Executive Business Coach, Connie Whitton – “Don’t Sit Back and Wait For an Invitation to the Corporate Party”

Successful women today aren’t afraid to ask men out on dates, attend business functions alone, support themselves and live alone. Why then, do they wait to be asked to advance at their jobs? Connie Whitton’s experience tells her that many women simply fail to move up because they are waiting for an invitation. “Don’t wait to be asked to the dance,” she said. Whitton is an executive coach who began her career in sales and marketing. She later transitioned into executive positions at several major corporations before establishing Whitton Consulting Group eight years ago.

Whitton loves to coach and “takes executives to the next level.” Shockingly in her own executive days, she balked when the corporation hired an executive coach for her. In fact, she tried to get out of the arrangement! Whitton learned, however, that although she had the skills already, her executive coach moved her forward in about half the time it would have taken her on her own. She now shares that message with the woman and men she coaches to success.

Much of Whitton’s philosophy can be summed up in one word—ASK.

Ask for Assistance you Need
Whitton encourages women to be results-oriented and proactive in seeking the career advice and experiences that will speed their careers along. Nothing irritates Whitton more than “leaders who whine over things they should be fixing themselves.” While most often companies hire her to assist with their executive team members, Whitton offers a tip for women whose companies might not have offered an executive coach to them—ask.Meet with your managing partner or CEO and ask to use your personal development money toward an executive coach. If you feel stuck or frustrated, the only person who wants to see you succeed more than you is probably your boss.

Ask for the Experience
No one becomes comfortable speaking in front of or with an executive board overnight. Sometimes the career path to the top affords few opportunities to garner this much-needed experience. Whitton advises women to ask for a seat at the table. A young sales manager, for example, might ask for the opportunity to present to the board about a particular strategy she used to build the relationship with a large client. Make certain that you are not a space holder in meetings; be at the table to contribute something. The experiences that move your career forward will not be front and center in the minds of most of the board.

Ask for Feedback
CEOs, CFOs and Presidents, in Whitton’s experience, rarely receive regular feedback on their job performance. It is in an executive’s best interest to open dialogue with the board of directors more frequently than at annual review time. A company president should want to hear how the board thinks she is doing. Sit down with the president or vice-president to get their opinions on your performance. Make sure that they understand your vision for the company. Make sure your vision and strategic plan align with their goals. Where do they see gaps? How will you address those gaps? Check in six months later with your progress.

Ask about Expectations
Communication with your board should be a two-way street and dialogue should not involve only compensation discussions. Make it your goal to have a conversation with the Chairman of the Board. Ask, “What are your goals as board chairman? and “How can I help you accomplish them?” Or go to the committee chair with which you have the most contact and ask for feedback, ask, “What is your vision?” It’s easy to forget that you are all part of the same team, and aligning your goals will move everyone along more swiftly.

Whether you are on the rise in your company, or you have already made CEO but feel stagnant, it is your job to move yourself forward. You shouldn’t have to sit back and wait for an invitation to the corporate party. Consider this a Sadie Hawkins dance. You choose. You do the asking.