What do executives say about you behind closed doors Learn to become a positively perceived leader

What do executives say about you behind closed doors Learn to become a positively perceived leaderWhat do executives say about you behind closed doors Learn to become a positively perceived leaderDo you have a good sense about what is said about you behind closed doors? When your boss, your bosss boss and other key executives in the organization are sitting down and discussing you, what is the consensus? Is it positive? Is it negative? Are you credible? Confident? Respected? Reliable? If you look around the table, how many are blank faces? Blank faces are people who dont know you and wouldnt know what to expect if you were given an opportunity.Its important to know how you are perceived by others in your organization. In my presentation, The Importance of Having Positively Perceived Leaders, I explain how to build and develop your perception, and how to cultivate and maintain a positive outlook on your skillset.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreBy activelyinfluencing how others perceive you, you can enhance your access to new opportunities. If youre looking to manage how you and your accomplishments are viewed, start by following my steps below, and plan how you will change what is being said when youre not in the room.1. Seek out advocatesThink about who in your organization already knows you and can speak to your work and your reputation. Will they speak up when you are being discussed? The most obvious candidate may be your boss, who has a more detailed knowledge of the work you have done and the success youve had in your current role. Be koranvers your advocates speak highly about your work, but also know your aspirations. When opportunities arise, they can put your name forward.Your boss is key, but dont forget others you have worked with, both within and outside your business group. Be sure to maintain those relationships on both a casual and professio nal level, as those other players too may be your advocates.2. Get to know more peopleImagine there are 10 people sitting in a room at your organization. How many know you and your work? One? Three? Five? The more people know you, the more voices there are to speak up or weigh in on your behalf. Others who arent sure might not speak or could actively advocate for another candidate rather than back you and your unknown reputation. Make the effort to be seen and heard by more than just the small circle of your team or group stand up, speak up, be heardand be remembered.You do great work, so dont be afraid to make sure others know how well youve done and what youre capable of achieving.3. Dont forget the organization as a wholeWhen youre getting to know people, and making sure they know you and your accomplishments, dont only focus on senior managers and the executive. There are many people in your organization who those other leaders will look to for opinions - who will they consult with about you and your reputation? Make the effort tofoster and maintain that positive perceptionof your work with your colleagues, your employees and all the influencers and decision makers with whom you come in contact.How you are talked about outside those closed-door meetings is important, too if someone doesnt know you well, they may take the advice and opinion of someone they trust who does. Cast your net wide whenmanaging your perception, because it all may matter.When youre ready for that next step in your career, and youre looking for a new opportunity in leadership, dont forget thatperception is a critical part of managing your successalong the path. Dont become a hidden leader whose potential remains untapped and overlooked just because your talents werent known. Its up to you to make sure that when people sit down to discuss you, there are no blank faces at the table, and as many as possible will speak up on your behalf.This article originally appeared on SmartBrief.