I frequently hear from in-house PR pros that their talents are underutilized at work. The truth is that unless your manager is or once was a communications professional, she probably doesn’t actually know how to best use your skill set, let alone take your career to the next level. Don’t take it personally; one doesn’t know what one doesn’t know. Rather than be sad about it, you should view this as an opportunity to “manage up.”

The most successful PR folks I know have paved their own career path by respectfully teaching their boss, boss’ boss and team members how to make the most of a communicator’s talents. Here’s how:

Show up with your own agenda, get buy-in; then, get to work: you are a professional communicator, which means not an hour goes by without you thinking about something creative, strategic or worth investigating. Take the time to map out those thoughts and put them on paper. Be specific about your goal, tactics, timeline and deliverables. Then, schedule a meeting with your manager and present your plan. I’ll bet you a latte that memo gets the greenlight. More importantly, you’ve proven you are proactive and thoughtful. And if your ideas are successful, you’ll make your boss look like a rock star–and she didn’t have to lift a finger. That means the next time you present a memo, she’s even more likely to approve it.

Take care of your boss(es): managing up is only successful when your manager trusts you. Your actions must prove that you are always acting in her/the company’s best interest. It’s often the little things, like reminding her of deadlines and helping her avoid office drama, that will assure her you’re not trying to take her job; you are simply striving to be fantastic at your own. I can’t stress this one enough. If your managing up is seen as an attempt at mutiny or to disable company hierarchy, you will fail. Read More…

It’s been nearly five months since I moved from Nashville to D.C. to take on an extraordinary job opportunity. Though I miss my family and peeps terribly,  I couldn’t be happier.

Establishing the Team Newman D.C. Bureau has been an incredible experience for my career, my marriage and my faith.

Moving away is scary but, if done correctly and for the right gig, is totally worth it. Here’s what I tell folks to consider before they pull up stakes:

1. Provide and demand transparency in the interview process. Moving for a new gig is the equivalent of moving in with your significant other: your family will freak out, your friends will become nervous and protective, and you’ll find yourself half thrilled, half second-guessing yourself.  Take no chances. You must know what you are signing up for and your employer should, too.

Examples: If you are, say, a blogger and technology columnist back home and you have no intention to stop when you get this gig, make that clear.  If you approach your work with an eye for detail that is only achieved in an environment with little-to-no distraction, say so. If the most important signpost of your workplace productivity is your vision of an ideal office culture, give your interviewees the third degree until you know know the ins and outs of your potential office.

2. Have at least four months of savings in the bank. Relocating is freakin’ expensive. SERIOUSLY. Unless your employer is paying to relocate you, your family, dogs, cars, house and will pay for your temporary housing while you look for a new place to land, you will need at LEAST four months of reserves. This means everything from first and last month’s rent up front, four months of car payments, four months of groceries. If your employer is paying for your move, congrats! Now, you’ll only need THREE months of savings.

3. Reserve judgment until month three. Know this: you are going to dislike your job, be homesick and wonder what the heck you’ve gotten yourself into for the first three months. Be prepared to think you’ve made a mistake – relocating is scary stuff — but trust your gut and know this is a smart move.

Example: As a purposeful job-hopper, I have never once started a new gig that I didn’t spend the first three months wondering what I had done to myself. Without fail, I find a comfortable stride, friends and a feeling of productivity in month four. Everyone I talk to - when they stop and think about it - finds truth in this timing. I have no idea why.

What about you? Have you ever moved for a gig? (I’m looking at you: RA, Noodles, Mere) If so, do these hold true? Have I left something out?

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