Be the Senior Executive Your Boss is Looking For

Among the many in your team, if you want to be the senior executive to be noticed, you will need to work hard for it. As much as you might not want to accept it, there is definitely a certain amount of power play at work in an office.

It’s important to remember you will need to emulate what your boss needs from you rather than what you think you should be in that professional setting. This might or might not be the same.

The best way to work with this is to harness the power play and use it to your advantage. Be the best version of your professional self and be the senior executive your boss needs.

Like Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Big jobs usually go to those who prove their ability to outgrow small ones.” So be that person.

1. Stay away from gossip

First things first, do not gossip. Not about employees, not about the company, and definitely not about your own boss. Gossiping not only reflects badly on you as a senior executive but also sets a bad example for your juniors. If a culture of gossip is encouraged, there’s no limit to how bad it might get. It also reduces your trustability with your boss. But it’s important to filter the mindless gossip and focus on discussions that may serve as feedback for the company and the boss. This means you will be giving your boss insight into the team’s thinking, doubts, etc. And this is a good way to gain your boss’ confidence.

2. Work on their goals as much as them

It might not be very obvious, but your boss will always be working on their own goals within the projects you will be working on with them. Tap into this and help them achieve their goals. Do some extra research and analysis. Come up with suggestions and ideas. But be sure not to overhaul the project. After all, it is their goal and you are helping them achieve success.

3. Know your own goals well

In line with working on their goal, you should also be clear about what your goals are. You might not have all the details and know-how, but that will come with time. What you should know is what you want to achieve. Only with goals will you be able to slowly get better at what you do. This will also make you organized and productive and have direction.

4. Brace them for impact

As much as you need to work around your boss, make sure you are aware of whatever is going on around you. If there’s something your boss missed and should know beforehand so that they’re not caught off guard, then you as a senior executive should be able to bring that information to them. This will elevate you in their minds and your ability to assess the situation will also cement your intelligence with them.

5. Multitask and prioritize

Learn to work on multiple projects simultaneously. This is a good trait for any job, any profile. This also means you need to be clear about the order in which all jobs need to be completed. Prioritizing is of utmost importance and makes sure you don’t get overwhelmed by the work. But make sure your boss understands this and doesn’t misinterpret your multitasking for waning attention and interest.

6. Deliver

In an intensely competitive environment, if you as a senior executive don’t deliver when you say you will, you will not only lose the trust of your boss, but you can easily be replaced by the next person fighting to be in your position. So, it’s important to deliver on time or even before time with a well-thought out solution.

7. Regularly improve yourself

This is again, something that works as a good trait for any job, any profile. Regularly investing in self improvement will not only do wonders for you, but will also reflect well with your boss. They will know that you are committed to being better at your job and continuously improving your career.

8. Always have an agenda

When a project is being discussed, start thinking about the strategy and execution. So that your boss asks you for your opinion of a project or what you think the plan should be, you’re not caught off-guard saying you don’t know. Always go into their cabin with a plan, or maybe two. Tell them your idea of what you think should be done, and always give them an option. Support this with reasoning so that they know you are thinking about it rather than giving ideas that are not relevant.

9. Campaign for your boss

This can be a delicate situation. Campaigning for your boss with your team and colleagues can be handled delicately by focusing more on what your boss says rather than it being said by your boss. Overdoing it might make you seem like a disciple and do the opposite of what you intended, which is distance your team from you. So make sure you’re talking up the boss with your colleagues carefully. This will automatically make you an ally with your boss, and with your colleagues when they want to be included and taken seriously as a valuable part of the team.

10. Showcase your work

Your boss, being the boss, will have a multitude of things to keep their attention. If you want to get noticed, you have to make it happen. Showcase your work to them but make sure not to sound arrogant. While presenting your work to them make sure to give them context, the problem and then the solution.

11. Be the office go-to

Another situation to be handled delicately. Slowly develop a reputation for being the go-to person at the office. This will definitely be noticed by the boss. Your ability as a senior executive to lead your team will be a big positive for your boss. They will definitely not regret their decision to hire you.

It does take dedication and hard work to come up on top. Making sure your boss sees you as the best asset he has will also take genuine hard work but at the end you’re building a rewarding and satisfying career.

Summary

Q. Why is it important to help your boss achieve their goals?

A. This lets them know that you are invested in their progress as much as your own and makes you a valuable member of their team.

 

Q. Why is it important to make it a point to showcase your work to your boss?

A. With their hectic schedules, they’re not likely to notice or know you might have something to showcase them.