you become untrustworthy<\/a>. Handshakes are also powerful\u2013when we have skin- to-skin touch, there is a release of oxytocin. When we get that acknowledgement, we feel chemically bonded. Oxytocin is the chemical that makes you want to connect further, so shake hands and make eye contact.<\/p>\nEye contact also builds connection. Implement the \u201cPay attention to me\u201d principle of conveying care \u2013 look at someone\u2019s face! Showing that you care starts with your facial expression.. This is paramount in likeability, and likeability is the gatekeeper for relationships.<\/p>\n
Master of the art of relationships<\/h2>\n If you want to do well, be great at developing relationships. Eighty-five percent of success is tied to human engineering, and only 15 percent tied to technical competence. You won\u2019t go nearly as far as you\u2019d like if you\u2019re not good with people. John Maxwell\u2019s Law of Connection states \u201cfocus on others, not on yourself.\u201d People’s opinion of us has less to do with what they see in us than it does with what we can help them see in themselves. So, build camaraderie by building up others. Good relationships turn into great advocates. You will always connect faster when your focus is not on you, and you\u2019ll develop meaningful work relationships that will help you grow in your career.<\/p>\n
Align yourself with values<\/h2>\n Great associations know their members in and out, and offer a value proposition indispensable to their members\u2019 success. As a young association professional, it\u2019s important to take the same value-centered approach to your career. It’s one thing to communicate because you believe you have something of value to say. It’s another to communicate with people because you believe they have value. As you get your feet wet, keep two key things in mind: How can I enhance my association\u2019s value to others, and how can I enhance my coworkers\u2019 value to the association? Know how your specific role completes the bigger membership picture for your association. Learn about what your coworkers do so you can find meaningful ways to help them and collaboratively achieve success. Make it easy for everyone to see you as an indispensable part of the association\u2019s mission.<\/p>\n
Advocate for yourself<\/h2>\n Self-advocacy is having the confidence to speak up for what you want and need. Make a commitment to learn and improve through actions that will enable career opportunities. Begin with a clear understanding of your role and what is expected of you. You may have been hired for a job description, but you need to know how your boss defines being good in that role. Know what you\u2019re expected to do, and how you will be measured. Don\u2019t let there be any ambiguity.<\/p>\n
Advocating for yourself doesn\u2019t mean raising your hand<\/h2>\n Good bosses love initiative, so demonstrate your worth by taking ownership of your success. The ideal boss takes time to mentor you, defines goals, provide feedback and support your growth. However, that may not describe your<\/em> boss. Therefore, you may need to take charge and work to facilitate these things yourself. Self-advocacy is authentic self-sponsorship, not raising your hand and waiting for your turn. Be proactive in your roles and responsibilities, ensure that your voice is heard, and measure your progress and communicate it. Don\u2019t assume your boss and coworkers know what you\u2019re doing and don\u2019t wait until it\u2019s \u201cannual review time\u201d to talk about your efforts. Find authentic ways to celebrate your successes publicly as part of the team. There is nothing wrong with being proud of your achievements. Just be mindful of the fine line between self-sponsorship and shameless self-promotion.<\/p>\nPhoto by Edwin Andrade on Unsplash<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nHow Do You Ask for a Raise?<\/h2>\n Finally, how to do you ask for a raise or grab that promotion? Simply remember the 3 P\u2019s<\/strong>:<\/p>\nPerspective<\/h3>\n The best way to advocate for yourself with a boss is to see things from their perspective and not your own.\u00a0 What is it they want, need, and are looking for?\u00a0 How do they define success?\u00a0 What are value drivers for them? \u00a0The psychological principle to be aware of is consistency<\/em>. We don\u2019t want to be incongruent to what we have previously said or done.<\/p>\nSo, if you were clear with your boss about their<\/em> goals, then your approach for a raise or promotion should be framed by helping them see it as the natural, appropriate progression of your efforts, having exceeded their targets and demonstrated value on their terms.<\/p>\nProof<\/h3>\n While this may seem like a no brainer, you\u2019d be surprised how often this is not effectively communicated. You must provide proof positive your work merits a raise or promotion. Remember: Nobody notices normal, and they certainly don\u2019t promote it. When was the last time you went away thrilled because a restaurant just met your expectations? When our expectations are met and we are simply satisfied<\/em>, that really isn\u2019t the target. Doing what you\u2019re supposed to do when you said you\u2019d do it may not be enough. Work so well that your boss becomes a raving fan of yours. \u00a0Routinely exceed expectations and the proof will be in the pudding.<\/p>\nPeople<\/h3>\n Building rapport and relational equity among colleagues is critical. Don\u2019t lock yourself in a silo, get to know people in your association, especially those in roles you have no experience in. Learning from your colleagues has a myriad of benefits. First, you\u2019re creating a work persona of kindness, support, and helpfulness. Don\u2019t fake it or over extend yourself, just be intentional. Second, learning what others do will strengthen your capacity and knowledge, allowing you to connect with them in areas of partnership. Additionally, the more you know about the various roles within your organization, the better equipped you\u2019ll be when climbing the proverbial ladder.<\/p>\n
You might not know exactly how your professional career will play out, but knowing these strategies for mastering professional relationships and advocating for yourself is the road map that will guide you on the way.<\/p>\n
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