It is true that high performance is a prerequisite for success. But as they say that the corporate world is not for the weak-hearted, one should be aware of its harsh realities. The one always working hard will succeed. But the ones who succeed early do it differently.

They are not just working hard.

In the corporate landscape, working hard and working smart are essential to reach the top. However, in the process of climbing the corporate ladder, we have seen that building relationships with managers, skip managers, and peers are critical. In addition, you need a sponsor or senior person in the company or the industry to support you. The euphemism for the person is a mentor. This mentor should go beyond advising you to actively support you and in times of need protect you, not only in your early career but also when you are a CEO finally. the role of godfather becomes necessary. Therefore, I call this mentor – Godfather!

Having a godfather can help to make the path of your success shorter as well as boost and streamline your journey towards your dream role.

I remember working for a prestigious organization when I was young and naive. My exposure to the corporate sector was limited as both of my parents were academicians. I lived in a small town where corporate jobs were minimal. Over time I learned to manage relationships with the manager and skip manager. However, I made a mistake by raising a difficult question which was uncomfortable for the vertical leader. Due to this, he decided to transfer me to Vizag from Mumbai. Three decades ago, Vizag was like Kalapani (a cellular jail in a remote place) after living in Mumbai. While working on a special project to reduce pilferage by the distributors, I was noticed by a Chief General Manager (CGM). Let us call him Bala. Bala gradually became a mentor and godfather to me. I communicated my foolishness and narrated the entire situation, with the expectation of a resolution.

He used his power and influence to convince the vertical leader to pardon me and let me continue to work in Mumbai. Based on my godfather’s advice, I also apologized to my head for creating an uncomfortable atmosphere.

My godfather ensured the safety of my career and helped me make amends for the mistake.

Recalling my discussion with Prof SP Singh, he told me that these Chairmen of the banks were highly capable and deserved these positions. But there were others equally capable. Their father-in-law did not get them the job but helped them with the exposure. For example, whenever there were parties and social gatherings at the homes of the Chairmen attended by the directors and other highly placed people in the industry, the sons-in-law were invited. For the young professionals, this was an opportunity to discuss their achievements with seasoned leaders. When these leaders needed a person for a specific role these young professionals were the first port of call.

Learning:

Find at least two godfathers in your career:

– One in your company, to help you deal with uncomfortable situations and organizational politics
– One in the industry to help you find a new job in a different organization during layoffs and recession
– They will also provide exposure to get opportunities in the company and outside the company.

But how to get a godfather in your career?

You don’t have to necessarily marry the right person… Hahaha… Or even be born to the right parents… That is luck.

But what should you do to get lucky?

– Try to be a part of special projects in your company. This increases visibility among the top leaders and provides you with an opportunity to strike a chord with them.
– Find opportunities to reach out to your leaders and build mentor-mentee relationships with them.
– Be proactive in attending industry events and find opportunities to build networks at the industry forums. Increase visibility and build relationships with the industry leaders.

Remember that finding a godfather is valuable to your career. Having said that, a mentor-mentee relationship is a two-way road and should be built on mutual trust and respect. Your potential godfather should feel that you are committed to success in your career.

In conclusion, while hard work is necessary for success, working smart and building meaningful relationships can significantly accelerate your career progression. Cultivating mentorship relationships can provide invaluable support and guidance, helping you navigate the complexities of the corporate world and achieve your professional goals.