How Well Do You Know Your Team 1, Team 2 and Team 3?
When times are turbulent and the future looks uncertain it is important to have the right people on your side vouching for you. Executives need to understand this early to stay ready to avoid setbacks, absorb shocks and grab opportunities.
When times are turbulent and the future looks uncertain it is important to have the right people on your side vouching for you.
Your stability depends on a variety of factors like the strength of the economy, the strength of your professional relationships, the relevancy of your proficiencies and the power of your personal branding (reference: You Can’t Move Up If You Don’t Stand Out)
Two axioms are always true in every business:
- Business is done with people and executed through people
- People often choose to do business with those they know, like and trust!
Take stock of: who knows you, who likes you, who trusts you: in your organization and in your industry.
Take stock of: who knows you, who likes you, who trusts you: in your organization and in your industry.
Here is the thing.
When the economy is bad, you need a better strategy:
When the economy turns bad, project cancellations and retrenchments become inevitable. Other things remaining the same, many leaders choose to cling onto those they know, like and trust. Therefore, it becomes even more important for you to build strong, meaningful and reciprocal relationships with key stakeholders, decision-makers and influencers so that you can stay relevant and employable. (See previous article: One Thing To Fix Before You Ask For a Raise)
Building strong relationships with your Team 1, Team 2, Team 3:
Team 1 comprises of your peers (and those in similar roles). They can help you figure out what’s going on in the other departments. Informal channels of communication can give you early access to information, resources, and opportunities. Stronger relationships with members of your Team 1 makes it easier for you to run your department smoothly. You will also be able to help your direct reports in effectively executing tasks with cross-functional dependencies.
Team 2 comprises of all your superiors(a.k.a. bosses). An executive coaching client of mine once told me, “Manoj, I am very good at convincing people who do not have the power to help me”. That shows exactly where the problem lies for most people. You need to build strong relationships with your boss’s peers and superiors. Don’t just rely on your boss’s influence. When your boss loses his job you will become more vulnerable unless you have made adequate plans early. (See previous article: Problems With Being The Boss’s Pet)
Don’t just rely on your boss’s influence.
Team 3 is the team you manage. Many executives find comfort in building strong relationships with their teams. Some crave the respect, admiration, and validation their team gives them with little effort. In fact, they wrongly assume their direct reports as their Team 1! There isn’t much point in getting the admiration of people who can’t help you beyond a point! All three teams are important for your professional success.
All three teams are important for your professional success.
To get started, look at the value you can provide to people you meet, not what you can get out of it.
“Networking is an enrichment program, not an entitlement program.” — Susan RoAne
Raise your profile and build relationships with people in your Team 1, Team 2 and Team 3. In a previous article Before your company STOPS loving YOU, I mentioned the importance of Relation before the transaction. Build authentic, meaningful and longterm relationships. Transactional relationships do not stand the test of time.
Build authentic, meaningful and longterm relationships. Transactional relationships do not stand the test of time.
Take charge of your career progression. Pay attention to stay relevant and stay employable, particularly in turbulent times.
Call To Action
Reflect on the following questions.
How well do you know the people who can help you in times of need? Why would they care for you?
Here are some related articles for you:
One Thing To Fix Before You Ask For a Raise
Before your company STOPS loving YOU
23 Key Focus Areas: To Demonstrate Your Next Level Leadership Readiness
You Can’t Move Up If You Don’t Stand Out
Manoj Vasudevan is an internationally renowned Next Level Leadership Readiness expert, management consultant, and the World Champion of Public Speaking. He helps executives and entrepreneurs to break through to the Next Level in career, business, and life. Manoj is known for his expertise in simplifying complex topics into practical strategies. He is the CEO of Thought Expressions and holds an MBA from Imperial College, London. His books include the international bestseller Mastering Leadership The Mousetrap Way. and How to become the World Champion of Public Speaking. He speaks at international conferences, multinational companies, universities, and around the world. As a coach, Manoj has proven track-record in personal transformation and breakthroughs. CEOs, Senior Executives, UN Diplomats, Celebrities & Professionals from 34 nationalities have benefited from Manoj’s coaching. To contact the author’s team, click here.
