Leading operations is like running a mental marathon. You’re constantly in motion to keep it all going smoothly.
In the hustle of the day-to-day, it’s not unusual to look up and see others getting recognition and advancing, while you feel left behind. Other roles typically are more visible . So, how can you make sure you’re moving in the right direction too?
Operations executives often come to me feeling stuck and wondering if it’s time to throw in the towel to consider new opportunities. It’s a significant decision, but there might be unexplored avenues you can try first.
In this episode, you’ll hear the story of an operations leader at a law firm who felt stuck while others moved forward. You’ll learn how he overcame his reluctance to seek recognition, increased his visibility and reshaped his professional identity.
Understanding the Importance of Self-Advocacy
This is a story about Mike, the director of operations at a small but prominent legal firm. Mike tirelessly worked long hours keeping everything rolling. But his efforts seemed to fade into the background of the bustling firm.
While he had no problem talking up his team’s achievements, he struggled to highlight his own. Raised to be humble and supportive, he got disheartened watching everyone else advance. Realizing something had to change, he sought help as a last resort. He said:
“I need to learn how to stand out and move up, or I need to look elsewhere.”
So, we began our work.
Transforming Mindset for Success
First, we focused on his mindset, uncovering the beliefs that made him feel like it was wrong to ‘toot his own horn’.
The first breakthrough came when Mike realized that self-promotion is about sharing value, not showing off. He shifted from seeing self-advocacy as arrogance to seeing it as a skill necessary to play the game and drive his firm’s success. He started to focus less on ‘tooting his own horn’ and more on ‘inspiring collaboration’.
During their monthly operations meeting, Mike typically downplayed his role in implementing a new case management system, crediting his team entirely. But with his new perspective, he prepared a brief presentation outlining his oversight and problem-solving skills that kept the project on track.
His presentation received positive feedback, and his contributions were acknowledged by the firm’s partners. Ultimately, this led to increased recognition and new growth opportunities.
Through this experience, Mike learned that advocating for oneself can be done with integrity and respect, benefiting both his career and his team’s morale.
Documenting Success: Building Your Victory Vault
Armed with this experience, he started regularly reviewing and documenting his achievements. He created a portfolio he calls his ‘victory vault,’ capturing wins like streamlining a case management process that led to a 20% efficiency increase, directly supporting the firm’s growth.
He was already very comfortable with celebrating his team’s successes. Now, he was including himself in the narrative. He presented these accomplishments during meetings and performance reviews, showing how Operations aligned with the firm’s long-term goals.
Mike also designed a new professional identity, focusing on his strengths and how he wanted to be known. He shared stories of his team’s success and emphasized collaborative wins, which subtly highlighted his leadership skill and resonated with his values.
Creating a Network of Advocates
Mike also identified three key stakeholders and mentors within the firm, partners and senior executives who valued his work and were willing to advocate for him.
He set up regular coffee catch-ups, where he asked for their perspective and shared his progress on projects. He showed his appreciation by acknowledging their contributions publicly during team meetings, reinforcing the mutual respect and trust between them.
By building these relationships, he started getting invited to new meetings. These new conversations opened doors to opportunities that allowed him to do what he most loved to do.
Crafting a Narrative That Shines
Here are a few tips to create a compelling presentation of your achievements:
- Document Regularly: Keep a record of your contributions and make sure they align with your organization’s goals. This makes it easier to demonstrate your value when the moment arrives.
- Create Impactful Case Studies: Develop case studies that detail your role in successful projects. Highlight the challenges you faced, your approach, and the outcomes you achieved.
- Build a Narrative: Weave a story around your achievements that captures not just the outcomes but the journey and how you’re growing along the way.
Remember, your achievements are worth celebrating, and they inspire others, so let them shine!
Today I’ll leave you with this question: What story do you most want to tell about your professional journey?
Looking for more tips on becoming a more impactful leader in operations? Grab my free PDF, “4 Steps to Gain Control of Your Mind, Time and Career So You Can Love Your Work Again and Advance”. You’ll find it at yourfuturerealized.com/guide.
You can’t stop the chaos, but you can change the game.
*Not his real name.
