What I Learned that Gets Me Noticed at Work (aka How to Get Promoted)
Something I noticed: Important projects always go to certain individuals.
These individuals are smart but not necessarily much smarter or better programmers than the rest of us, so why?
I took a closer look at their work patterns and found something: they don’t always only work on high profile projects. They also do a lot of smaller things, things that don’t necessarily catch everyone’s eyes but do make everyone’s life better.
In the book “Impact Players” by Liz Wiseman, she described this as the “squeaky door”. It’s annoying when you open and close a not-so-well oiled door. It makes that annoying squeaky sound. It doesn’t affect the functionality, and you learn to tune the noise out. Still, you notice when it’s fixed, and you realize how much better your life becomes.
It’s these little things that make them stand out. They do these first without asking to be noticed. Once these tasks are completed, people realize how much better their lives are.
These “squeaky doors” of a company are the pain points.
What can make the server perform better?
What can shorten the build process?
What can make the service more robust?
These things might not be on top of the agenda on PM’s list. Sometimes it’s not even on your boss’s list. These, however, are pain points.
As my boss once said: “You should ask why things are done this way, and if it makes sense.”
After identifying the paint points, it’s your turn to lead and solve these issues.
Since these are not on the agenda, you might need to pitch this idea to your boss. You might also need to spend some extra time to get it done on top of your everyday work.
But the result is promising. As I mentioned at the beginning, when the squeaky door is gone, people will notice. When they notice that you can perform on your own and can solve company’s problem, they tend to lean on you for new projects, projects that are high-profile and more important on company’s growth.
So, if you are okay with where you are and what you do, then keep doing it. However if you want to lead on more important projects and want the company to rely on you more, start pitching to work to resolve these pain points. You not only will be noticed but also make your company function better.
Take out that squeaky door. People will thank you.