Ever had that moment?
“I could speak.”
“I could chair.”
“I could join a committee.”
You imagine contributing to your sector, raising your profile and growing your skills.
You start to feel excited. And then the ‘what ifs’, ‘buts’ and ‘maybes’ kick in:
“I’m too busy.”
“What about my workload?”
“Maybe next year.”
If that sounds familiar, here’s a useful ‘what if’:
What if your employer gave you the time to contribute?
Here’s how to make your case:
Position your contribution as a route to added value for your employer. And make the case in their language:
Be specific about what will be gained:
- What skills will you build and how will they benefit the business?
- What connections could you bring back?
- How does this position your organisation as a thought leader or employer of choice?
- What insight will you share with your team afterwards?
Be specific about what you need:
- The total time commitment
- Duration of contribution
- What you’ll personally invest
- What you would like from your employer
In making your case, you strengthen your commitment and you demonstrate the impact of your investment. This makes it much easier for your employer to say yes to investing in you.
Contribution isn’t a nice to have. It’s a key way of generating value for you, your Association and your employer.
Thanks for reading and happy contributing.