How Do I Navigate Newly Being In The Spotlight?

"I’ve been at my current company since I graduated 6 years ago. I just got a nice promotion taking over a PR function that was previously done on the outside with a contracting shop. There’s lots of visibility and I even got interviewed for the company newsletter. Sounds great, huh? Well, I went from being mostly hidden to being in the headlights, even presenting my proposals to management. I’m still learning and afraid I am on the edge, not on the work but on handling the office politics I never saw before. Any suggestions?" 🅰 AVA Advice ❇️Kudos on the nice recognition of your skills and potential! Sounds like nobody gave you the primer on how to handle the hidden rules. By virtue of your promotion, you have been conferred some new formal power. While you don’t talk about your level of your PR expertise, jump in with both feet to grow your own expert power. Consider the political position of your Director. Learn the source of his/her power and how best you can help him/her create success. ❇️Resist the urge to feel you must always be talking. This is a critical time for you to listen like crazy and guard against unnecessary chatter at those management presentations. Remember that we have two ears and only one mouth. Let your thorough and effective work product shine and stick to the script. ❇️You will quickly learn that others are uncomfortable with silence and your pauses will let others reveal their agenda and preferences. The famous artist Andy Warhol once said “I learned that you actually have more power when you shut up.” The less you say the less likely you are to put your foot in your mouth and all the buzz on you will be about your amazing results!