FINDING A PATRON

If I work hard and do good work, my work will speak for itself, right?

WRONG!...Well, not all the time.

In our competitive corporate landscape, most should know by now that hard work alone isn't always enough to unlock your full career potential.??

A patron – a colleague in Senior Management who actively advocates for your career growth – can be a powerful catalyst for advancement.?

While open self-promotion may not be the cup of tea for many, strategically developing relationships with the right Patron can significantly impact your trajectory with an emphasis on long-term benefits.

The Story of Iris…

I came across the account of Iris some years ago. Iris was a senior manager when she came onboard the company. She was not technically strong in the operations or noted for being able to develop or train staff.?

However, she was smart, strategically sociable, & excellent in business development & networking. She was able to talk on her feet & pivot situations around.

She started volunteering for all the company events that were generally shunned by other staff as it was deemed as “CCA” and extra work that didn’t count towards performance goals.?

However, as she organised all these events throughout the year, she would be asked to update senior management at their meetings on the event updates. She would also insert herself as the emcee for these events and email senior leaders on aspects of the events that they were involved in.?

She was noticed by senior management and had created a certain presence and consistency that senior leaders would remember her.

Over the years it was obvious she was favoured by the senior leaders as Iris found favour with the senior partner. The senior partner was an older female leader that many said treated Iris like her own daughter. Eventually, the senior partner would lunch with her personally and even invite her over to her home for dinner on occasions.

In time to come, it was known in the firm that Iris could do no wrong and she was promoted every year in quick succession as she had found her sponsor. There were others who over-achieved in their KPIs and performance targets by margins far greater than Iris, but because Iris had the backing of her sponsor, when it came to promotions, she was the natural candidate.

To be fair, Iris was not poor or sloppy in her work, she was quite sharp, but when it came to sales targets and goals, she was not the highest or the best. But that didn’t seem to matter as she had developed a strong relationship with her sponsor.?

Understanding Patronage

So what is a patron or sponsor? Some call it your “fairy Godmother” in the office. Think of a patron or sponsor as your champion within the organisation. They'll highlight your skills & contributions to those in key decision-making roles.?

Unlike a mentor who focuses on personal development, a patron actively promotes you for new opportunities & advancements. Building this type of relationship requires initiative, mutual respect, & a focus on demonstrating your value.

Identifying Potential Patrons

Start by carefully observing your office dynamics, and it will vary from organisation to organisation.

• Firstly, Don't Overlook Your Own Supervisor: A strong working relationship with your direct supervisor can be a powerful form of patronage.
• Direct & Indirect Supporters: Consider those one or two levels above you, close enough to see your potential yet influential enough to open doors. Additionally, strong allies in other departments can boost your stature & advocate for you in key situations or promotion conversations.
• Influential Leaders: Seek respected individuals who hold sway over decisions & have a reputation for nurturing talent. Target those aligned with your career goals, whether it's within your field or in leadership positions relevant to your aspirations.

Build Trust & Reputation

Finding the right patron requires a strategic mindset.

• Focus on Excellence: Become undeniably good at what you do. This is the foundation for any potential patron to see you as worthy of championing.
• Network Strategically: Attend cross-functional meetings or committees for visibility. Offer genuine appreciation for a potential patron's leadership.
• It's a Two-Way Street: Choose your potential patron wisely. Look for those with ethical reputations & who align with your values.

Building the Relationship:?

• Respect the Culture: Building strong relationships takes time. Attend workplace social events, but prioritise adding value over aggressively pushing your agenda. Be particularly mindful of gender dynamics, maintaining professionalism at all times.

• Strategic Support: Find ways to support your potential patron within reason. Offer insights, help with research, or lighten their workload where appropriate.

• Become Invaluable: Before seeking favours, showcase your value by consistently delivering excellent work & developing a niche area of expertise. Be the go-to person who solves problems, not just identifies them.

The story of Iris demonstrates that technical expertise alone isn't always the deciding factor in career success. While everyone’s story is indeed unique, hard work is essential to start with while you proactively seek a patron that can unlock doors you didn't know existed.

While hard work is essential, navigating the corporate world requires strategic thinking. Remember, it's not about manipulation but about building genuine connections built on mutual respect and value exchange.

Are you ready to explore the benefits of patronage??

• Who within your organisation could be a potential patron?
• What could you do to start building a relationship with them?
• How can you continuously elevate your work to attract their attention?

Don't wait for opportunities to find you. By being proactive, strategic, and relentlessly delivering value in your work, you set the stage for a patron to emerge and propel your career forward.

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