« What's Your BQ? | Main | Boola Boola »
Tip 89 – Drive-By Flattery
If someone you know has done amazing work, don’t just thank or compliment the person. Tell his or her boss. I call this drive-by flattery and do it all the time. It will increase the person’s political capital at work...
To get complete, future tips of the week by e-mail, click here to subscribe.
Also, feel free to join the conversation around this tip by posting a comment below.
Posted by Keith Ferrazzi on September 21, 2007 | Permalink
TrackBack
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.typepad.com/t/trackback/317848/21809869
Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Tip 89 – Drive-By Flattery:
Comments
Keith - excellent tip this week. I have made it a practice to let someone's boss know when they have done something to assist me or speed a project along. It has strengthened my relationships overall, and it has created a trust-equity with many of those people who have helped me. I find that I get offers for assistance, rather than me having to reach out and ask for the assistance.
When you step back and think about it - this is just another opportunity to effectively communicate. Thanks for a great tip!
Posted by: Kristen Ritter | Sep 21, 2007 11:47:07 AM
I think is very interesting and a valuable tip because can promote and improve our relationships.
Thank you Keith!!
Posted by: Lorena | Sep 21, 2007 11:50:37 AM
Excellent - two other ways to do this are:
1. endorse someone on LinkedIn out of the blue - make sure it's meaningful and has substance.
2. Leave an endorsement on an author's book. I've done book reviews on my blog and am going back to endorse the authors on Amazon.com.
Jason Alba
CEO - JibberJobber.com
Author - I'm on LinkedIn -- Now What???
Posted by: Jason Alba | Sep 21, 2007 11:52:26 AM
Here's a tip that is not only useful to any professional in any profession but it underscores an issue I am exploring - being an expert in a particular field. When I think about networking and deepening my professional relationships, I think of "Never Eat Alone". Keith is the go-to guy for tips in this area.
Excellent tip! Thanks -
Savor life's best,
Aimee Wilson
Mia Bella's Cleaner-Burning Gourmet Candles
Posted by: Aimee Wilson | Sep 21, 2007 12:42:50 PM
Some times the word flattery carries with it the idea of being phony.
Keith is saying, I believe, that passing along sincere compliments is a little more authentic, than the word flattery by itself.
Regards,
Marilyn J. Tellez, M.A.
Certified Career & Job Transition Coach
E-mail: doitnow@nwinfo.net
Posted by: Marilyn J. Tellez, M.Ad | Sep 21, 2007 12:57:26 PM
An excellent tip, mostly because when it gets back to the person that did the good job, they will really appreciate it.
Another angle: What if this is someone who is very valuable to you, you don't do as mentioned above and next month this someone is laid off because of a merger or something?
That's when you sit down and think "What could I have done to save this persons job?"
You could have done as suggested above - that's what, and possibly saved this person's job.
Regards
Edgar Valdmanis,
Oslo, Norway
Posted by: Edgar Valdmanis | Sep 21, 2007 12:57:35 PM
While I have made sure to tell the supervisors of others about their good deeds I have neve thought to say something to someone about mentioning my performance to my boss. It is an interesing concept that I will have to try and incorprate.
Posted by: Chris McNall | Sep 21, 2007 6:54:31 PM
Keith, This is HUGE! I've been doing this for 3 decades. It builds others self esteem, helps persons get recognized and receive the remuneration they deserve, and generally makes the world a more pleasant place to live. Ping me sometime, will you please?
Posted by: Casandra Miska | Sep 22, 2007 6:33:55 AM
It's a great habit that inspires gratitude, too, thanking people for a job well done. In a world where complaints can seem to dominate a business's attention, it is good to remind everyone that people are doing a great job most of the time. I got in the habit of doing this a few years back and do it about the people who serve me in various ways such as waitresses and counter help at ticket windows, etc. These people are so often overlooked and underappreciated and a good word to their boss is very cool.
Posted by: Mary | Sep 22, 2007 7:43:14 AM
Hi Keith,
Thanks. Excellent tip. I always make it a point to let somebody's boss know that somebody did well. Not really flattery but making sure that something valuable is communicated to those who need to hear it.
Best regards,
Carlos Castellon
Quezon City, Philippines
Posted by: Carlos Castellon | Sep 22, 2007 8:42:09 PM
More gold from the master. Now if I could only figure out who Keith's boss is...
Posted by: Coach Justice | Sep 23, 2007 8:06:12 PM
Keith!
Blessings on your head! You've reminded us of a habit that makes us ALL feel good.
1. We've done good by handing out roses along the path of life and
2. We feel good about ourselves.
3. That energizes us for the next task and engenders creativity.
My continuing thanks to you!
Charlyn
Posted by: Charlyn Bridges | Sep 25, 2007 11:33:38 AM
Hi Keith,
I just started reading your book and have not finished yet. But from what I recall you specifically said thinking about "political capital" is the wrong approach and that it is unlimited and does not have to be treated as a finite amount?
Jesse
Posted by: Jesse Spaulding | Oct 3, 2007 11:04:57 AM
I was wondering what some of the more mature members here do about dating. It seems much harder for older singles to find a mate, so I might be turning to online dating for older singles.
any suggestions? thanks.
Posted by: francinedd | Oct 31, 2007 4:03:33 PM
i'm looking for some good solutions for my acne problems. thought i'd ask for advice before i buy acne treatment
any help would be appreciated. thanks,
shirley
Posted by: shirleyswanz | Nov 4, 2007 1:12:42 PM
