I have a stack of blank index cards on my desk and sometimes when I’m trying to explain a concept to one of my executive coaching clients, I scribble it down and then show it to them on the screen.
About six months ago, I sketched out an idea about the relationships people need at work to be truly successful. The image was hugely helpful to my clients (and to me), and I considered getting a graphic designer to make it pretty.
Of course, I never got around to finding that graphic designer.
But the other day I figured out how to whip it up on Adobe, and ended up with:
And then I posted it on social media and explained the concept:
Sometimes when my clients are struggling at work, I ask them to do a quick check:
- Do they have Champions who will sing their praises to other people?
- Do they have Allies who have their back?
- Do they have Mentors who will show them the way?
- Do they have raving fans at work?
Too often good old rugged individualists will neglect forming these kinds of relationships because a) they don't think they need them, b) it should happen automagically if it's going to happen at all, c) it seems way too hard, and/or d) I am way too busy and these people are way too needy. Or maybe e) All of the above.
But no one succeeds all by themselves. No one. And frequently the thing that makes the biggest difference when times get tough, or you have to sell in change, or people need to support your tough decision, comes down to having fans.
So I made this little graphic to illustrate what I mean. You need all these people to be successful at work.
I just gotta ask: Do you have them?
Which prompted a question from C. in Los Angeles:
Interesting post today re FANS and also a request for your next post… what if you do not have enough FANS? Or for all those out of work and feeling nervous about the future… How does one create them while (and while not) currently employed?
If you don’t have enough Fans - meaning you have few Champions, Allies or Mentors - the easiest thing you can start to do is start being helpful to others at work.
You might say, “Michele, you have no idea how cutthroat this place is. No one is nice. We eat what we kill, and I’d be killed if I started being nice.”
[Editor’s Note: Have you ever considered finding another job?]
If you work in a snakepit, your task is to find the easiest snake to deal with - the garter snake of your office - and develop your relationship with that person. Help them out. Ask them for advice. Connect. Be useful when they’re stuck.
Be a good human.
And at least you will have one fan at the office. So when your name comes up in a meeting and you’re not in the room, that one person will say, “Let me tell you why she’s amazing.”
Let me tell you: This sort of support in a critical moment can make or break a career.
Just a side note here, your Champions, Allies and Mentors don’t necessarily have to be people you manage up to. They can be entry level folks, admin staff, security guards, anyone.
If you’re going to be truly successful at work, you need folks at every level who are your fans.
Finally, if you’re out of work and want to create raving fans, use the same tactics: Be helpful. Ask for advice. Be in connection. Be useful.
Be a good human.
That’s how you build your fanbase.