Boost Your Career: Building Your Circle of Influence

Today, let’s delve into a topic crucial for anyone looking to succeed and truly thrive in their career. We often focus on individual skills and hard work, which are essential, but the reality is that no one achieves great things entirely alone. To really boost your career, you need to strategically build a circle of influence—a network of people who can support, guide, and advocate for you. Let’s explore the key players you need in your corner.

From Mentors to Sponsors: Adapting to a Fast-Paced World
Let’s start with mentors. Many organizations have mentorship programs, pairing junior or high-potential employees with more senior individuals for guidance. While having a mentor can be beneficial, especially as a sounding board, the world is changing at an unprecedented pace. What worked for someone in the past might not be as effective today. Traditional mentorship is often rooted in the idea of “I’ve walked this path, so follow my steps.” But what if the path has changed ?

This is where the idea of transforming mentorship into sponsorship comes in. A mentor might offer advice and listen to your concerns, but a sponsor goes a step further. A sponsor sticks their neck out for you, especially in those crucial rooms where decisions about promotions and opportunities are made. They advocate for you when you’re not present.

To transform a mentor into a sponsor, several things need to be true. First, the mentor should be close enough to your position and industry to understand your work and have influence in relevant discussions. They should ideally be a peer of your boss or your boss’s boss, not someone too far removed. Second, they need to have a stake in your success. A sponsor benefits when you do well, making it a win-win relationship. They can point to your achievements and say, “This person has done great work.”

Ideally, aim to select a mentor who could potentially become your future boss. If they think highly of you, and you’ve contributed to their success, they’ll want you on their team. When HR asks if you have someone in mind for a mentor, have a name ready—someone who aligns with your career goals and can eventually become your sponsor.

The Power of Coaching: Unlocking Your Potential
Now, let’s talk about another powerful relationship: coaching. While coaching is well-known in executive circles, it’s not always as accessible to mid-level management and junior employees. A coach is different from a mentor or sponsor. A coach has no personal agenda and focuses solely on helping you understand what you want and which direction you want to take.

Unlike a mentor, who might suggest you follow their past steps, a coach recognizes that you are a different person in different circumstances. What worked for them might not work for you. A coach helps you find clarity and boost your ability to make decisions and take action. They help you overcome fears and self-doubt that might be holding you back.

Sometimes, we waste a lot of time figuring out what we want or being afraid to pursue it. A coach helps you start by starting. They work on your mindset, helping you recognize your answers and overcome internal obstacles. Often, people say things they don’t realize until a coach reflects it to them. These “aha” moments are powerful and can lead to significant breakthroughs.

If executives need coaches, why shouldn’t you? Why struggle for years to figure things out on your own when there’s a more efficient way ? Having a coach can accelerate your growth and help you achieve your goals faster. Even coaches have coaches! It’s a testament to the power of this relationship.

Understanding Coaching vs. Therapy
Many people wonder about the difference between coaching and therapy. It’s important to clarify that they are distinct. Therapy often focuses on understanding the origins and causes of your feelings and behaviors, delving into past experiences. It’s incredibly valuable, especially for those who have experienced trauma.

Coaching, on the other hand, is future-oriented. It’s about setting goals, creating plans, and taking action to move forward. While therapy might help you understand why you feel a certain way, coaching helps you change your current situation and create the future you desire.

Coaching operates on the principle that you already have the answers within you. Sometimes, fears and overwhelm prevent you from acknowledging them. A coach provides a safe space for you to voice your thoughts and explore your options. They ask questions to guide you toward your own conclusions.

For those in the corporate world, a coach with experience in that environment can be particularly helpful. They can understand the challenges you face and help you develop strategies to overcome them. However, coaching is always a co-creation with the client. It’s never about imposing solutions but rather empowering you to find your own way.

Building Your Board of Advisors: The Power of Feedback
Finally, let’s discuss the importance of having a “board of advisors.” This group consists of people who can provide honest feedback and act as a sounding board for your ideas and actions. We all have blind spots, and feedback is essential for growth. Without it, we’re essentially operating in the dark.

Your board of advisors can include colleagues, family, and friends, depending on the topic you need feedback on. They should be people who are affected by your actions and can provide insights based on their observations.

As you climb the organizational ladder, it can become harder to get honest feedback. This is due to “positional voice”—your words carry more weight, and people might be hesitant to challenge you. This is why it’s crucial to actively cultivate a culture of feedback.

Your team should be a key part of your board of advisors. If you’re not getting feedback from your team, there’s a problem. Admit that you’re human and that multiple perspectives are better than one. Acknowledge that you can’t be everywhere at once and that your team members have unique insights.

Humility is key to creating an environment where people feel comfortable giving you feedback. Be open and ask for their input. Make it clear that you value their opinions and that you see them as partners in achieving your goals. Don’t just hint at it—say it explicitly: “I know that I have one brain, but all of our brains together can come up with better ideas if we’re honest and open with each other.”

This applies not just to your team, but also to your peers and bosses. While your boss might naturally provide feedback, getting honest feedback from your team is the most challenging and most crucial. It requires you to be vulnerable and create a safe space for them to share their thoughts.

Final Thoughts
In conclusion, building a strong circle of influence is essential for career growth. It’s not enough to be good at your job; you need the support, guidance, and advocacy of others. Transform mentors into sponsors, invest in coaching, and build a board of advisors. By surrounding yourself with the right people, you can unlock your full potential and achieve the career you truly desire.

Remember, no one achieves everything alone. Your network is your net worth. Take the time to cultivate these relationships and watch your career soar.

Simona Pappalardo is a successful executive and leadership coach. Before starting her own business, she held several executive roles within the semiconductor, electronics, and manufacturing industries, in Quality, Product Development, and Supply Chain Operations. You can follow Simona on her YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@CoachingwithSimona and reach out to her directly at simona@coachingwithsimona.com

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