Squeaky Wheels and Your Job

Dear Lynn,

I was recently passed over for a promotion after taking over the jobs of two other people – for five months. And the work still keeps coming. I know that in this economy I have to be careful, yet when I look around, I see “squeaky wheels get all the grease,” at least the recognition. I’m more of a “get the job done person” who doesn’t schmooze a lot. But do I need to start being shrewd and manipulative to get ahead?

– Quiet Wheels (Going Nowhere?)

Dear Quiet Wheels,

Squeaky wheels do tend to get more grease, but there’s a fine line between squeaky and screechy wheels, which can fall off! You don’t have to go overboard “working the system,” become underhanded, or anything of the sort. It’s a myth to think that this is how people rise to the top. Besides, if you put a lot of effort into those behaviors, you’ll lose focus of the very (wise) thing you’re doing right now, which is to perform well at your job.

Having said all that, let’s talk about the old proverb, “don’t hide your light under a bushel.” Being quiet or silent about what you do – or how you go about your job can also have its downsides. You have talents that may well be needed, especially now, when companies are trying to do more with less, within departments and even cross-functionally.

Someone recently asked me if it’s true that “if no one sees me, I won’t be fired.” I told him to rethink that, and instead to become indispensable; visible; to volunteer for more projects; even to consider writing articles on his area of expertise for the local business weekly.  Here are some other tips I can offer you:

• Stay with the friendly course: be sincere, generous, kind and open
• Demonstrate leadership skills through clear communication and proactive, decisive action.
• Document your successes and share them with your immediate supervisor and other managers
• Find meaningful ways to contribute to the organization through your unique expertise
• Communicate desires as suggestions – and problems as solutions

So don’t be afraid to toot your own horn, but be true to yourself and the job at hand. It might take a little time to get that coveted promotion. The end goal, however, is worth the wait.

Best regards,

Lynn Taylor