Make your mark! Find your mastermind, don’t be a leaker, and avoid the disruption.

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: Find your mastermind.

Recently I was invited to attend a “Mastermindˮ event in which a group of 60 entrepreneurs had gathered, looking to leverage their ideas and experience. Being a product of corporate America, I was unaware that there are thousands of such gatherings every year.

Napoleon Hill wrote the book Think and Grow Rich where this concept was discussed in depth. His theory was that two or more people collaborating on a specific problem could create a “third mindˮ that could be a powerful way to approach tough problems. Hill also advocated having a personal board of directors – his concept was more notional, recommending using historical figures you admire to consider what they might think of your goals and approaches, but think of both of these concepts as ways to pursue smart friends, mentors, and advisors to coach you along as you pursue your personal goals.

Getting perspective from smart, experienced people is always productive.

Reputation: Lock it up.

Don’t be leaky. Leakers get exposed eventually. I experienced many confidential meetings on a multitude of subjects through the years, with the highest stakes subjects being restructuring and layoffs. Each time those present would agree to keep the topics confidential until certain milestones.

Sadly, in many cases, word got out that something was coming, causing undue worry to many. Someone present would confide in a work friend, and of course that person would do the same, and so on. In most of these cases it became obvious who was leaking and it hurt their reputation. Donʼt take that risk. Reject the temptation. Be known as a vault.

Results: Disruption or Disrespect? Know the Difference.

Sometimes we believe, especially leaders, that hiring a disruptor into our organization can be a good thing. They question established practices and can bring new thinking. Some who are called disruptors really are just jerks, mercenaries, and malcontents.

Bosses: know the difference and cut your disruptor loose if they are causing more trouble than driving new thinking.

All others: keep your distance and minimize the trust you place in anyone demonstrating jerk behaviors.

Your Quick Take Clip!

Find your mastermind. That could be a mentor or sponsor, but find the connection, grow the relationship, and use that to pursue your goals and career ambitions.

Avoid the leaky gossipers, stay clear of those that seek to disrupt, and focus on those that encourage, inspire, and support your career journey.

Find your mentors and sponsors!

#ThatsWhatSteveSaid

“Remove the disruption and redesign work intentionality. On every engagement survey where employees rate the company, I’d add one more question after each category: ’And what have you done about it?’ - It takes two - employer and employee - to tango.”

Steve offers his insight on how organizations have created disruption and how to remedy this so that employee engagement doesn’t fall victim.