.

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6. Take Actions as the Leader You Want to Be

Even if you’re not in an executive position yet, your role as a leader begins now. On a daily basis, evaluate your actions and determine whether or not they are the actions you would take if you were already in that executive position.

7. Understand the Vision of Your Organization and Be Clear on How You can Serve It

During the hiring process, your company identified you to be a great match for their vision. Make a point to clearly understand the vision of the company, your department and your team so you can better serve that vision and take aligned action.

8. Speak Up and Be the Solution

When you start embracing your gifts and taking actions as the leader you want to be with a clear understanding of the vision of the company, you’ll begin to identify where and when you have a valuable contribution to make. In these moments, speak up! The company hired you because you ARE valuable. Your voice matters!

9. Serve Others, Your Team and Your Organization

There’s a difference between coming from a place of wanting to better the company and coming from a place of solely wanting to better your status within the company. No matter how competitive your office environment may feel, if you can authentically come from a place of contribution, you will be noticed for it.

10. Truly Connect with Others by Being Your Authentic Self and Nurture Better Relationships Within Your Workplace

Don’t be afraid to share yourself openly with your co-workers; there’s no fear in creating meaningful relationships with them. After all, these are the people you spend hours with each day! Allow yourself to be seen for who you truly are, and others will open up to you, as well.

If you’re interested in learning key steps to be more promotable today, click HERE to download my complimentary 10 Steps to Position Yourself for Your Next Promotion Visual Map.

When you follow these 10 steps, you’ll transform from being an overlooked and unhappy employee to being a valuable leader that your colleagues and superiors cannot help but to notice. You will also feel more contentment and satisfaction in work and in your workplace.

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Nozomi Morgan, MBA, is a certified Executive Coach, contributor to Huffington Post and Forbes.com and CEO of Michiki Morgan Worldwide LLC. Addition to coaching, she speaks and trains on diversity leadership, career, professional development and cross-cultural communication with a focus on Japanese business culture and practices.

Nozomi’s clients have a yen for international business, to be successful in the global marketplace. Her work includes coaching and training professionals from all over the world — from C-suite executives to up-and-coming managers. She also works with multinational teams within global corporations to overcome the tension and frustration that can naturally arise from cultural differences.

Her diverse international background—having lived, studied and worked in Asia, Europe and North America—gives her a wealth of experience and knowledge as a coach, speaker and mentor. Born and raised in Japan, she values integrity, professionalism, and respect, all of which are tenets of her deeply ingrained heritage.

Visit www.nozomimorgan.com to learn more about Nozomi. There, you can download the free Leadership Discovery Tool.