You're A Subject Matter Expert, But Your Boss Won't Treat You That Way

"Why don't my bosses see my value?" Allie was pissed.

She'd been the only person in her firm with specific subject matter expertise. As a result, she is doing an entire division's work (with no direct reports). And she had kept her company out of millions in lawsuit settlements, among many other things.

Now she was convinced she wouldn't get the promotion or compensation she deserved. Of what she knows she could get at another firm.

“Why doesn't my boss know what a rockstar I am?!”

As with any student, I’m on Allie’s side.

And in this case, I had to look at it from her boss’ perspective, too…

How Your Boss Thinks

In an ideal world, bosses would make the time and space to fully understand how each of their colleagues supports their work and the organization’s goals. 

But sadly, we don’t live in an ideal world because of patriarchy, racism, capitalism, greed, and much more. But that doesn’t mean you still don’t want recognition and to be rewarded fairly for work.

Sorry to say, it’s not all on your boss to process and promote your contributions if you can’t articulate them yourself. (especially in mid-career!).

How You Should Position Yourself

When it comes to marketing and positioning yourself for a promotion or a new role, it’s a two-way street between you and your stakeholders.

Leadership is the generous act of helping others become who they seek to become. It involves creating honest stories—stories that resonate and spread.

Seth Godin, marketing leader, said:

To be seen and paid as a leader, you must learn to tell a good story, beginning with your own.