Recruiting Champions & What's In It For Them

In this lesson, we discuss how senior promotions often depend on having credible champions who can validate that you are already operating at the next level. When those relationships do not develop naturally through your work, you and your manager can deliberately create opportunities for senior leaders to become familiar with your contributions well before the promotion cycle begins.

• Start building champions months before the promotion: Ideally, your manager should identify potential supporters early and let them know that they will eventually be asked for feedback, giving them time to observe your work rather than receiving a last-minute request.
• Create natural opportunities for senior leaders to know your work: If necessary, approach potential champions yourself, explain the promotion process, and ask how you can keep them informed or collaborate in ways that allow them to provide meaningful feedback later.
• Build more relationships than the process requires: Some potential champions may leave, reorganize, or ultimately decline to provide feedback, so develop several possible supporters and connect your work to outcomes that matter to them rather than relying on only the minimum number required.

Original podcast link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WaeGfLnRvc&t=24s