Anticipate the Need for Information

Yesterday I talked about the need to be well-informed about your industry and the overall business environment if you want to get ahead.

What I did not say then is that you also need to anticipate the need for information... and go out and get it. The people who get promoted the fastest, and do the best job of leading their companies, are those who are able to assess what will need to be done tomorrow... and then figure out how to get the job done in the most expeditious manner possible. Often this will include getting updates about internal capabilities and/or gathering market intelligence of some kind.

Once you find out what you need to know, share it generously and graciously (in writing, of course).

It is also important to share information about what the company is doing and where it is going with colleagues and employees. People can tell when change is in the air, and in the absence of information from the company, employees will create their own. This can lead to false rumours and loss of morale.

So bottom line: Keep abreast of what is going on and spread the knowledge wealth!