Looking for a new position is challenging as we know it, however, retaining one’s position in the perpetual fluid workplace can be just as tough. Fortunately, there are strategies that you can put into place, starting today, that will offer you increased value to your organization while simultaneously building your marketability for potential new opportunities. Executive leaders and tenured individual contributors can benefit from building a comprehensive plan with in under 30-minutes.
The key to succeeding with this plan, however, requires a daily commitment to working the outlined tactics.
Step One:
Stop playing the fear-based tape recording that is holding you back. Dismiss any and all negativity from your environment including those in your workplace. Seek out individuals with supportive inner dialogue who are willing to have outer dialogue. Surround yourself with fewer positive and encouraging individuals vs. a plethora of “needy Nellie’s.”
Start making a list of your accomplishments that you achieved in the past six months paying particular attention to the financial value that you added. E.g. Reduced labor cost by 30% while improving overall productivity.
Jot down your behavioral competencies in a few words to document “how” you achieved your goal. Busy executives tend to dismiss their behavioral attributes and focus on the end result. However, “how” you achieved your achievements are as important as the bottom line.
If you are unsure of your leadership competencies, research and invest in a system that your organization has in place. Your organizational development department or HR Director can provide you with information surrounding the in-house system that is used to calibrate talent. My professional recommendation is the Lominger System by Korn Ferry.
Achievement
Reduced labor cost by 30%, increased productivity through introducing new technology which streamlined output.
Core Competencies (*Lominger System/Korn Ferry)
Developing Teams | Managing Vision & Purpose | Intellectual Horsepower | Innovation
“Executives and tenured employees often find themselves charged with excessive responsibilities and have neglected their own plans.”
Step Two:
Make a list of internal volunteer projects, affinity groups, or non-position related projects that you have immersed yourself in. Your volunteer or community involvement projects are a value add to your workplace portfolio. Not involved in any company-wide extracurricular groups, projects, or task forces? Consider starting one or joining one. Have an interest in technology? Join or start a FIRST Robotics group in your organization.
Chronicle your start date, your role, and your achievements as you do your OTJ scorecard. E.g. Achievement: Mentored FIRST Robotics team from start-up to competing at Nationals ranking #4 overall out of 75 teams. Behavior: Mentored | Team Development | Problem Solving | Managed Conflict
Step Three:
Engage other likeminded colleagues, peer executives, or subordinates in your organization. By doing so, you are establishing yourself not only as a leader but as an altruistic contributor to the greater good of the organization and to the community.
Taking ownership of saving your position requires a functional plan and commitment. Choose projects, affinity groups, or community outreach where you are excited, challenged, and of value. Most of all, track your leadership, skills, achievements and behaviors so that you are incorporating these successes into your overall mid-year and year-end performance evaluation.
What you do today, will result in where you end up one year from now.
