cityplanner.ca
Discussing big picture urban/city planning and design issues.
Jul 21, 2009
You are walking down the hall, and the General Manager turns the corner. As you both start up a conversation, he/she asks “So what do they have you working on these days?” “Uh. Ur. Transportation planning.” you stutter.
It’s not exactly an answer which will impress anyone, but with that, the GM says “Ok, well good luck with that. Have a great day." You have just missed a valuable opportunity...
Not only did you not strike a chord with the GM, you left him/her with nothing memorable to think about you or your work. You are not likely to become a go-to for anything in their mind. You never know when a similar opportunity might come up with a well-known politician, community leader, high-profile business executive, or other individual with some power (and money) to make decisions.
Something that has worked well for me - a suggestion from a past supervisor - is to always have in mind the three big projects you’re working on, with three strong points about each. That way, next time your GM, or a colleague, or a Council Member, asks what you’re working on, you can say, for example, “Too much it seems. We’re past the halfway point on the new Happy Park Master Plan, which I’m coordinating the review of. And I’m balancing a good chunk of my time between a Council Report on the Southeast Neighbourhood and a community planning session for the Riverland Neighbourhood next month.”
Now you come across confident, competent, and capable. You're doing meaningful work, and if an opportunity to work on a particular project arises that you are known to have some knowledge about, you just might get the call you are waiting for.
You also want to have in mind three big things you would like to achieve. This comes in handy for one-on-one discussions with the boss (or the boss' boss). If they know what you are interested in, and something comes up - perhaps a particular conference or course, or a project you might like, or an opportunity to connect with another department or larger strategic initiative, they will have you in mind. Unless your boss has ESP, the only way to let them know what you're interested in is to tell them.
Three is a good number. Most people don’t want to listen to much more than that. (If you can see them checking their watch or looking around, it’s probably a good time to stop talking.) Three good things about your weekend for Monday morning, and three things you’re excited about for the upcoming weekend. They don’t have to be elaborate.
The 'Rule of Three' also applies to writing. A point with three bullets, or a summary report with the three strongest points highlighted often does the trick, at least for a solid-looking first draft. Three points give your writing some substance without making you come across long-winded.
It’s not exactly an answer which will impress anyone, but with that, the GM says “Ok, well good luck with that. Have a great day." You have just missed a valuable opportunity...
Not only did you not strike a chord with the GM, you left him/her with nothing memorable to think about you or your work. You are not likely to become a go-to for anything in their mind. You never know when a similar opportunity might come up with a well-known politician, community leader, high-profile business executive, or other individual with some power (and money) to make decisions.
Something that has worked well for me - a suggestion from a past supervisor - is to always have in mind the three big projects you’re working on, with three strong points about each. That way, next time your GM, or a colleague, or a Council Member, asks what you’re working on, you can say, for example, “Too much it seems. We’re past the halfway point on the new Happy Park Master Plan, which I’m coordinating the review of. And I’m balancing a good chunk of my time between a Council Report on the Southeast Neighbourhood and a community planning session for the Riverland Neighbourhood next month.”
Now you come across confident, competent, and capable. You're doing meaningful work, and if an opportunity to work on a particular project arises that you are known to have some knowledge about, you just might get the call you are waiting for.
You also want to have in mind three big things you would like to achieve. This comes in handy for one-on-one discussions with the boss (or the boss' boss). If they know what you are interested in, and something comes up - perhaps a particular conference or course, or a project you might like, or an opportunity to connect with another department or larger strategic initiative, they will have you in mind. Unless your boss has ESP, the only way to let them know what you're interested in is to tell them.
Three is a good number. Most people don’t want to listen to much more than that. (If you can see them checking their watch or looking around, it’s probably a good time to stop talking.) Three good things about your weekend for Monday morning, and three things you’re excited about for the upcoming weekend. They don’t have to be elaborate.
The 'Rule of Three' also applies to writing. A point with three bullets, or a summary report with the three strongest points highlighted often does the trick, at least for a solid-looking first draft. Three points give your writing some substance without making you come across long-winded.
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Contact Myron Belej, MCIP, AICP at myron@cityplanner.ca to:
- invite Myron to speak at a conference or event
- feature a version of this article in another publication
- inquire about Myron's consulting or coaching services
- request more information
Learn more about 'How to Hire Myron'.
Contact Myron Belej, MCIP, AICP at myron@cityplanner.ca to:
- invite Myron to speak at a conference or event
- feature a version of this article in another publication
- inquire about Myron's consulting or coaching services
- request more information
Learn more about 'How to Hire Myron'.