It's one thing to fill a seat at the table. It's another thing to earn that seat.
Earlier this year, we had an empty seat at the leadership table in our business unit. It was the spot reserved for our finance lead, whose job it is to ensure we meet - or exceed - our plans while staying aligned with the greater business. And it's a job that goes a lot deeper than what can be quantified in revenue and expenses.
A few months ago, Andrea Kruger filled that seat, claiming the spot directly to my right. We immediately clicked, and that's been her seat ever since. Whether it's our dedication to moving the business forward, mutual focus on getting the right results, passion for mentoring and developing future leaders, shared stories about our kids or love for the perfect pair of heels, we quickly formed a strong bond. She's also darn good at her job, and she makes me better at mine.
We can all learn a thing or two from Andrea and our relationship. So, I asked her to help me come up with some tips for developing a lasting relationship with the business unit you support. Here they are:
•Bring your "A" game - Come to the table prepared. You need to show the value you offer. This means taking the initiative and presenting your ideas for how to drive improvement in the business. It's also important that you connect the dots for the business. When you compile reports, call out the "so what's," crisply highlighting the areas of focus. •Be accessible - It creates a sense of comfort and reliability to know your team is easily accessible, to know that they will always be there when you need them, and to know that they have a strong sense of the organization's day-to-day heartbeat. •Think and act like a shareholder - You need to keep the big picture in mind, helping the business make balanced, holistic decisions based on the broader impact they will have. You're there to drive the company forward, so you should be operating under that unified perspective. If business units stray, don't be afraid to remind them that you're paid to make the right decisions on behalf of the larger company, not individual goals. •Be an advocate - Your partners need to know that you have their backs. They need to know that you understand their business and their goals and that you will advocate for their needs. Come to work every day with the desire to move the business forward, and be as passionate about them hitting their numbers as they are. •Make it personal - It's easy to get lost in the numbers. But to build a solid foundation, spend time getting to know each other. Despite all the items on your to-do list, be sure to carve out time to connect on a deeper level. And by making time to connect on a personal level, it'll help you power through long lists of to-dos, creating a level of understanding, trust and fun that connecting on the business alone can't do.
Whether you are brand new to an organization or you've been supporting it for years, never be afraid to jump right in. If you can get yourself to the table, and if you can prove yourself, you will get invited back.