Influence and Impact

CHAPTER 9Take on More Responsibility, Expand Your Impact, and Enjoy the Benefits: Sell Your Value Without Selling Yourself

 

“Action may not always bring happiness, but there is no happiness without action.”

—William James

By now, you're working your plan and delivering what the organization needs. You've earned the right to have even more influence and impact within your current job. (We will deal with other jobs in the same company in the next chapter.) This is a great place to be. Enjoy it. This is your opportunity to demonstrate what more you can do. And it's a chance to challenge yourself and grow, whether it is developing new capabilities in role, or seeking a promotion.

You do not have to sell yourself. In fact, most leaders we have spoken with find self-promoters to be grating. You do, however have to make it clear that you can and will take on new and bigger responsibilities. Your boss and the organizational leadership cannot know what you want until you show them or tell them about your interests and objectives. Without some type of explicit information, they may assume you are comfortable with your current remit.

New responsibilities will not come automatically. You have to let your leadership know you can and want to do more, either through your actions or words.ⁱ The more senior you are, the more important it is to let people know that you can handle more, and ...