Unveiled: Investing in Relationship Currency
Performance currency gets you only part of the way to your goals
The age-old proverb goes, “You reap what you sow”. When we think of the factors critical for career advancement, we are conditioned to believe that if we perform, our work will get noticed, our capabilities recognized and we will continue to be tapped for opportunities that further our progression. But what is typically missing from that equation is the power of relationships.
Workplaces are highly political environments where decisions about who gets ahead, who gets more compensation, and who gets access to scarce resources are not based on performance alone. As you think of investing in your career, remember to gather different types of currencies. Performance currency will only get you so far. Relationship currency is going to be the differentiating factor - you need people who advocate for you, especially when decisions are being made about you and you are not there.
While one might mistakenly think of spending time on building relationships worthwhile only when we enjoy that time as a relaxation, that’s where the mindset shift needs to happen. Strategic networking is not a substitute for socializing. You need to treat it with as much discipline as you would treat your work, because it is part of your career. And over time, those advocates might become friends too but it’s also okay if they don’t, as long as you are able to build a level of trust and confidence that they will ‘pound the table’ for you because they believe in your potential.
Check out this clip from Carla Harris - an all-time brilliant nugget about the criticality of sponsorship.
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