The 4 Most Powerful Ways to Be More Successful
More than 75 percent of our clients at Newberry Executive Solutions get promotions, and today I want to let you in on some of the strategies that consistently help them succeed. Choose one of these areas to focus on right now. Then, as you master each strategy, pick a new area for growth and development.
- Focus on the Right Work
You face constant demands for your time and attention every day. This means you have to be intentional about making sure the “right work” gets done. To get to the heart of this, identify your “Big 3“, the three areas where you should focus to have the biggest impact on the business. It probably comes as no surprise that there’s often a gap between what leaders should be doing and what they actually do. To determine if that’s true for you, track your schedule for a week or two to see if the way you’re spending your time aligns with your Big 3 priorities, and be sure to validate your Big 3 with your manager.
- Understand Your Value
The most successful leaders do more than get results. They also know how they get those results. This is something that a lot of leaders overlook, but it makes a huge difference. By taking some time to understand how you accomplish what you do, you can more effectively leverage your strengths and repeat your successes. You’ll also do a better job of giving others “strategic snapshots” of your performance, which helps them appreciate your value and opens up new opportunities.
- Thrive Without Feedback
At one time or another, you will have a boss who fails to give you meaningful feedback. But you can’t let that stand in the way of your growth, development and career advancement. Do what you can to open up communication with your boss, clarify expectations and share your results (always tying everything back to your desire to advance business goals). Sometimes simply sharing a self-assessment with your boss can make it easier for him or her to comment on your performance. If your boss still doesn’t say much, reach out to others you trust to give you candid feedback and seek insights and advice from peers or mentors.
- Make Time to Network
When it comes to networking, even high performers frequently miss the mark. They know (in theory, at least) that a strong network helps them achieve results and supports their success, but then they keep their heads down working hard and neglect to invest time to build relationships. Networking isn’t something to squeeze in if you have time (i.e., “nice to have”). It’s a vital part of your job. In just 15 minutes per week to take consistent action, you can make solid headway. In that time, you can send a quick email about an event or article of interest, make an introduction, ask for advice or input, or informally drop by someone’s office. Every little bit helps keep your relationships strong.
Ready to Take Your Success to the Next Level?
You can learn more about these strategies and many others in my award-winning WOW! Women On the Way to Peak Performance Program. Available in self-paced and facilitated versions, it’s one of the best investments you can make in your future.
10 Years of Purpose, Presence and Power
This week we’re wrapping up our celebration of the 10th anniversary of Newberry Executive Solutions. In that time, we’ve helped countless leaders get raises, get promotions and amplify their impact through our products and services. To say thank you for your ongoing support, I’ve been sharing a special series of blog posts with some of the most powerful insights I’ve gained through 10 years of executive coaching (and 16 years in business before that). Catch up on past posts from the series below:
Part 1: Build a confident executive presence
Part 2: What your boss won’t tell you (but you need to know)
Part 3: How to communicate like a strategic leader
Part 4: Go from frazzled to in control
Part 5: Save time and be more efficient
