Establishing credibility at work

Jo Miller, guest columnist

Whether starting at a new company, in a new position or simply taking on more responsibility, most of us want to begin on the right foot.

For many emerging leaders, that means establishing credibility and influence, qualities for which Nina Bhatti is an inspiring role model.

The founder of Kokko Inc. was formerly chief performance architect with Hewlett-Packard, where her research has resulted in commercially successful products for some of HP's largest customers.

I asked what suggestions she could offer to someone who wanted to build credibility and the positive influence to make a difference in his or her organization. Bhatti provided the following three steps for establishing credibility and influence:

1. Execute well

While acknowledging that establishing credibility is never actually easy, Bhatti did advise, 'When you enter an organization, your first job is to build credibility. You must say what you are going to do and then do what you say.”

Be aware that people are watching to see if you can be relied upon to deliver what you say you will deliver, so when given an assignment, you must confidently execute well.

'You need to show enthusiasm and engagement with the mission of the organization,” Bhatti said. 'You need to take on assignments and do them confidently and enthusiastically.”

People will learn to trust you and know that you are going to achieve what you say you will do.

'Train people that you are good for it,” Bhatti emphasized.

2. Contribute to the goals of the organization

Bhatti's next step requires finding valuable ways to contribute to your organization and making those your priority.

'When there is an opportunity,” she suggested, 'show professionalism. Help other people, but never forget what your main goal is.”

If you're not clear on the objectives of your role, Bhatti would encourage you to clarify those goals with your manager.

Bhatti cautioned against taking on volunteer assignments that do not directly contribute to the organization's business goals.

'As a junior person,” she explained, 'I volunteered not to be on the site beautification committee but for things like recruiting new interns. I knew a lot about colleges and universities and what to look for in a summer student.

'I got opportunities to work with people I would never have the opportunity to work with as the bottom rank player.”

Choosing which roles to volunteer for helped her career while helping the organization.

3. Seek out influential sponsors

To make your mark on the business, find an initiative that you want to do, which is also a leader's goal.

'Find somebody in a position of power and authority who has something to gain from you succeeding,” Bhatti said.

Early in her career, Bhatti approached a senior vice president who needed to accomplish something for a large customer.

'I gave him something that I could do that he really needed to deliver,” she recalled.

As a result, the senior vice president intrinsically was motivated to become her sponsor.

Want to become a go-to influencer in your role? You can get there much sooner if you execute well, show engagement with your organization's goals and line up influential sponsors.

l Jo Miller is founding editor of BeLeaderly.com and CEO of Women's Leadership Coaching Inc. Twitter handle: @jo_miller