Tee it up for success! Go on the outings, follow up, and find that new thing.

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.

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

Relationships: Roadtrip? Let's all go!

Golfing offsite? Go. Iʼve never been good at golf, although there have been rare moments of competence and real contributions during scrambles. I managed to rise from horrific to pretty bad during my career. I had one rule about golf: if everyone else is going, so am I.

My early bosses wanted me out there and thatʼs where the networking and fun was. I went. Sometimes there was beer. I recommend you go, even if you just ride around on the beverage cart or accompany a scramble foursome and donʼt even hit. Why? That is where relationships will be built and the key executives will be. Yes you can take the spa option, but youʼll be passing on the opportunity to connect.

Reputation: Follow up, even if it's been ages.

When we network and we are also busy with jobs and life, itʼs easy to let go of things we committed to. That article link you said youʼd send, that connection you promised to make, or that funny reel you discussed sharing – it fell off your to do list somehow.

It seems like this is more acceptable now than it has ever been – just blowing off small commitments. Donʼt be that person. Even if itʼs been weeks and weeks, and you are embarrassed, do the follow up when you finally think of it. These small building blocks lead to a solid foundation of integrity to be known for.

Results: That New Thing.

Aside from AI, do you know what that new thing is in your work space, discipline, or function? Are you tuned into the specific industry news for your job? Do you have an opinion on whether that new thing is worthy of exploring?

In my old HR space, there was a new thing coming constantly from payroll to recruiting to training and I always tried to understand whether it was worthy of pursuit, or just hype/vaporware. Go find those new things.

Your Quick Take Clip!

Just do it. Go on the company outing. Make the effort to follow up. Discover what that new thing is.

Put yourself in a position to join in - don’t isolate. If you make the choice to join in you develop real relationships and those are what will set you up for continued career success.