A New Beginning

My morning routine has always been to spend some time in quiet reflection and though this morning seemed no different, indeed it was.  Yesterday, a dear friend of mine informed me that he did not receive a promotion that he had coveted for a very long time.  He called seeking some advice.  "What should I do now?" Good question to ponder...

When someone earns a position that you believe should have gone to you, how do you handle yourself?  Do you throw your support behind the new boss or leader or do you quietly criticize and undermine his or her authority?  Do you recognize that for some reason, known or unknown to you, the new boss has something that company leadership believes to be valuable to the future of the organization? Do you try to get to know the new boss a little better so you might learn what this value might be?

The new boss needs your support to achieve the organization’s objectives.  Once you recognize this, you must become an ally and supporter.  As such, you will be someone who works in support of the company’s goals and objectives.  This support can position you in a favorable light to those who have influence over your career.  This doesn’t mean that you become a “yes” man or woman blindly agreeing with everything the new boss suggests; after all, as a wise friend and mentor once told me, if you agree with the boss on everything then apparently one of you doesn’t need to be there.  Your perspective adds value and your support can also include disagreeing in a respectful and diplomatic manner.

But at the end of the day in the corporate world, as in politics, the military and government, the boss is the boss; he or she is the one who will ultimately be held accountable.   Your job includes making sure you do what you can to help him or her succeed because your career success is ultimately tied to the organization’s success.

I suggested this to my friend and though he was disappointed, he also seemed to instinctively understand that he had a few things to learn about the game of work.  How's your game? 

Think about it….

Linda

P.S. More tips about playing the game of work can be found in Brown-nosing 101: A career survival manual for the rest of us.  You can pick it up here.