How to Use Doorframe Management to Become a Member of the Inner Circle
Ever heard of this phrase before? Keep it in the back of your mind at all times.
It’s a strategic notion to conceive and build relationships, then leverage those relationships into creating opportunities for yourself.
Picture yourself standing in a colleague’s or senior executive’s office doorway to “drop by” and catchup. Usually, I start with a “do you have a minute?”… and then stay two to three minutes and then I’m outta there.
The point is to connect quickly and with authenticity and then move along. Here are some basic rules:
- You must be present in the conversation. No showing up with 10,000 things on your mind and think this is a to-do list activity. Your emails, calls and project dramas are put aside and you are all-in for 120-180 seconds.
- No interrupting the other person. If they start to speak, shut up and listen. Interrupter’s are annoying.
- Share something of interest or funny. Period. The “of interest” is something THEY would be interested not you. That means you need to pick up on their life’s interest. Hint: Look around the room, at their pictures or perhaps you aware of an outside interest they have.
- Don’t overstay your welcome. Staying a short time and leaving them on a positive note is key.
- Most importantly, remember the conversation (even if you have to go back and write down some pertinent notes) as it is a building block for the next time you see that person.
Ultimately, you are creating goodwill and eventually, people will stop by your space and start sharing. Sharing = relationships. Relationships = trust. Trust = positive reputation. Positive Reputation = Respect and more $$. Yes, this is a type of networking but just an easier approach.
I’ve got your back.
Warmly,
Jocelyn and Team