Last updated on Apr 19, 2024

What do you do if senior stakeholders are unaware of your contributions?

Navigating the corporate landscape can be daunting, especially when your hard work goes unnoticed by those at the top. If you find yourself in a situation where senior stakeholders are unaware of your contributions, there are proactive steps you can take to ensure your efforts are recognized. This is crucial not only for your career advancement but also for the success of the projects you're working on.

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1 Track Success

Keep a detailed record of your achievements and how they contribute to the company's goals. This isn't just about patting yourself on the back; it's about having concrete examples to present when the opportunity arises. Whether it's a successful project completion or a problem you solved, make sure to document the outcome and how it positively impacted the organization. This will provide you with a clear narrative to share with senior stakeholders when discussing your contributions.

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Naba Khan

Senior Business Analyst | Salesforce Certified
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To ensure senior stakeholders are aware of your contributions: 1)Document your achievements. 2)Seek feedback from supervisors and team members. 3)Communicate your contributions clearly and directly. 4)Request advocacy from colleagues. 5)Engage directly with senior stakeholders. 6)Volunteer for high-visibility projects. 7)Build relationships beyond work discussions.

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2 Communicate Effectively

Effective communication is key in making sure your work is recognized. This means not only speaking up in meetings and sharing your successes but also tailoring your message to your audience. Understand what matters most to your senior stakeholders and highlight how your contributions align with those priorities. It's about connecting the dots between your work and the bigger picture in a way that resonates with them.

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Hasan Guel, MA, AC, BSc, BA

CFO | Interim Management | Corporate FP&A | Head of Business Controlling | Finance Business Partner | Financial Project Management
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Get Noticed: Track your achievements (quantify results if possible). Regularly discuss them with your manager. Go beyond your assigned role. Build Relationships: Network with senior stakeholders. Seek endorsements from supportive colleagues. Communicate Smartly: Tailor your communication style to their preferences. Be Persistent: Recognition takes time, keep at it!

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3 Leverage Advocates

Build relationships with colleagues who understand the value of your work and can act as advocates on your behalf. These individuals can be peers, direct managers, or other influencers within the organization who are willing to speak up about your contributions during discussions with senior stakeholders. Having a network of supporters ensures that your achievements are talked about even when you're not in the room.

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Hasan Guel, MA, AC, BSc, BA

CFO | Interim Management | Corporate FP&A | Head of Business Controlling | Finance Business Partner | Financial Project Management
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Find the right champions: Pick colleagues with strong stakeholder relationships who can speak to your impact. Empower them: Briefly explain your contributions and their results. Encourage them to share this with senior leaders. Complement their efforts: Quantify your achievements and prepare summaries for stakeholders. Be proactive: Look for opportunities to showcase your work.

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Gerard D.

Chief of Staff | Passionately Curious, Diplomatic Problem Solver
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Network within your organisation. Build mutual beneficial relationships, not only vertically but also horizontally. Make sure that you are known for all the right reasons. Work with your network by helping others as they help you.

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4 Seek Feedback

Regularly seek feedback from your manager and peers to understand how your work is perceived and where there might be gaps in visibility. This feedback can provide insights into how you can improve or adapt your approach to ensure that senior stakeholders are aware of your contributions. It also shows that you are proactive about your professional development and willing to make changes to enhance your impact.

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Hasan Guel, MA, AC, BSc, BA

CFO | Interim Management | Corporate FP&A | Head of Business Controlling | Finance Business Partner | Financial Project Management
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Before you ask: Briefly showcase your contributions in meetings or conversations to refresh their memory. When you ask: Briefly explain what you did and frame your request as seeking guidance on a specific aspect. Be specific about the feedback you want and offer flexible scheduling. Thank them and show how you'll use their input.

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5 Schedule Showcases

If informal conversations aren't getting the job done, consider setting up formal presentations or showcases to demonstrate your work. This could be a quarterly review with key stakeholders or a presentation at a company meeting. The goal is to create a platform where you can share your successes and articulate how they align with the company's strategic objectives.

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Hasan Guel, MA, AC, BSc, BA

CFO | Interim Management | Corporate FP&A | Head of Business Controlling | Finance Business Partner | Financial Project Management
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Gain visibility before your showcase: Track your achievements and share them with stakeholders. Make your showcase proposal valuable: Highlight how it benefits stakeholders and aligns with company goals. Start small and involve stakeholders: Propose a focused presentation and offer participation opportunities.

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6 Offer Solutions

When you bring up your contributions, do so by offering solutions or improvements rather than just stating what you've done. This positions you as a forward-thinking problem solver who is not only aware of past achievements but also focused on future success. It's a subtle shift from simply seeking recognition to demonstrating your value as a strategic asset to the company.

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Gerard D.

Chief of Staff | Passionately Curious, Diplomatic Problem Solver
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Providing feedback is one thing. The moment you provide feedback with a potential solution you demonstrate your value. It's not about the potential solution you offer, its about demonstrating leader- and or ownership.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Gerard D.

Chief of Staff | Passionately Curious, Diplomatic Problem Solver
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Communication is in many cases the difference between getting heard or being skipped. Learn to communicate effectively. In many cases it's not about what you say but what you ask. Learn the art of asking questions and remember that if it is not necessary to say something it is necessary to not say something.

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What do you do if senior stakeholders are unaware of your contributions?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Track Success

2 Communicate Effectively

3 Leverage Advocates

4 Seek Feedback

5 Schedule Showcases

6 Offer Solutions

7 Here’s what else to consider

Senior Stakeholder Management

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What do you do if senior stakeholders are unaware of your contributions?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Track Success

2 Communicate Effectively

3 Leverage Advocates

4 Seek Feedback

5 Schedule Showcases

6 Offer Solutions

7 Here’s what else to consider

Senior Stakeholder Management

Rate this article

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