How To Get Recognition For Your Work
As a highly committed manager you probably do not only put your time and skills, but also your heart in what you do.
And when you give, you may expect to receive: A bonus, a promotion, maybe an expatriate assignment, be invited to become a board member… And this is where it often gets critical.
Great Work does not speak for itself
In most cases, people will not automatically be aware of your great work, especially in medium to large organizations.
They are either too busy to notice and take your work for granted, or they do not care to give you recognition for several reasons: envy, arrogance, not the best time economically or politically, etc.
What does this mean for you?
If you want to receive recognition, you need to work on it!
How important is it for your personal and professional development to receive recognition? If there is much at stake, you may want to set up an effective Self-Promotion Strategy.
Below are 5 TIPS to make your boss and your company aware of the value you are bringing them.
Please note: None of these will help if you are not the first one to be truly convinced that your work is great: Self-confidence is key!
# 1. GREAT WORK = GREAT RESULTS?
Maybe you can honestly say that you’re excellent, you work well, you are accurate, meet each deadline, use your resources properly.
But does this also mean that your work is producing the results your company wants? If you can say so, what are the benefits they are receiving thanks to your contribution?
If you honestly find, though, that your work is not as great as it could be, or it is not bringing the company any added value, this may be a good time to review your skills, your activities and get a better understanding of your company’s vision and goals.
# 2. BE PRO-ACTIVE
Find ways to let people know about what you are working on…without being arrogant!
- Considering that the CEO or your superiors may hardly have time to talk with you, make sure you always have a smart 10-second statement about your current project or recent accomplishments ready, just in case you meet him/her in the elevator briefly.
- Keep your network informed about your projects and accomplishment. Very short friendly emails including some professional updates are a good way to build build and maintain relationships. Remember to show interest for them as well, it’s not just all about you.
- Ask for the opinion or feedback of trusted senior executives for a specific issue you’re working on. Careful! Make sure you ask for something “intelligent” that will not lead them to think you are incapable of working on your own.
- Keep your eyes and ears open for opportunities: Read the company’s annual report or the internal newsletter is there is one, actively participate in meetings and company events, watch out for projects that could be interesting for you and offer to contribute.
# 3. BE SELECTIVE
Don’t work just on any project that comes along. Make sure you select the ones that best match your skills and goals, the ones that you find really interesting and that will give you the possibility to shine.
# 4. DON’T RISK BURNOUT
For the sake of getting recognition, many managers take on too many assignments. Especially with today’s layoffs, many employees find themselves doing alone the work that was previously carried out by 2 or 3.
How can you deliver great work and great results if you’re stressed and burned out? As mentioned above, be selective, and look for ways to delegate.
And if you fear you cannot do it because “there’s just so much work to do”, how can you decrease the workload?
Could you involve your boss in the prioritization of your assignments? If so, prepare yourself for a meeting with him/her to discuss the risks (for the company) of your current work situation as well as the benefits (for the company) by implementing the slight changes you propose.
As for delegation, could an assistant help you? Who could it be? How could managing all this help you further develop your leadership skills?
If you do not manage to find ways to decrease your workload, do you have any idea of what is making you feel that you need to do it all, now?
# 5. ASK FOR RECOGNITION
Last but not least, if you want recognition: ask for it! If you are convinced that you are doing a great work and delivering great results, what is holding you from asking your boss for what you want?
- Make sure you have a record of all your accomplishments that were and are relevant for your company’s success.
- Be very clear on what kind of recognition you want: Bonus? Benefits? A rise? A promotion? What else?
- Prepare yourself for your meeting, including your reasoning in case of any objections.
Conclusion…
The above tips are just a few ways you could get your company recognize your great work. Consider including them in your Self-Promotion Strategy if you are looking for a substantial professional change.
All the best to you!
About the Author
Myriam Callegarin helps global corporate managers and entrepreneurs to successfully navigate the challenges of career and business reinvention. Find practical tools and inspiration in the Resource Center.
-
What clients say
Let’s connect
Some of our programs
Blog
Comments
Great Tips Myriam! :)
I can see how they would apply to me as a coach as well…Thank you!
Giuseppe
http://www.gtcoaching.net
Hi Giuseppe!
Thanks, and I’m glad you find these tips useful!
Congratulations for your graduation & All the best for your growing business! I know you’re an outstanding coach!
Myriam
Great article. Time management is now critical for long term growth and success in my business. I have to learn how to delegate activities to team members. I may need to hire someone part-time to handle administrative work that takes me away from Marketing.
Danielle Parsons
Hello, it’s a really a good article… i was actually very confused as to why i m not getting recognition despite the fact that i work too hard, i work smart, i am loyal etc… after reading this article, i found that the problem lies with me: 1. i don’t cry for recognition at all. I just do the work and ask for more.
i have been working very closely to the CEO. He is well aware of my talents, but never appreciates or talks about giving incentives or bonus. As one complicated work finishes, he pushes another one..in my personal opinion, this person is a big egoist and miser :( unfortunately
on the other hand, i have never asked for recognition …so can you pls, suggest a good way to start with.
Thanks All,
Chandran
Hello Chandran,
Your new awareness of why you’re not getting recognition is a great step forward, I want to acknowledge you for that!
If you want to ask for recognition, here’s three things that can help you:
1) Identify exactly what you want to be recognized for: take a blank paper and brainstorm things that you’ve been doing for your company (including their clients or suppliers, I don’t know your role), and in what ways this has been valuable for your company. This will help you gain clarity about yourself and your value within the company.
2) Define your boundaries: how do you want others to respect you? how do you want to respect yourself? Decide on when you will say yes (and why), and when you will say no (and why, and how).
3) Prepare for your conversation with your boss: why do you want to ask for recognition? what evidence do you have that supports your request? what do you want to receive as a recognition? how will you ask for it? what atmosphere do you want to experience while talking with your boss about it?
I wish you all the best, Chandran!
Myriam
Leave a Comment