Seeking promotion just one way to get ahead

By Dawn Sagario

Here is a list of suggestions to help you improve your workplace status this year:

• Get a promotion. Tell your manager you're interested in taking on more responsibilities and challenges, and expanding your work skills, said Dianna Anderson, an executive coach and CEO of Lydian LLC in Johnston, Iowa.

Work with your boss on determining the specific steps to achieve your goal, and then ask for opportunities to demonstrate your abilities, Anderson said. Keep the manager informed of your progress and accomplishments.

"Be willing to be coached and mentored to learn how to be successful," she said.

• Get a raise. Do your own research, Anderson said. See how others in your industry with similar responsibilities — and who are located in different regions — are being compensated.

"You're building a business case for why you deserve a particular salary," Anderson said. Give the company specific examples of what you've done to help the company be successful.

Anderson said if business is booming, then you'll probably get a more positive reception than if times have tightened.

• Get networking. First, determine who it is you want to meet either in or outside your company, said Linda Phillips, a professional career counselor and owner of Career and Life Transition Counseling in Des Moines, Iowa.

Then, Phillips said, get involved in the same community or work projects as this person.

Or you can go for the jugular: Pick up the phone and call the individual.

Phillips said suggestions for opening the conversation can be: "I really admire the work you do," or "I'd like to learn more about the work you do."

Decide to meet for lunch or coffee, she said. At your meeting, ask the individual to share his or her interests and knowledge.

• Run away from the office. Taking a vacation helps decrease your stress level and diminishes job burnout. Two studies — one in 1992 and another in 2000 — found that those taking regular vacations were less likely to develop heart disease.

I Prep for that vacation, stress-free. Anderson, the executive coach, shared these three tips:

1. Figure out what tasks absolutely need to get done and complete them.

2. Delegate work to appropriate people.

3. Chuck the stuff that isn't important.

• Communicate with your psychotic co-worker. Sometimes a difficult co-worker just needs to be heard, said

Nan Rutter, president of Rutter Communications in Des Moines.

Open your conversation in a nonthreatening, respectful way. Rutter suggested this: "I'd like to strengthen our working relationship. And I'd like you to help me figure out how we can do that."

Go on to explain that you've noticed that your working relationship isn't as smooth as it ought to be. Then ask the person what his or her take is on the situation.

Use the pronoun "I" instead of "you," because the latter can be inflammatory, Rutter advised.

• Communicate with your psychotic boss. The same technique also goes for a problematic boss.

"The whole idea is to treat people with respect and let them know that you're interested in strengthening your relationship," Rutter said.

Don't be afraid to approach your boss. It's to a manager's best interest that you enhance your relationship, according to Rutter, who also said you might have to agree to disagree.

"We don't always have to necessarily like somebody, or agree with somebody, but we should always show respect to someone," she said.

Through it all, maintain a healthy sense of humor.

Dawn Sagario is a writer for the Des Moines Register.