How to please and win the Kingmaker

How to Please and Win the Kingmaker

In whatever field you are and whichever organization you are working for, there is always a “Kingmaker”, whom you have to identify to move up. Remember, your hard work, dedication, commitment and loyalty to the organization will carry a lot of weight, while considered for promotion, but without a kingmaker backing you, you are less likely to succeed.

Once you have identified the kingmaker in your organization, the next important question is how to win his confidence, since there might be others also like you and you have to race ahead of them.

Following ways can help you please and win the confidence of the kingmaker.

1.     Loyalty: Support his decisions and praise his work. Never criticize him and always talk high of him. He will certainly take a note of this.

                                                                   

2.     Agree with him: Every kingmaker is aware of his importance. He is tuned to hear “yes” and that he is “right”. Never ever your words or expressions should convey that he is wrong. Even if you have to differ with him on some assignments, first, you should have strong reasons and second, you need to put them as questions and not as comments.

3.     Do what he wants and the way he wants: In any organization it is usually the word of the kingmaker that is final, no matter how valuable or even economically viable your suggestion may be. Do not take the risk instead support his suggestions and projects. You are also likely to get some credit if his suggestions or projects yield results. Another caution, do the job, the way he wants, you will get ample opportunity later to make use of your creative mind.

4.     Touch topic of his interest: Try to find out what are the things that are of interest to him – movies, sports, paintings or politics. Keep yourself updated. Howsoever, professional or busy he may be, but if you touch the subject of his interest, he will have all the time. This will give you two advantages ,               

                 one,  an opportunity to spend some more time with him                            

                 secondly,  it will be an indicator to others, how close are you to him.

5.     Be his Eyes and Ears: Be a channel of information for him. Any news of other verticals/ departments, if you have, pass it on to him.

6.     Take his advice: Though advice for free is readily available, but if it boosts his ego and gives him a feeling that how important he is for you, he will always have a soft corner for you.

7.     Listen: Kingmakers are great talkers. They will always have lot to tell about – their success, achievements and growth. At times, may be, about their families and themselves. Be a nice listener and appreciate.

There is no denying the fact that kingmakers do exist in every organization and influencing them in your favor is an art. You have to stretch yourself  bit more to be in his eyes. Your hard work apart, the above traits will take you a long way in your organization.