Why Great Work Alone Won't Get You Promoted
I recently began coaching a standout leader with a track record, CV and credentials that command instant respect. She is aiming to break into the top tier of her elite firm amid shifting leadership. Our conversation brought to mind Carla Harris's TED Talk, “How to Find the Person Who Can Help You Get Ahead at Work,” on the difference between performance currency and relationship currency. Both matter, but not equally and not forever. Early in your career, performance currency is key. You earn it by delivering excellent work, being dependable and showing promise. Many high achievers keep their heads down, hoping the work will speak for itself, while others – often less technically brilliant – move ahead faster.
Why? Because performance currency only gets you so far. To rise higher, you need relationship currency: trust, access, visibility and people who will say your name in rooms you are not in. That is sponsorship, which is built on connection, not just output. I see this all the time in coaching: respected but not sponsored. Known but not truly appreciated.
If you can relate with this, do yourself a favor, and carve out 14 minutes to watch Carla Harris's TED Talk for excellent advice on how to tap into relationship currency that moves the needle.