Do you network above your boss? Just re-learned a valuable lesson.

[Zeze]

5 years ago I learned a very heart-felt lesson- don't put all your eggs in one basket.

I was supporting my ex-boss 100%. I wanted to be his right hand man. I worked my ass off and went above and beyond for him. But guess what? I was naive and didn't have the foresight to think in his shoes.

Everyone (obviously) look out for their interest foremost.

My ex-boss liked me. How could he not? But he ended up hogging me- promoting me or getting me into a better position meant he'd be losing a good worker. So I was stuck in the same position. And guess what? He got laid off. Suddenly I was all alone. My #1 invested player was gone. Few months later, I was laid off too.

I thought to myself- be that 'room worker' that network to everyone and commit to no one.

5 years later today, at my new job, I finally found my own feet. I networked the hell out of everyone especially people ABOVE my boss.

Long story short, I found out I'm promoted today. And of course my immediate boss liked me so much he wanted to keep me in same position, but it was my BOSS' BOSS that forcefully pulled me out because they needed me in a better place.

This is so important. Work well for your boss, but fuck them. If you want to move up, obviously network past him.

 

[JEDIYoda]

lesson learned...congrats on your promotion!!

 

[dbk]

#Humblebrag

 

[Ruptga]

Every time I read "networking" in this context I think "asskissing and conniving," am I wrong?

 

[Printer Bandit]

does networking involve playing squash and hanging out in saunas?

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

It's a weird thing. I know it happens and I understand why, but I have no "up" to go to, at least that I would want. Consequently I see all the strange games that people play in social hierarchies, and it strikes me much the same as dogs peeing on trees. Congrats on getting promoted though. It's just that humans are funny animals.

 

[KlokWyze]

Congrats on the promotion. I hope it came with a fat pay raise.

"Networking".... that really just means socializing. The social structure is always what really determines who doesn't get fired, who gets promoted, etc., etc. Never has shit to do with skills or work ethic, though this doesn't hurt by any means.. Business is all who you know, timing and your negotiation skills. That's it.

 

[KlokWyze]

It's a weird thing. I know it happens and I understand why, but I have no "up" to go to, at least that I would want. Consequently I see all the strange games that people play in social hierarchies, and it strikes me much the same as dogs peeing on trees. Congrats on getting promoted though. It's just that humans are funny animals.

:thumbsup:

 

[brainhulk]

Never let anyone outside the family know what you're thinking

I feel more godfather quotes coming

 

[CPA]

Congratulations, I was promoted yesterday too. However, it's with the same bosses (I have two). That said, the CAO invited me to a luncheon/speaking engagement next Tuesday which I will be attending. CFO is expected to be there, as well. Time to network/socialize/kiss ass.

 

[rudeguy]

Congratulations, I was promoted yesterday too. However, it's with the same bosses (I have two). That said, the CAO invited me to a luncheon/speaking engagement next Tuesday which I will be attending. CFO is expected to be there, as well. Time to network/socialize/kiss ass.

Try not to bump your head on the bottom of the table

 

[sdifox]

Congratulations, I was promoted yesterday too. However, it's with the same bosses (I have two). That said, the CAO invited me to a luncheon/speaking engagement next Tuesday which I will be attending. CFO is expected to be there, as well. Time to network/socialize/kiss ass.

sucker...you are the fall guy.

 

[mistercrabby]

Nothing wrong with getting to know people in your org. I'd expand on the the OP's premise that networking across, up and down is a great way to understand your company better, be more effective and increase your visibility. If you go into it with a genuine interest in people regardless of what the person can do for you it's not really a douchy self-serving artifice, is it? Do it to add value and you get value out of it. Do it for selfish reasons and people will usually see through it. That's where you get a rep for ass kissing or only being nice when you want something. Not good.

OP obviously has skills and talents beyone his/her social skills. Let's not discount that. It ain't just about who you know, it's also about what you know and what you can do. You have to be the whole package. You'll still likely to get shitcanned at some point anyway, but it increases your odds of surviing random layoffs and moving up or having more opportunities.

You and you alone are responsible for the direction and quality of your life.
-Robert Pickard

 

[zCypher]

Networking has worked out well for me too. I didn't do it at my previous job where I was on a contract, and I was not kept despite being a top performer. Other people with considerably less skill were kept though. Now that I've learned my lesson, it seems so obvious. I'm glad that things played out the way they did though as I'm now in and at a much better place.

There is a difference between kissing ass, backstabbing coworkers and networking. Networking is nothing but socializing for the sake of helping yourself and others, building mutually beneficial relationships with people across the organization. I make a serious effort to remain out of office politics, and I think I succeed in that on the most part. I have no interest in management though, so that's probably a big reason why I can do that.

I have missed opportunities and gained others - but the great ones I have been able to take advantage of absolutely would not have happened without my having networked a lot and gotten myself recognized in a positive light. No need to kiss anyone's ass to do that. If you have no choice but to kiss ass to go anywhere, you're probably lacking in other important areas.

 

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

Amen OP. My immediate boss (both during co-op and fulltime) is a c*nt and kept trying to rope me into shady sh*t like network marketing and real estate.

Networked with people both parallel and above her up to the VP level (unintentionally since my job did require that I do that). Landed a fulltime position without an interview (the "interview" consisted of knocking back a few with the Dir and Exec Dir at The Flying Saucer) and got a pay equal to some senior people in the group for an entry-level position.

 

[SKORPI0]

Every time I read "networking" in this context I think "ass kissing and conniving," am I wrong?

Making yourself visible to the higher ups and them knowing your strengths, weakness and skills helps in the long run. Ass kissing can only bring you so far with nothing to back it up. Congrats to the OP.

 

[CPA]

Try not to bump your head on the bottom of the table

Whatever it takes....

 

[CPA]

sucker...you are the fall guy.

The great thing about my position is that if I am the fall guy, I'll be the first to know.

 

[TecHNooB]

Try not to bump your head on the bottom of the table

looooll

 

[dr150]

Congrats on the promotion. :thumbsup:

BTW, I learned early on to become cynical to think about sticking around to obtain good, worthwhile promotions by sticking around.....Too much politics interfering!

The best thing to do is to put some time/experience in your job (1-2 years), then get "promoted" by taking a job at a competing company.

Silicon Valley (tech) and New York (finance) are a dream come true to pull this off as there's so many companies to move on to. In bumblefuck Iowa, this would be a different story.

 

[CPA]

Congrats on the promotion. :thumbsup:

BTW, I learned early on to become cynical to think about sticking around to obtain good, worthwhile promotions by sticking around.....Too much politics interfering!

The best thing to do is to put some time/experience in your job (1-2 years), then get "promoted" by taking a job at a competing company.

Silicon Valley (tech) and New York (finance) are a dream come true to pull this off as there's so many companies to move on to. In bumblefuck Iowa, this would be a different story.

That's what I did when I was younger, but I liked the stability the older I got. Plus, if you work at a large enough company there is plenty of opportunity to advance or do something different.

 

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

Making yourself visible to the higher ups and them knowing your strengths, weakness and skills helps in the long run. Ass kissing can only bring you so far with nothing to back it up. Congrats to the OP.

This. There's nothing wrong with ensuring that people know that you're doing good work.

 

[Zeze]

Thanks for your kind words and great input on just what I was thinking.

Yes, networking =! ass kissing without talent

We got some sharp ass mofos in my company. Ass kissing won't go ANYWHERE if you're shitty at your job.

Doing great at your job and silent = underselling yourself terribly
Doing great at your job and know how to make yourself available to everyone = good.

That's networking.

 

[sdifox]

The great thing about my position is that if I am the fall guy, I'll be the first to know.

Good, every single fall guy before you thought so too.

 

[highland145]

This is so important. Work well for your boss, but fuck them. If you want to move up, obviously network past him.

Uh, are you trying to eff my wife?