1. Promote Yourself: Proving Yourself on Your New Job

So, you are on your new job, what is next? Promote Yourself! The efforts that make many people successful and result in a promotion are often not reflected in the new opportunity. According to Michael Watkins, author of the First 90 Days, a fundamental challenge leaders have is mentally preparing oneself for the new opportunity. Watkins argues that promoting oneself is not self-serving, grandstanding, or a marketing campaign. Instead, he argues that leaders must prepare themselves mentally for the challenges ahead by releasing old habits and focusing on new methods. Watkins provides some guidance on this.

1. Establish a clear breakpoint. In the real world events sometimes are not so defined. You may work two jobs or go off to a new job nearly instantly. Whatever happens you must be disciplined and make the mental transitions.
   
2. Hit the ground running. You’ll get the first 90 days to make your transition. It is a key milestone. Educate yourself to the maximum about the position and organization.
   
3. Assess your own vulnerabilities. You are hired based on your skill set and your perceived future value. All people tend to gravitate towards their preferences and away from their weaknesses. You want to avoid an imbalance that creates exposure for you. Watkins offers an assessment of your preferences in order to score your natural tendencies. The result illustrates the spheres of your strengths and weaknesses. You can manage vulnerabilities through self-discipline, team building, advice, and sound counsel.
   
4. Manage your strengths. Strengths can become a weakness. You must manage the application of your strengths.
   
5. Relearn how to Learn. Steep learning curves are formable. There is a tendency to gravitate towards that which is comfortable. You’ll need to embrace learning and anticipate then prioritize in the learning process. All new leaders get the cold sweat. So you are not alone.
   
6. Rework your Network. Your new position requires a new network of talent and resources. Therefore, trim the old connections that no longer apply and seek fresh new input and support.
   
7. Watch out for those who want to hold you back. Other people may not want you to progress. Some rely on your stability or being around. Others may be nay sayers. Either way you need to be realistic and communicate expectations.

Promoting yourself can be challenging work. You must think through the difficult tasks and barriers ahead of you and effectively management them. It is a journey not a destination. Your success or failure depends on your journey and avoiding backsliding. You have the skills, you just have to learn to use them.

I will explore in the next several blogs postings, Proving Yourself on Your New Job. The steps are:

01. Promote Yourself
02. Accelerate Your Learning
03. Match Strategy to Situation
04. Securing Early Wins
05. Negotiate Success
06. Achieve Alignment
07. Build Your Team
08. Create Coalitions
09. Keep Your Balance
10. Expedite Everyone

Should you have any comments or questions please feel free to post or email me; james.bogden@gmail.com.

References:

Watkins, M. (2003) The first 90 days: Critical success strategies for new leaders at all levels. Harvard Business School Press. Boston, Ma.