In the article, How to Have Meaningful Discussions with Leaders Above You, I shared what to do to prepare to have a great conversation with a senior leader and the importance of doing it well.
Today is about what the benefits can be for you when you have these types of conversations.
Gain insights: Senior leaders have extensive experience and knowledge in their industry and organization, so talking to them can give you valuable insights about the industry, the company, and the leadership style that they use. They can help you see the vision of where the company is going and how your role can play a part in the success of the goals of the company.
Networking: Having a conversation with a senior leader can help you to build a network of contacts within the organization. This can be helpful in the future when you are looking for career opportunities, seeking advice or mentorship, or seeking referrals. Remember to ask them who else they think you should be meeting within the company or externally to continue to gain a new perspective and connections.
Career Development: Talking to a senior leader can help you to gain a better understanding of the skills and knowledge you need to develop to advance your career within the organization. You can also ask for feedback on your performance and ways to improve. Be intentional in this conversation and let them know what you have an interest in doing next or in a few years. This is a way to put your interests on their radar so that they will think of you if they hear of an opportunity that aligns with your career plan.
Visibility: By having a conversation with a senior leader, you may be able to raise your visibility within the organization. This can help to build your reputation and increase your chances of being considered for future career opportunities. If you feel like this could be a long relationship with them, you may consider asking them if they would be your mentor or sponsor.
Inspiration: A conversation with a senior leader can be inspiring and motivating. You may gain new perspectives and ideas that can help you to approach your work in a more effective and innovative way. They have been where you are and understand some of the challenges that you face. Leaders who can inspire you to see those challenges as opportunities that you can grow from will motivate you when you have a tough day.
There are so many benefits to having a conversation with senior leaders. It can be a valuable opportunity to learn, build relationships, and advance your career. They will get to know you and the value that you bring. You can leverage the opportunity to learn more about them and perhaps how you can help them too!
Planning to have these kinds of conversations is a great way to leverage my new program called The 90 Day Visibility Breakthrough Accelerator! I have helped people identify the story that they want to tell, and what they want the leader to do as well as do some practice conversations with me! It is one of my favorite ways to help leaders have these meaningful conversations in the best way. It creates a relaxed, safe space to ensure they are successful when they are in front of the leaders! Email me if you have more questions or sign up for your accelerator at the link above!