It’s a common piece of feedback that many aspiring partners or directors will get told. In a professional services organisation, having a good profile leads to getting onto the plum assignments and being first in line for any promotions. But what does it mean, and how do you go about increasing your profile?
Very simply a lack of profile means two things, either you are not visible to senior management for the right reason, or you are perceived to not have a strong internal (or external) network.
So how do you go about improving your ‘profile’?
1. Put your head above the parapet
Very simply, if you get into work, and keep your head down and chomp through your work, your profile will suffer. A visible profile is more than just doing a good job. Many part-timers, or people who have to leave work at a certain time, often fall into this trap. In a worst case scenario, this behaviour often leaves you at risk of being on the wrong side of a re-shuffle or reorganisation. If you believe that I am exaggerating, think about how many part-timers or people on maternity leave are made redundant in reorganisations or head count reduction initiatives. Make sure you allocate some of your time to networking internally, whether this is by stopping by a few people for a chat, or planning to meet colleagues for lunch.
2. Volunteer
One of the best ways to expand your internal (and external) network is to volunteer for high profile or cross department assignments.
3. Talk to senior management
So many people put senior management up on a pedestal, or decide that ‘they are too important to want to talk with me’. Your boss’s boss has a big impact on your career – so why take the risk and be an unknown to him or her?
One of the times that you will be exposed to senior management is in big staff briefings, workshops or communication sessions. Do be brave and be prepared to diplomatically express your real views – particularly when tough questions are being asked, e.g. how good is morale at the moment?
4. Use your lunch times
Your lunch breaks are a great time to expand and maintain your internal company network. Make sure you do take a lunch break, but use it to have lunch with someone. Don’t fall into the trap of having lunch with the same people each day, or rushing through a sandwich at your desk.
5. Contribute
There are normally many ways for you to contribute to your organisation. This could be standing on the social committee, supplying articles for the company newsletter or intranet, organising a corporate social responsibility initiative etc.
6. Attend firm social events
You need to turn up to company or firm social events – whether this is informal drinks after work, or a big company summer party.
7. Attend meetings
Meetings can be a huge waste of your time. However, they are a great way of being seen for the right reasons – particularly if you contribute positively to the debate.
8. Be positive and enthusiastic
Most people like working with positive and enthusiastic people – and want them to be part of their team. Wouldn’t you like to be first in line when people are picking teams? Be careful not to cultivate a negative reputation – e.g. for moaning, finding problems but not suggesting solutions etc
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2 Comments
Having worked for a local council for almost exactly 13 years (before I knew better) – Your post sounds horrifically familiar.
The thought of going to lunch with someone else was almost like having an affair (gay or straight..)
Thank Jonathan. In my previous organisation, I found to my cost what having a limited profile within my own department meant… It is always worth allocating 10% of your time to internal networking.