I was reading an Inc article by my friend JT O’Donnell the other day. It contained some great wisdom. Check it out…
“Your performance is your responsibility. Proactively set regular meetings with your boss to discuss how you can continue to add value and justify the cost of your employment. The boss is the customer, and you need to regularly check in to make sure he is satisfied. The moment you get a sense he is unhappy, it’s time to set a meeting to find out what you can do to make things right.”
JT is correct on two fronts here.
First — your performance is your responsibility. It’s up to you to perform at a high level if you want raises and promotions — or even to stay with your company. If you don’t know what good performance looks like, talk to your boss. He or she will tell you. The important thing here is to take responsibility for doing a good job. If someone doesn’t send you the information you need to finish up a project, track him or her down and get what you need. Don’t sit back and say, “it wasn’t my fault, so and so didn’t get me what I needed to do the job.
Second — you have to manage your relationship with your boss. If he or she doesn’t initiate them, set regular check ins. As JT says your boss is your customer, and you need to do everything you can to satisfy or exceed his or her expectations. The best way to do so is to have regular check ins to make sure you are on the right track and moving forward in a positive manner.
Follow JT’s advice and you’ll not only do well in your present job, you’ll be heading for that elusive promotion.
Your career mentor,
Bud
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