Career Champions - People who Speak Up for Us

PART 1: At a Talent Review Meeting

"I don't know AP" said one of the leaders

"Yes, me too. I never got to work with him."

"This is a big role. Is he up to it?"

A VP said, "Yes he is. We worked together on project B. He demonstrated the 3 most important qualities needed for this role: make an objective assessment, stay calm and fair under pressure, deep understanding of the market. Here are examples of when he ...

The candidate got the job. His boss helped because he included his name on the shortlist. But if the VP had not spoken up, AP would not have been selected.

With his profile raised, one decision-maker started championing his career. AP performs very well in his new role. Hence he gets a bigger role and more decision-makers are exposed to him. The more decision-makers know him, the more recognition he gets. The more recognition he gets, the bigger his assignments and the more decision-makers know him. A virtuous cycle is created- success begets more success.

You must always perform but if the right person doesn't know how good you are, then there is no one to speak on your behalf.

So engage decision-makers. Some may think you are compromising, others say you are adapting. Their views matter little cause the only person you are accountable to is yourself.

It's your career, your decision!

PART 2: At a Leadership class in GE

Years back, I was in a GE leadership course taught by Jack Welch.

We were in an auditorium called the "pit", a place where ego and rank are placed aside and candid debates happen.

Welch reminded, “GE leaders don't WISH or HOPE, we make it happen!”

I was in the front row. Welch looks me in the eyeball and demanded, "David, you will be a GE leader right!!!”

I thought I was having a heart attack. I managed an “I hope so Jack”. I should have bellowed "YOU BET JACK!!!"

Never mind, GE has over 300,000 employees then. Who knows when we would meet again?

Four weeks later, I meet Jack in Jakarta.

Never mind, he can't remember me.

Jack said “Hi David.” “Shucks", he remembered!

I came to the paranoia driven conclusion that Jack was going to fire me!

Three days later, GE CEOs had lunch with Jack. He asked about me.

The CEOs spoke up for me. "We told Jack you delivered big time!”

Several days later my boss called. "Jack said you are getting the job done in Asia."

Six months later I was heading to New York for a US assignment so I could get promoted to lead leadership development in Asia-Pacific.

You need to perform every day. But performance alone won't accelerate a career. Without the GE CEOs sharing my performance with Jack, who knew what would happen.

People say I am lucky, but if you don't perform and don't have a network supporting you, your luck will always be bad.

Your work cannot speak for itself – only people can speak on your behalf.

Who is speaking up on your behalf?