Have you ever wondered how some people seem to climb the career ladder, or jungle gym as I like to call it, at a super rapid pace? Do you wish you could be one of them?
Are you doing all the tings right that you have been told to do to but seeming to get nowhere fast? I was there only a few years ago. I was working hard, doing the travel thing, in the important meetings, but seeming to get nowhere fast. Turns out, all the things I thought were the right things, were exactly what hindered me from making the progress I wanted.
I have seen so many of my friends and clients make the same mistakes, that they actually get in their own way of success.
What are these mistakes and how can we recognize them, especially since they are camouflaged as the steps to success.
1) First, recognize what your goals are.
Do you know what you want to gain from your career? Do you want to eventually go to the C-suite? Simply have more flexibility over your schedule? Own a company? Travel all over the world and have a laptop lifestyle?
However, I wouldn’t be dead set on a certain position within a certain company. With so many new companies being created, as well as the use of technology, it is wise to look at all your options instead of being married to one end goal that might be different than what you think it is.
2) Stop saying yes to EVERYTHING from EVERYONE
When you are brand spankin’ new to the job, you may need to do some floor polishing to show you can do it. However, once people start to trust, respect, and like you, start saying no. Here’s the deal… if you are Mr. or Ms. Reliable you are going to be delegated EVERYTHING. Why?!?!? Because you will get it done. You are trustworthy with the important projects.
However, if someone else can do it better, faster, and if it does not get you in front of bigger people at your organization, say no. Simply ask if so-n-so can do it and why you think they would be better, i.e. he or she is better at spreadsheets, or are wanting to get more experience. Obviously have allies to whom you can delegate to, and not feel as if they are doing your grunt work or get blind-sided by it. If it is something that is best for you to do, ask where it falls in priority with all of your other projects so you don’t get too overwhelmed and possibly burn out.
3) Staying late and coming in early, ALL THE TIME
Yes, there are the occasional needs for a late night office pizza party to get work done or early half-asleep meetings with coffee (I used to work directly with Korea and Thailand teams, leading to frequent 6 am skype meetings). However, if you are always the last person to leave, it shows that you care more about your work than the people in your life outside of it (at least compared to everyone else in your office). If you seriously have nothing to go home to, get a hobby or pick up an evening community ed course.
Stick to a set schedule as much as possible. The down side to being the person in the office at night is that you look like you can’t get your work done on time or have no life. Which doesn’t really help you out on the likeability factor. Look around at your office culture. What time are most people who are the most respected leaving and coming in. This is the pattern that you should try and follow. If you are the last one out the door, no one else will see how hard you are working at that time anyway.
4) Start Socializing
Do you feel like having a conversation with a colleague during work hours is a waste of time? Think again! You need people to like and know you. You get that by building raptor. Yes, stay at the water cooler and say, “hi, how are you doing?” Swing by someone’s desk and ask how his or her weekend was. Remembering kids, pets, and any special interests is crucial here; in fact, some Facebook or LinkedIn digging might be appropriate.
People like people who like them (aka if you like someone else, that person will like you more). Be genuine and interested. If more people can stand up for you when you are not around, the better. Not saying that you need it, but sometimes office politics does come out to play, especially if you are trying to get a promotion that someone else might be after too.
5) Be loyal to YOU
Many people stay with companies that break promises because they do not know if they can get something else, they feel let down and think less of themselves as a person, and do not understand their value. If a company does not make due on promises to you, after upholding your part of the deal and following up, then leave.
It does not do anyone any good for you (or the company) to stay and suffer through a place that makes you feel like you are nothing. Find something that you love and take time to reflect what it is that you really want to do.
6) Step out of your comfort zone
This was the biggest tipping point for me. I accepted a position I wasn’t crazy about, but it had me directly reporting to the COO. This led to me getting a 20% raise in 6 months. I left this company a few months later for a great opportunity (only a 10% raise in salary, but an additional 20% with commissions). I learned a lot but, most importantly, I was not afraid to try out something new and applied to a job that I did not feel completely 100% qualified for. I got it, and an additional 33% raise in salary alone, plus a 20% raise with the benefits. More then doubling my total income in 8 months!
You do not have to stay with a company for 20-30 years and slowly climb your way up (yes, some companies still have this pattern of promotion, but it is going the way of the dinosaurs). I was in one of these companies, all directors had been there for at least 20 years; however, EVERYONE who was a VP or higher had been there for less than 5 years. Every 2-5 years you should be getting a promotion with a salary bump to match. If you are not, then leave. The average length of time with an employer is 4 years and the average person will have 11 different career changes right now. There are so many opportunities available, let yourself explore and try new things.