Establishing a Professional Reputation in a Virtual World

It all started when…

I recently presented “Building a Business Reputation in A virtual World”, with Jamie Freedman for CIRKEL, a multi-generational network organization. We grounded the information from Mary Kemmer’s book, Intangibles, available on Amazon.

The audience we targeted were new graduates starting their first professional jobs, not in person, but virtually. We also delivered helpful information for professionals working for a few years and many constructive recommendations for management.

Some people love working from home and some are finding it difficult. Without being in an office, with no direct human contact, without those casual conversations, how do you navigate an organization? How do you learn the ropes? If you get off on the wrong foot with leadership, it is very hard to change the perception.

Today I will address the first of 6 intangibles that will boost your career (I will post a new one every few days):

TRUST

Establishing trust up-front is key. In a virtual world your behaviors are more noticeable without the context of the office where informal conversations, consistent presence, and distractions dilute the impact of isolated behaviors. But in a virtual world, where focus is more targeted, what you say and do has a larger impact.  

Keep in mind: be consistent by keeping your word, demonstrating engagement, keep emotions in check, build a relationship with your boss, be on time, and honor confidentiality.

For Managers, these behaviors are important: Serve as a role model of trust; frequently communicate expectations; share information; and micro-manage your new hire the first few months (just to shape their behavior as to your style and expectations), once the new hire learns the ropes, re-adjust to a more normal rhythm.

The next intangible for Organizational Savvy will be posted in a few days. Stay tuned.

ORGANIZATION SAVVY

Let’s start with the definition: “Informal, unofficial and sometimes behind the scenes efforts to gain influence, sell ideas, impact the organization, increase power or achieve other targeted ends.”

It can be positive or negative. On the positive side it is about how to get things done and understanding the power structure. On the negative side it is about individuals who are aligning with their individual agendas and not with the larger organization. 

THE PROFESSIONAL WORKING IN A VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT

Learning the ropes of an organization and understanding the politics and intricacies of the culture, is difficult even when we are in offices. So imagine how challenging it can be when you start a job virtually without much knowledge (other than public) about the culture of a company?

Before starting a job, professionals typically research and learn about the public side of the company using LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and other websites. Once you are in the job, over time you start to ask yourself: Does the culture match and support the vision? What do I have to know to be successful in this company? What are the unwritten rules? Why am I enthusiastic about this company? How do the company goals connect to my job?

Pay attention to communication via emails, slack, and conference calls to discern if the culture is out of alignment with the stated and public description of the culture. Or do you find individuals who go against the culture. If so, why? What do they gain?

Do you see management as being aligned? And just as importantly, do they see you as aligned?

After a few weeks or months, seek out understanding about who are the ones with power and influence? Intentionally pay attention to who gets things done and who can help you get things done.

More questions include: Do you respect your leaders? Are you sensitive to and aware of individual egos and territories? Are you trusted by leadership? Can you read the “climate” of groups and individuals that you work with? Do you work to gain alliances by running ideas by them before meetings so there are no surprises and and you gain support? Do you think of the ramifications of who, what, when, and how you share important communications before doing so?

Tips for Organization Savviness:

Intentionally build trust by being authentic and sincere.

Learn the organization and how it functions. Who gets things done? Is there alot of red tape? Is it bureaucratic? Is this an organization that welcomes change?

Create a strong network to learn about the organization, power, projects, and to be visible and to get known.

Observe others who influence and persuade others. Practice influencing others with your ideas, projects, and observations. Do you create buy-in with others? Do you promote the benefits?

Hold back on saying whatever is on your mind. Think about your audience and their reactions. Is there a better time to say what you think when it can be accepted? What is the best way to frame it?

Five Signs you are in a Highly Political Organization

An individual's personal rewards do not align with organizational rewards.

There is a "system" that needs to be worked, and the best navigators are rewarded.

Urgency takes a back seat to process, and the status quo for stakeholders is to be threatened by change.

People who do not regularly produce results don't get fired or reprimanded.

The average employee has little knowledge of and visibility into decision-making.

From: Recognizing a politicized organization (David Frankel (Managing partner of executive consultant firm Slingstone Group))

THE MANAGERS AND LEADERS

What can managers do to help new professionals in a virtual environment? They can be thorough and transparent about the company's core values and also the culture of the organization during the interview process. Conduct consistent alignment check-ins when you meet with your employees one-on-one. If you don’t particularly like someone, are you able to look past it and focus on their alignment with the company?

Share information about the organization and its people, let your people know what you have learned about the organization, coach them on the unwritten rules,  Do what is right not just for your team, but for the organization too.

For yourself personally, how to avoid contributing to a policitized organization:

• Network, align and build strong relationships across the organization, as opposed to being avoidant or cliquish.

• Institute firm policies that support open feedback

• Stop negative political behaviors in their tracks.

• Don't engage in office gossip.

• Don't isolate yourself from employees (distance often leads to negative power dynamics).

DISPLAYING A PROFESSIONAL IMAGE AND PRESENCE

There are a number of jokes about how people spruce up the top half of their attire, while keeping their pajama bottoms and slippers on the lower half….and this works just fine as long as you follow your company culture and groom you hair. Below are some pointers that go beyond appearance to enhance your professional image and presence in a virtual world.

Zooming all day can be exhausting. Some leaders are encouraging people to turn the camera off, to allow them to relax alittle. But let’s assume you haven’t heard this and it is necessary and wise to keep the camera on and the phone off.

Pretty quickly people forget about the camera and start fluffing up their hair, fussing with their clothes, displaying extended yawns, and wandering eyes to other matters, but everyone is still looking. So here are some thoughts:

• Be attentive

• Take notes

• Modulate your voice

• Mirror understanding with a nod

• Speak up in meetings with comments and questions

• Try not to interrupt

• Maintain good manners

• Remain engaged

Managers can help their teams by guiding new professionals and serving as a role model, in addition to setting clear expectations for meetings, and encouraging introverted people by asking their opinions and moderate extraverts, as needed.

Because Zoom meetings can be so draining, managers can limit the number of people who attend meetings, focusing on the essential attendees. If you live in a culture where people feel included and desire invites to meeting, change the messaging that you are targeting essential attendees.

….more to come. Stay posted.