74: Why Ops Execs Should Brag More (Yes, Really)

Find the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/74.

Did you know that, according to Harvard Business Review, the average executive spends 23 hours a week in meetings*? Yet most of them have a hard time communicating their value? Think about it: 23 hours in conversation. But how much of that time is spent telling the story of what you bring to the table? 

If you’re an operations executive, this might hit close to home. You’re the one making sure things actually get done. But how often does your work get the spotlight it deserves?

In this episode, you’ll learn why telling your story is one of the most powerful career moves you can make, and why storytelling isn’t just for marketers or salespeople: it’s for you, too. Plus you’ll get a simple but game-changing first step to help you start crafting your own narrative today. 

Transcript

Did you know that, according to Harvard Business Review, the average executive spends 23 hours a week in meetings*? Yet most of them have a hard time communicating their value? Think about it: 23 hours in conversation. But how much of that time is spent telling the story of what you bring to the table? 

If you’re an operations executive, this might hit close to home. You’re the one making sure things actually get done. But how often does your work get the spotlight it deserves?

In this episode, you’ll learn why telling your story is one of the most powerful career moves you can make, and why storytelling isn’t just for marketers or salespeople: it’s for you, too. Plus you’ll get a simple but game-changing first step to help you start crafting your own narrative today. Find the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/74.

The Invisible Heroes of Business

Hey Ops Execs, 

Let’s talk. You are the backbone of your organization. You’re the ones who make sure those promises get delivered, the systems run smoothly, and the teams stay on track. But let’s be honest. How often does anyone really see what you do?

Here’s the thing: Being great at operations isn’t enough if no one knows about it. And that’s not because people don’t care. It’s because they just don’t understand. Your work is often behind the scenes, and unless you tell your story, it stays there.

Now, before you roll your eyes at the idea of ‘story telling,’ hear me out. I’m not talking about fluff or exaggeration. I’m talking about making the impact of what you do real in a way that people can connect with and remember.

Crafting Your Story: Tips & Techniques

For example, instead of saying, ‘We streamlined a process,’ you might say: ‘Our team cut production time by 20%. This means we delivered faster to customers and saved $70K in costs last quarter.’ 

See the difference? One is a fact. The other is a story with results people can feel.

Here’s another example: Rather than saying, 'We implemented a new project management tool,' try saying: 'Our team adopted a cutting-edge project management platform that increased our on-time project completion rate from 75% to 95%. This led to a 20% increase in client satisfaction scores and three new referrals from happy clients.'

When you can tell your story clearly and powerfully, it changes how people see you. Suddenly, you’re not just someone who keeps things running behind the scenes. You’re a leader driving results that matter to the business. And guess what? That’s how promotions happen. That’s how opportunities find you.

Putting It All Together: A Coaching Challenge

I love working with operations execs because you already have incredible stories. You just don’t always realize it. You’re solving problems every day that most people wouldn’t even know how to approach. You’re making decisions that ripple across the entire organization. 

You’re not just part of the process. You are the process.

So, here’s my challenge for you: Think about one big win from this past year, something your team accomplished because of your leadership. Now ask yourself: If I had to explain this win in a way that even my neighbor could understand and get excited about, how would I tell that story?

That’s your coaching question for today: How can you turn your biggest win into a story that others can see, feel, and remember.

Start there and watch how people start to see you differently. And let me know how it goes. 

Want to take your ops career to the next level? Let’s connect and create a tailored plan for your success. Pop over to YourFutureRealized.com/VIP and let’s get started.

You can’t stop the chaos, but you can change the game.

*Source: Leslie A. Perlow, Constance Noonan Hadley, and Eunice Eunice H. Kim, "Stop the Meeting Madness," Harvard Business Review, July–August 2017. https://hbr.org/2017/07/stop-the-meeting-madness