When Should You Stop Trying to Win Senior Support? Here's the Truth
Knowing when to stop trying to win senior support can be tough. You've sent emails, left voicemails, and followed up for weeks or even months. But sometimes, silence is a sign. The simple answer is: you should slow down, not stop completely. If you've tried multiple times without any response, it's time to pivot your strategy. Before you give up entirely, try these four last-ditch efforts to win over a senior leader.
1. Build Relationships with Multiple Senior Leaders at Once
Don't put all your eggs in one basket. While you keep trying to connect with your original target, start reaching out to other senior leaders. Think of them as your personal board of directors. Having support from several people is more powerful than relying on just one. Plus, company decisions like promotions or raises often need approval from more than one person. This approach also helps if you want to make a lateral move or expand your role.
2. Ask a Matchmaker to Help
If you already have a good relationship with another senior leader, ask them to put in a good word for you. Or, find someone who has been mentored by the unresponsive leader. That protégé might be able to set up a meeting. You can also check your company's employee resource groups. Someone from those groups may have the connection you need to get an audience.
3. Add a Clear Deadline to Your Request
Your senior leader might have seen your message but sees no reason to reply quickly. Best networking is not always urgent, so they may not realize you're waiting. Fix this by adding a deadline. For example, say you want to discuss a business pitch you're finishing by end of month, or prepare for an internal interview in two weeks. A deadline creates urgency and shows you need a response.
4. Try a Grand Gesture
Senior leaders are often pressed for time. Emails and voicemails are easy to overlook. Stand out with a small, thoughtful gesture. Include a Starbucks gift card with a request for a skip-level meeting. Or deliver a short slide deck of your business idea. If you haven't shared a compelling business idea, that might be why you're not hearing back. A grand gesture shows you are serious and creative.
Reframe Your Thinking: Slow Down, Don't Give Up
There are many reasons why networking outreach fails. Instead of moving on forever, just slow down for now. If you were emailing every two weeks, switch to every two months. Spend your energy building connections with other leaders. With more time, you might hear back from that original senior leader. Or you might find even better support from someone else. The key is to keep trying, but smarter.
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