How Do You Get Noticed By Your Boss’s Boss?
I get asked this question often as an Executive Coach. How could one get one’s boss’s boss attention and get them to know about you without annoying their direct boss?
What can you do? The path may be riddled with roadblocks. However, handling yourself professionally could yield a win/win outcome.
The first question is, why do you want to be noticed by the top boss? Is it because you think you’re smart? Have you put the work in and got results, but your boss seems to keep you away from their boss? Or something else?
If you feel your boss might restrict your opportunities within the organisation, then going to the top isn’t the right way. You might be jeopardising your career path by doing so.
Before you run and knock on the top boss’s door, get your head around the following — Manage Your Expectations.
Manage Your Expectations
It’s essential to set realistic expectations for yourself and your job. If you’re expecting too much recognition or appreciation, you may be setting yourself up for disappointment.
Focus on doing your job well and making meaningful contributions to the company rather than seeking external validation. This automatically will bring the right attention.
Networking
I also believe networking without expectations is essential. Building relationships with others in your community and industry fosters better relationships and feelings of connection and value. LinkedIn is a great way to do it.
Attend networking events, join professional organisations, and participate in team-building activities at work. This can help you build a support system and feel more engaged in your job.
Take On New Challenges
If you’re not feeling challenged in your current role, look for opportunities to take on new responsibilities or projects. This can help you develop your skills and show your value to the company. It can also help you feel more engaged and motivated at work.
Feeling undervalued at work can be a challenging experience, but it’s important to remember that you have the power to improve your situation.
By speaking up, focusing on your strengths, and building relationships, you can increase your sense of value and connection to your job.
Be Professional
When dealing with your boss, you must remain professional and avoid getting defensive or emotional. Don’t demand you be ‘put in front’ of their boss or have open access to them. Please don’t do anything to go above your head to reach out to the top boss.
Instead, try and look at things from their perspective. They may not like you approaching their boss for a particular reason. Remember, your boss is human, too.
I understand most people don’t go to work for fun, but on average, we spend 1/3 of our life at work. Therefore, you want to be maxing out your time there and not causing problems for you or your team.
Knock on The Top Door
After all of the above, what if you still want to contact the top boss? What could you do? Ask your boss first. Why? It’s respectful and professionally responsible. Imagine yourself in your boss’s shoes. They wanted to go and speak to the top boss. How would you feel?
Imagine the Following
Jen joined a team of ten people in an international Fortune 500 company at their European Headquarters office in Canary Wharf. She quickly learned who the real decision-maker was — her boss’s boss.
Jen met Ben (Top Boss) when he visited the department. He stopped by to welcome her officially. That’s the last she saw of him, until after a few months, when he hosted a department meeting.
Jen had some great ideas that she wanted to share, but David, her direct boss, suggested she didn’t share these ideas in the meeting because it wasn’t the place to do it. However, he offered to pass them on to Ben in their next management meeting.
Jen knew nothing much would come out of the meeting because she realised David had other things on his agenda. She wanted to tell Ben how she was getting on and knew David would provide progressive updates.
Jen was going to go directly to Ben but was talked out of by Jim, who sat beside her. Jim suggested she get the go-ahead from David, who would be annoyed if she’d gone directly to Ben.
Jim suggested she invite Ben for an informal coffee instead because David couldn’t say no to an informal coffee. Otherwise, he’d be very curious about why she wanted to meet Ben out of the blue.
Jen did precisely that, and surprisingly, David was OK with it. Jen invited Ben for a coffee, and they had a lovely conversation. On the back of that, she asked Ben if he minded having future informal coffees, and he said he was OK with it.
Jen made a point of inviting Ben each month. In her second meeting, she got the opportunity to share her ideas with him. Ben was open to further discussion and suggested they meet with David to discuss further.
What did Jen learn from this experience?
Learning Lessons:
❇️Your boss is a human ❇️If you don’t ask, you don’t get ❇️A win/win mindset gets results ❇️Learn, apply and share ❇️Manage your expectations from the outset ❇️Don’t make demands ❇️It’s important to respect boundaries ❇️Think of ways to add value ❇️If you go for an ask, make sure there’s a give-too ❇️Be consistent ❇️Honour time ❇️Be professional at all times ❇️Respect your colleagues
Parting Comments
How did David take to Jen meeting Ben regularly for an informal coffee? He didn’t mind because Ben had told David how much he enjoyed them. It was an opportunity for him to get away from his desk, and he saw the value of informal coffee.
Ben appreciated that Jen wasn’t after anything; she was curious and wanted to learn more about how certain things worked and his opinions on the industry. Jen’s ability to learn from Ben and apply and share feedback with David and Ben was in the favour.
Jen was also very respectful of David and her colleagues in their absence. Jen appreciated the time and energy Ben had invested in her and would do nothing to compromise this.
The team would jokingly refer to Jen as the ‘golden girl’. Deep down, she knew they didn’t mind much, but she felt she could be stirring a hornet’s nest.
On the back of this successful interaction, and also to stop the grumblings amongst the other team members. Jen decided to propose another idea.
Jen suggested Ben hold monthly meetings with the team. She wanted them to learn about the company’s evolving vision and strategy.
With a bit of patience and negotiation, much is possible.
Thank you for your attention.
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Pervin
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