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No need to study Shakespeare, this is about having a strategic dialogue at work which puts others at ease (and maybe even in awe) as you casually paint a picture of what you are up to in your current role, in a story like format almost as if you are speaking to an old friend.
Should you have your eye on a leadership position, you’ll want to practice this. You need to feel very comfortable with any personality at any time in any circumstance.
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Let’s dig in by taking a hypothetical scenario at your workplace. When caught in an unofficial work conversation, one that’s not planned or on-the-go like in the hallway or elevator, you’ll want to speak in a quick “So, here’s the real deal…” format which engages the other person, furthers your cause yet has you remaining your authentic self, which people really get and respect.
.Work Scenario:
Let’s say a colleague walks over and asks how things are going with your latest project. This project is either one which you are running or sitting on as a key team member.
What you should NOT say, even if all is well:
“Things are going pretty good.”
“We’re making great progress.”
“Busy, but good.”
Instead, you want to have in your hip pocket one key piece of information about your project wrapped in a short and sweet story. Why? Because when you are in a leadership position you need to engage people personally to make yourself memorable as a key player, who is approachable in any situation, while still sharing (and justifying) the value you are adding to that company in any situation.
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If you missed it, you will want to read this eye-opening piece first on why your soft skills make all the difference in your career: Soft Skills bringing Sexy Back .
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So what should you say? First, you want to choose something “meaty” which people can easily digest and which adds to your self-promotion, rather than the generalized responses above. Here are some examples of what you can say instead:
- The phase of the project and what key wins you have made so far.
- An unforeseen red flag that you nipped in the bud.
- An efficiency you discovered that wasn’t in the plan, but you accommodated for.
- Mention of a key team member who is doing a great job.
Now when speaking to others about what you have been working on, you always want to deliver in an easy-going light-weight conversation that reads like a story but does not appear scripted or rehearsed. Something that says: Wow, she’s in control of the situation and really knows her stuff. Management especially wants to see you respond to impromptu questions that prove your preparedness and leadership acumen sprinkled with your personal charisma and style which (yep, you guessed it) makes a lasting impression and goes a long way in the future when your name comes up.
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Now let’s take the red flag example above.
You can respond with: “You know I have to say, I wasn’t expecting XYZ to creep out of the woodwork, but luckily with my foresight to have ABC in place, we were easily ready to respond to it, without impacting the schedule. I definitely don’t want to ever get blindsided by that again!”
As the smart driven woman that you are, you have earned your seat at the table. Start weaving light-hearted stories around your work life which stimulate casual chit-chat and pull others into wanting to work with you. This is the phase where you start spreading your wings; you begin testing the waters and speaking at ease with anyone but with purpose in a way that supports your work, matches your personality and doesn’t feel artificial.
Make sense? : )
With love and lots of gutsiness.
