Have you ever wondered why some people seem to advance in their careers more quickly than others? Even those who seem less able at their job may climb the career ladder, leaving you and others in their wake. Studies have shown that certain personality traits are a significant contributor to career advancement. So, with that in mind, is it worth developing a work persona to get ahead professionally?
Why develop a work persona
Your work persona is essentially how you present yourself to others in a professional capacity. It includes your communication style, body language, and overall demeanour.
Having a strong work persona means being able to interact with others easily and being perceived as confident and approachable. Those with a high level of emotional intelligence may well have developed a work persona without any deliberate intention to do so.
For some, particularly introverts, behaving in a way that might not be natural may seem terrifying. But if you are in control of how often you interact with others such that you can limit that interaction, you could focus on quality not quantity.
Ideally you would look for careers that matched your personality. However, even in that scenario you will need to interact with others at some point. Learning how to manage work and professional interactions to your advantage may make a significant difference when it comes to professional success.
Developing a work persona
The techniques that will help you develop a work persona are not new. If you enjoy small talk you’ll recognise the same techniques and characteristics.
- Your work persona should be an extension of who you really are. Don’t try to be someone you’re not.
- Take account of your body language. Communication is not just about what you say.
- How you react to and manage others is all part of your work persona. Developing a high level of emotional intelligence is important here. Be aware of the impact of what you say and how you say it. Appreciate how different personalities can react and interpret information differently.
- People are drawn to those who have a positive outlook on life. Try to maintain a positive attitude, even in challenging situations.
- Develop an aptitude for small talk. Something that terrifies many but is a must if you want to put people at ease.
Mastering Small Talk
Small talk is the foundation of building relationships and crafting your work persona. It’s the first step towards establishing a connection with someone and creating a lasting impression.
The key to mastering small talk is to make it feel effortless. The conversation should flow naturally, leaving both people feeling comfortable and engaged.
Focus on open-ended questions that encourage discussion rather than closed-ended questions that only require a yes or no answer. For example, instead of asking “Do you like football?” try asking “What sports do you enjoy watching?”
Active listening is important. When someone else is speaking, give them your full attention and listen actively to what they have to say. Ask any successful sales person, people like to be listened to. It shows you’re interested in them and guides the conversation in new directions.
Be in control of your body language. Maintaining eye contact while speaking conveys confidence and interest in the conversation, while leaning forward slightly indicates engagement with the other person.
Be aware of cultural differences when engaging in small talk with people from different backgrounds. What may be considered acceptable or even expected small talk topics may vary widely depending on culture or region.
If you don’t feel comfortable with small talk practice with friends or family members outside of work settings. Maybe at a family dinner or party. This can help build confidence and allow for experimentation without the pressure of professional consequences.
If you feel comfortable with humour, it can be helpful if the conversation becomes stilted or as an icebreaker. But it shouldn’t be forced, so if it doesn’t come easily, leave humour out.
Professional Relationships
Building professional relationships with colleagues, others in your industry and even clients may lead to invaluable connections when it comes to looking to advance in your chosen career field. A professional work persona will enable you to manage the process of building professional relationships. A professional approach to networking with a work persona will enable you to decide what interactions to target and with what outcome.
The more you are able to increase the number of people within your industry who are aware of your talents, the more likely you are to raise awareness more widely. Building professional relationships is a great way of promoting yourself through word of mouth. But more importantly, building such a network will enable you take control of your career trajectory through DIY headhunting.
Make a plan to take advantage of opportunities as they present themselves. For instance work, training, seminars, exhibitions and networking would be ideal scenarios.
And finally…
If career advancement is important to you its crucial that you recognise the impact of your personality on others. How you behave towards others and how others react to you will shape how they regard you in a professional capacity. While your behaviour shouldn’t be falsed, developing a work persona will enable you to take control.