How on earth can this be happening? Simon of all people. Getting promoted?! And Nigel is the one giving it. It sounds like a cruel joke, but it’s happening.

Why Simon? He takes credit for other people’s work, is obnoxious, and has an IQ of about 10. 

What’s he doing that you aren’t?  

Making himself visible. And that’s what matters. 

Good old-fashioned elbow grease won’t cut it in an ever-so-competitive workplace. You need to stand out, you need to be seen.

Today’s edition is on all things visibility, so you can get ahead of those other befuddled grads and earn your first promotion.

Own Your Work

The days of Simon taking credit for your work are over. Because every time he does, he steals a visibility opportunity from you.

You need to publicly take credit for your work, otherwise someone else will.

Let’s pretend you’re in a meeting and Simon’s stealing your thunder for a report you’ve written. What do you say?

“To clarify what Simon just said, Simon and I worked on this project together. He conducted the preliminary research and I compiled it into the report that you’re seeing now.”

That’s all you need. It’s not antagonistic or passive-aggressive. Just state the facts.

Ask, “How Can I Support My Coworkers?”

There’s a balancing act here.

For every act of self-promotion, try to balance it out with one that supports a colleague.

Why?

Because you want to show higher-ups that you not only work well with others but care about their success.

Maybe you end up landing a project with another team and can showcase your skills to a new manager or leader. Now they’re giving you praise. It’s like you’re compounding your visibility.

Companies want leaders who care about their team, the direction they are going, and the company as a whole.

So show them that leader is you.

Ask, “How Can I Support My Leader?”

This is who you should make a point to support. 

Your current manager has influence. Help them, and they’ll speak about you to other managers with influence.

That goes a long way.

Think of it like reputational economies of scale.

Figure out their goals, desires, and the direction they want to take the team in, then do everything you can to help them achieve that.

Maybe you provide them with a little extra data or some analysis that helps them with a query.

Perhaps you simply offer new ideas.

And no, it doesn’t matter how good or bad they are. Just because you’re a grad doesn’t mean you can’t contribute.

A good manager will appreciate and recognize your effort to contribute rather than scrutinize the quality of the idea.

You’ll showcase initiative, creativity, and competence that extends well beyond your competitors (other grads).

Build Your Personal Brand

We’re not saying to become some Linkedin dickhead talking about what his Zinger burger taught him about sales.

Think of a personal brand as perception. Everyone has one, like it or not, especially at work.

We all act in unique ways and in consequence, are perceived differently by others.

Simon, for example, is a knob.

Ask yourself how you want your colleagues to perceive you.

Who are you, what do you stand for, what are your values, what are your accomplishments, and how do you differ from your competitors?

Let’s say you follow the tips in this email. You own your work, support your colleagues, go the extra mile for your boss, etc. People associate you with proactivity, initiative, and competency. They’re going to speak about you. This is visibility.

You want to etch yourself into the minds of decision-makers so that when the time for promotion comes, you’re a natural choice.

So work to build your personal brand in a way that enables opportunity and subsequently, more visibility.

You’ll thank yourself.

That’s it, cya.