BoomerGirl Diary

Dear Christine,

I have two colleagues at work. One talks a lot and gets a lot of attention. She seems to command authority even though she holds a junior position. She isn't saying anything people don't already know, but she speaks with a kind of weight and is heard with a level of authority. She is taken seriously even though, behind the scenes, she has a lot of problems. She maintains a minimum level of work but makes people think she has everything under control. She isn't going above and beyond the call of duty, yet she somehow manages to hold people's trust and confidence.

I have another co-worker who holds more responsibility. She really does her job well and works hard. She is not a wallflower or anything but, for some reason, people don't pay attention to her concerns. During all-staff meetings, she will raise a legitimate issue but will not really be heard. She might be acknowledged but her concerns aren't truly addressed. She is brushed off and not really respected.

I am relatively new to our company and want to advance but am confused about the best tack to take. How do you become someone who works hard, does a good job, AND commands authority, trust, and confidence?

Signed,

Corporate Carol

Dear Carol,

Each individual brings to his or her position a unique set of abilities. The person you describe who is in a “junior” position, whose words carry weight, appears to possess strong interaction skills. Individuals like this utilize a disarming portfolio of attributes and abilities including but not limited to: personality, charisma, communication, confidence, energy, and optimism. I call this the “X Factor.”

It’s not that she isn’t “doing anything,” per se. People with strong interaction skills can easily attract and sustain the attention of others, particularly in a staff meeting. You also describe her as someone who is apparently skilled at managing “perception” in terms of her work ethic and organizational skills. I am sure you have heard of the axiom “perception is reality.” Your co-worker may be managing herself according to this subtle but powerful workplace phenomenon.

Often, people enjoy a positive image or high regard when evaluated from a distance. When an individual’s performance is scrutinized with greater closeness, however, these positive perceptions become balanced by more realistic factors. In other words, you are close enough to see through the veil. Another point to consider is that this individual may have contributed to the organization in positive ways which you are not aware of. Unless you supervise her, you can’t be privy to all her assignments and achievements.

Your other colleague who possesses the admirable and highly valuable traits you describe and, obviously, respect. She may not have the “X” factor like your colleague or she may be presenting her concerns in a manner which shuts people down. It is difficult to determine why one person evokes a positive response in others and why another creates little to no impact.

To succeed in the workplace, one needs to be exceptionally competent in their functional role and possess solid workplace virtues such as ethics, loyalty, and honesty. Finally, the individual needs the “X” factor - the ability to be attractive to others.

In a nutshell:

1. Admire your co-workers for their strengths and be tolerant of their imperfections.

2. Success in the workplace is a combination of substance AND style.