How to Communicate Your Value to a New Senior Executive
Just promise you'll stop before you break into the chorus of Katy Perry's "Roar"...
When a new senior executive enters the picture, it’s always a game-changing moment—like an audition the stage lights are extra bright. But, given some of the changes proposed by the incoming administration, the stakes are particularly high for feds in 2025. As you get ready to close out 2024, here are some things to help set you up for success with leadership in the new year:
1. Decode Their Priorities Like a Detective
Think Sherlock Holmes but without the funny looking hat. Dig into their vision, goals, and priorities like you’re cracking a case. Review their past projects, catch the nuances in their speeches, and observe their body language in meetings. Align your efforts with what makes them tick, and boom—you’re the Watson to their Holmes.
2. Turn Routine Tasks Into Blockbuster Results
Executives are allergic to the mundane, so don’t just tell them what you did—spin it like a marketing genius. Say, “I organized the project schedule,” and watch them yawn. Now say, “I streamlined timelines by 15% and saved $20,000—basically, I turned chaos into calm and found us a pot of gold.” See the difference? Be the headline, not the fine print.
3. Serve Up Bite-Sized Brilliance
Imagine you’re crafting the perfect appetizer—short, sharp, and satisfying. When you communicate, cut out the fluff and stick to the punchlines. Bullet points? Yes. Meandering tangents? Hard no. Executives appreciate clarity like the rest of us appreciate caffeine on a Monday morning.
Hopefully this helps you start thinking about how to present yourself (and your team) in the best light. We will be diving much deeper into this topic in the New Year. So stay tuned!
Reminder section
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