By Thomas Davis, CRNA, MAE, DNAP candidate
“All our knowledge has its origins in our perceptions.”
~Leonardo da Vinci
John is an experienced, highly motivated worker who is frequently assigned important projects with a short timeline. Regardless of the demands that are placed upon him, John can hunker down and gitter-done to complete projects on time. MaryAnn, John’s colleague, holds him in high esteem and respects his tenacity and ability to focus on a project. Kevin, another colleague, views John as aloof, hidden behind his computer in order to avoid interaction with others. He judges him with disregard.
Mary Ann and Kevin have witnessed the same person and the same behaviors and draw opposite conclusions. Yet, in their own minds, both colleagues have developed perceptions that are fair and accurate.
Perception is reality to the observer and how you are perceived by others will have a lasting effect on your career. People who create a positive memory of themselves tend to advance while those who project a negative image do not. Stephanie Ketchum, contributor to fairygodboss.com, agrees that the memories created through observation have a lasting effect noting that “…a positive perception generated by visibility is a key factor for earning a promotion in an organization.” Ketchum offers four suggestions for creating a positive image that others will remember.
- Get assigned to important jobs. Let you boss know that you are ready to step up by asking to head a project or join a team working on a vital issue. Once the assignment is made, deliver more than is required in a timely manner to demonstrate your effectiveness.
- Gain face time with leadership, make personal contact. Being in the presence of people at all levels of the chain of command makes you a known commodity and a person to be considered when projects are assigned. Gaining personal interaction with those at the executive level is more difficult but possible. Attend receptions and participate in community projects that are endorsed by your CEO. Upper level leaders of your organization want a positive public image and often will put on the gloves and spend a day working on a service project…hopefully, next to you.
- Speak up and share ideas. Those who do the job are the experts who best know areas in need of change and have ideas for improving workflow. Trust your observations and share your ideas. Frequently, those who identify a problem and propose a solution are the ones who are put in charge of the project and earn recognition when the job is brought to completion.
- Become known. Creating a positive image within the organization requires that you expand your boundaries and become known beyond your workgroup. Actively seek to participate in projects that involve collaborating with people from other work teams. For example, a perioperative safety program requires people from pre-op, intra-op, post-op and anesthesia to work together to achieve a common goal.
As healthcare workers, we are skilled professionals who provide vital services to the patient population. In the process, our activities and attitudes are constantly under surveillance by both co-workers, patients and leaders. As such, our careers will be advanced or broken based on the perception we create as we do our jobs. MaryAnn is impressed by John’s efficiency and ability to complete a task; however, Kevin is put off by John’s lack of people skills. Although John’s expertise and commitment to timelines is a magnet for significant assignments, he doesn’t appear to work collaboratively and make personal friends with others who can participate in the project. Consequently, the vital work that John does to advance his team remains unknown to others in the organization. It’s each emerging leader’s responsibility to be a magician who can create the image of being the person who can take an idea, develop a plan and engage others to bring the project to completion. Combine hard work, self-confidence and collaboration to create a perception that the team cannot function without you.
Tom is a noted author, enthusiastic speaker, committed leadership developer and superb clinical anesthetist. Contact tom@prosynex.com to book a speaking engagement.