An Especially Important Relationship In A Downturn
This cast explains how to improve an especially important relationship during economic downturns: your boss's peers.
Your boss's peers play an important role in a downturn. There are two reasons that come to mind right away. The first is one that's important at all time, but heightened during a slow economy. It's their willingness to help you achieve what you need achieved, usually by interceding on your behalf with their directs.
If you have a good relationship with your boss's peers, they are much more likely to talk to one of their directs on your behalf, AFTER having given you 5 minutes to state your case for why one of their team isn't doing what you need them to do. They're much more likely to make a phone call for you, or look over a presentation that you need pre‐wired.
And during a downturn, almost every manager and executive tightens their circle of concern a little . . . or a LOT. If you have a good relationship with a peer of your boss, you're more likely to have a shot at these kinds of things even when things aren't going so well.
The second reason, though, is the real hidden gem. Some of our listeners have already figured it out. Your boss's peers are likely going to be in the Steel Cage Deathmatch Meeting where your job security is determined. Being well perceived by the group who will make THAT decision is a Career Tools No Brainer.
How do we do it? We have three recommendations, each of which has some detailed guidance.
Important Relationship In A Downturn Shownotes (PDF)- Important Relationship In A Downturn Slides (PDF)
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Using Names
In agreement with Mike in this Podcast, I can't stress enough how important it is to learn and use a person's name. There is nothing that I get complemented on more than that one thing. I make it a point to learn at least everyone's 1st name that comes into our 700 employee company whether they are a Housekeeping Tech or a Vice President. I'm often asked by other Director's how do I get people, no matter what department, to basically do whatever I ask them to do. I always tell them that I start by learning and using their name. Try it, it works!