Promotable and Fireproof
Your source for quick, actionable advice on maximizing your potential in the age of
fast change, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and uncertainty.
Read time: 3 min.
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Steve Degnan here, Advisor Board Member
and former Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO).
Relationships, Reputation and Results
are what I see as the driving forces in becoming
Promotable and Fireproof.
Let’s dig in to some quick take advice to make this real.
I’m glad you’re here. Let’s go!
Learn more on SteveDegnan.com |
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Relationships: Show Up, Participate, Celebrate! |
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I became increasingly amazed as the years went by in my role as a CHRO at the number of people who would just opt out of attending any special company events (in a highly engaged, winning company). I remember as a young army officer, some of the most memorable times we had were at “Hail and Farewell” events, where new officers were welcomed and departing officers feted and roasted.
The events often had themes and were emotional, hilarious, and good fun. Culture was being built, along with strong personal bonds. You cannot have strong bonds with people if your only interaction is over email, zoom, or discussing the latest work issue. If your organization has an in-person event, make an effort to show up. |
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Reputation: You Need to Fit. |
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Cultural fit in an organization is a real factor when it comes to promotions and advancement. We like to believe merit and talent trump all other issues, but in the end that old saying attributed to Peter Drucker that “culture eats strategy for breakfast” is true, and you might add “and then it knocks off several plates of talent for lunch!”
Being an outlier when it comes to behavior will stop career advancement, although the outlier may be tolerated if they deliver on performance. This goes back to self-awareness, discussed in an earlier newsletter. Know when you don’t fit and begin looking for the next gig. Constant feelings of “not clicking” with those around you might be your initial clue. |
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Results: Leave it better than you found it. |
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This is a great life principle. While CHRO I always enjoyed meeting with our new college recruits who were beginning an 18 month training rotation. Often they’d ask if there was any chance to accelerate out of the rotation and move up faster. My answer was, “Nothing is impossible: focus on leaving every area you rotate through better than you found it.”
Most found that just learning what needed to be learned was a big challenge, but you get the point. Where ever you are, love it or hate it, whether you are staying or going, make your little piece of the pie better than you found it. You will be known for that.
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Until next week!
Steve
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