When we borrow money, we usually provide collateral – a pledge of property that backs up the promise to pay the money back.  In marketing, collateral materials are items that describe what an organization does.  However, what about managerial collateral?

In the workplace, managerial collateral is the written documentation that describes and backs up our accomplishments. As we develop our management talent, let's encourage each of them to start an individual, workplace diary that keeps track of accomplishments.  Has a project been completed ahead of schedule and/or under budget?  Has a workplace challenge or problem been creatively solved? Has use of interpersonal skills helped to resolve a miscommunication or handle a conflict?

This diary, so to speak, could provide a manager with a memory jog and be invaluable to a self-evaluation , performance appraisal or when up for a promotion. This diary will help recollect the important events that have made positive impressions and achieved results, but should not be just a “laundry list” of everything done in the workplace.

For our managers, documentation of results and progress along the way is crucial to an upwardly mobile career path!