♾️ Closing the Loop Could Save Your Job
Layoffs are top of mind, and the job market’s scale of justice is sadly teetering towards the employer’s favor. For the lucky-duck employed professionals, this is the time to dazzle the hand that feeds you. The easiest way to step up is to prioritize closing every open communication loop. It’s something totally within your control and will make you stand out.
🎙️ Ask Your Work Wife is a new podcast for ambitious professionals in Corporate America. Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Closing the loop is as simple as it is asinine. Here’s an example:
Manager: Hey, can you make sure our vendor fulfills the latest order?
Associate emails the vendor.
Associate: Yes, I’ve sent the message and will give you an update EOD.
End of day arrives
Associate: The vendor didn’t get back to me. I will call first thing in the morning.
Manager: Thank you for following up! Have a great day clocking out at 5. [This is a perfect world.]
Next day, 9:15am
Associate: Good morning! The vendors returned my call and said they received the order, and it will be at our shops by Thursday. I can inquire Thursday to make sure they were delivered.
Manager: 10/10 communicating, direct report. I can report to the C-Suite because of your diligence. I’m indebted to you and will hold off on kicking you to the curb.
The end
🤝 Is an uncommunicative cross-functional partner coming to mind? They need this info. Share it.
Sound like major corporate hand holding? Or even a bit annoying?
Effective communication can be both and that’s okay. It lets your manager know you're handling a task even if it’s not solved yet. When the inevitable ball drops, your manager will know it wasn’t you (there’s your job security 😉).
And if you don’t keep your manager in the loop?
You might as well drop the loop and close that laptop because things aren’t real if your manager doesn’t know. Pics or it didn’t happen, manager pings or it didn’t happen. It’s your job to track your job and let the powers at be know you’re doing your job. Advocate the hell out of yourself by keeping receipts for when promotions are teased, or if your merit is questioned.
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