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Seven Strategies To Position Yourself As A Leader At Work

Forbes Coaches Council
POST WRITTEN BY
Forbes Coaches Council

If you're new to your job or organization, getting recognition (and perhaps a promotion) as quickly as you would like isn't always easy. Some companies will have a very traditional hierarchy, requiring that you cozy up to the right leaders in the company in order to move forward; other more open organizations might reward you for being a great team player who values communication.

Regardless of what type of company you're working for, if you know you have the skills to lead, it's on you to demonstrate that to the right people. By understanding where you fit in, branding yourself correctly and identifying opportunities to show your leadership skills, you can accelerate your career.

Below, seven leadership and career coaches from Forbes Coaches Council share seven proven strategies for getting where you want to go this year:

Clockwise from top left: Mike Ambassador Bruny, Emily Kapit, Carmen Bolanos, Michael Pollock, Cha Tekeli, Dave Ursillo, Jen Kelchner. All photos courtesy of the individual members.

1. Identify the Culture You're In

Take a step back and consider your corporate culture. Is it more collaborative and entrepreneurial or competitive and hierarchy-based? Once you identify the basics of your company's culture, you can then adapt your style to connect with and engage leadership. For the former, be a smart team player on projects. For the latter, align yourself with the more open leaders and perhaps seek a mentor. – Emily Kapit, MS, MRW, ACRW, CPRWReFresh Your Step, LLC

2. Tell Your Story

Credentials make anyone appear qualified, but leading by example speaks far more about someone than numbers on a page. One great way to lead by example is to tell your story with heart, poise, professionalism and emotion. How did you begin what you're doing today, and why? What's your stake in this? Sharing your story is leading by example because it invites others into your world. – Dave UrsilloLead Without Followers, LLC.

3. Demonstrate Your Abilities Through Action

Resist trying to show off what you know. Instead, start participating in a way that contributes to the common goal. Volunteer to lead a project or take on a small team -- anything that will demonstrate to your colleagues what leadership qualities you have that will benefit the whole. Once your more experienced peers see your excellent results, you will build trust and be seen as a leader. – Carmen BolanosCarmen Bolanos Coaching

4. Solve Big Problems and Manage Up

In dealing with your peers, anticipate their needs, show them your value and gain their trust. Work it. But the real meat is in managing up and innovating to solve the problems of the top team/decision makers so that they will see your worth directly. Do it positively so that you are building the business. – Michael PollockPollock Spark

5. Say Yes

Say 'yes' to the projects others don't want, and do well at them. Also, leverage what you do know from a digital (assuming) standpoint to bring in resources and ideas that they may not be thinking about. – Mike Ambassador BrunyNo More Reasonable Doubt

6. Establish Your Presence

Be authentic in who you are and get out there. Start volunteering to speak at conventions and seminars. Start a blog and write about what you know. Have an opinion and let it be heard, and read. Create a group on LinkedIn and invite other leaders to join. In this age of so many voices, pick your area of comfort and capability and start talking/writing about what you think. – Cha TekeliChalamode, Inc.

7. Maintain Confidence and Create Connections

Someone’s depth or breadth of experience isn’t what qualifies them as a leader. It's more about the inherent gift and drive a person brings to the table that attracts and influences. In order to position yourself as a leader, you must embrace and maintain confidence in who you are and create authentic connections with those you want to influence. – Jen KelchnerKelchner Advisory