Invest Your Reputation in Others

Make someone else’s success your business.

Invest your political capital in a diverse network of top-performers and see returns like:

Expanded influence

The more people you invest in, the more people you’ll have who are likely to support you when you need them.For example, if you’ve supported a protege’s promotion, they might be more likely to go the extra mile to support you on a project.

Access to diverse perspectives and markets

If you want a 360-degree view of your organization or clients, it isn’t enough to have meaningful relationships with your peers. By investing in someone with less political capital than you, you get access to perspectives you wouldn’t ordinarily have access to.

According to research by the Center for Talent Innovation, only 15% of employees who don’t sponsor are aware of junior colleagues’ concerns within their organization.

Making a positive difference 

By taking responsibility for developing talent within your organization, you can ensure your organization has higher retention rates. According to the Center for Talent Innovation, across race and gender, employees are more satisfied with their rate of advancement when they have a sponsor.

Let’s practice.

What reason would you give to a colleague on why they should invest their influence in others?

Quiz 1 of 1

What reason would you give to a colleague on why they should invest their influence in others?

a
It’s the right thing to do.
b
It’s the only way to grow your influence within the organization.
c
Because others will, in turn, invest their reputation in you.
d
You’ll get more insight into other points of view on your work.

The answer is D.

Investing your reputation in others builds relationship with people outside of your peer group. A benefit is that both sides get access to more diverse perspectives on your organization and its goals.


Invest Your Reputation in Others
Video Transcript

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