If you’re an internal auditor and you want to make a real difference, then being rated as ‘meets job description’ Isn’t good enough. You need to add value beyond Level 1.
This is tied in with the four different levels that you (or anyone) can add value to your organization.
Level 0 is, well, worthless. You’re not doing your job. You’re not adding value. Obviously, you don’t want to be at Level 0. Because you won’t be there for very long. I don’t even count this as one of the four value-add levels.
To recap a prior post, at Level 1 you’re actually doing the work. You’re meeting job expectations. And that means you’re adding value, at least according to whoever wrote the job description. If you’re new to the job, this is probably a reasonable goal. But, if you expect to get ahead, you don’t want to stay at Level 1 for very long.
And here is the difference between Level 1 and Level 2.
At Level 1, your boss assigns you a task and shows you how to do it.
At Level 2, your boss explains a problem and has confidence you can take it from there.
The way to consistently operate at Level 2 is to understand and deliver what your boss actually needs.
So what does that look like?
You’re no longer generic. You are not defined by your job description. While others may be just one resource within the pool of internal auditors, you’re recognized as being more than the job description.
For this to work, there are two necessary components.
First, you need to understand context. In other words, you need to be familiar with your boss’s world. You need to be able to see the problem from their perspective if you expect to solve it to their satisfaction. So make that a priority. Learn your boss’s goals, responsibilities, and constraints.
Second, your boss needs to understand that you’re not generic. And, trust me, you’re not. We are each special. We have our own interests, skills, and experiences. And your boss needs to know about them so they can decide 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘮.
So, to reach Level 2:
– you have to take it upon yourself to craft a uniquely valuable set of skills, experience, and an understanding of the big picture, and
– your boss needs to know about it.
You’re actually starting to develop your personal brand. And that’s the key to moving up to increasingly higher value-add levels.
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