Hey Big Boss, look at me...

Look at Me

As important as it is to recognize our employees, it’s equally important for our career and moral that our success as supervisors or managers does not go unnoticed.  So what do you do when your accomplishments never make it beyond your direct report and you find yourself one person (or two or three…) away from Big Boss recognition? 
Here are a few ideas to get you noticed without looking obvious:

Create Opportunity
Come up with “Out of the Box” ideas that empower employees, promote productivity and result in profitability.  Once you get going, ask your direct supervisor, the Big Boss and other key players for input.  

For example, you could:

• Create training opportunities for your employees that get others talking
• Share industry articles by saying “thought you’d be interested in this” or “This can work for us, let’s get it going”…
• Invite the Big Boss to give a few words of recognition and encouragement to your team at a department meeting and take the opportunity to showcase department success at your leadership
• Volunteer to take part in high profile projects, trainings and committees that you normally would not take part in, even if it means putting in longer days at the office

Ring YOUR Bell

Share with others what you are doing to be successful at work and in life and invite them to be successful with you!
You'll stand out when you:

• Invite the Big Boss and other key players to participate with you at networking, philanthropy and community events and volunteer opportunities
• Email about recent failures and successes and ask key players (include the big boss) for comments, suggestions and room for improvement
• Share testimonials and thank you notes (whether they are about you, someone on your team or your department as a whole)  the way a bartender rings the bell after a tip
•  Sit next to the big boss any chance you get and tell on yourself

Work It
Prove that you are a thinker.
Strut your stuff by identifying key issues and come up with smart solutions:

• Show that you can grow with company change and assist others to do so as well  
• Tackle current events and economic conditions before they hit your business
• Train your team to think and problem solve on their own
• Acquire a sense of urgency and grace