1) Pick Key Projects to Work on That Have Natural Visibility.
These projects need to address one of two critical elements:
1. The project is maintaining a current growth pattern or
2. The project creates a new revenue stream
They also need to have clearly defined increased revenue goals associated with the project’s successful implementation. Preferably, in a manner where the goals and targets can clearly be spelled out before deployment of the project.
If this project is not a current element of your job responsibility, ask to be assigned to the project, paid or unpaid, to show initiative for career growth and professional development. You have to show that you possess ‘next-level skills’ any way you can.
2) Find a Sponsor to Champion Your Cause.
Having a mentor is important, but having a business leader campaign for your career growth and job promotion is even more important. Inside your organization, two or three levels higher than you, there are leaders looking to grow talented professionals. They know the leaders of tomorrow might be leading smaller organizational responsibilities today inside their own company. If you can attract the attention of those executive leaders and consistently deliver on your current responsibilities and duties, you have the platform and internal collateral to ask for additional direction and support. Ask!
3) Know When to Jump Roles to Gain Additional Work Experience.
Many times, high potential individuals rise within their organization to find themselves standing shoulder to shoulder with other high potential individuals. Inside that proverbial bottleneck, all are waiting impatiently for promotional opportunities. Unless you separate yourself from that crowd with additional skills and experiences, you can find yourself in a long waiting game. You can easily avoid this situation by making a lateral move to another channel or vertical inside the company. When you achieve success in broader responsibilities, you showcase the depth and reach of your business aptitudes. If possible, accept a challenge like I am suggesting with the support of a key ‘sponsor’, as mentioned above.
4) Grow Others Around You.
When you are consistently developing subordinates and the peers around you to achieve success, while also maintaining a high level of performance in your own responsibilities, you are already displaying skills of the next-level job. Most often, people who get promoted were already doing the next level job without the title or compensation. Companies are always looking for good stewards and those capable of taking on more responsibility.
5) Pick a Partner for the Climb.
Scuba divers and rock climbers never make their ascent or decent alone. They understand the importance of a successful partnership. Career climbing inside a large company should be no different. Having a peer to partner with for the climb will give you a confidant of like heart, passion and expectation. Going it alone can be treacherous. You need additional ‘eyes’ helping you avoid a misstep. A friend also gives you a cheering section that can help when times get hard or if plans stall with unexpected disappointment.
BONUS Key for Your Fast Track Climb ----- Never Quit!
If your dream is to get to a certain level of responsibility, duty and compensation inside your company, do not give up. Keep pressing forward in spite of legitimate obstacles, set backs or detours. Nobody ever completed a notable journey without making it around a few turns. Stay focused, keep your long-term expectations and dreams on your dashboard and keep driving!
By Scott Tollett
During his tenure, Scott Tollett has led three corporate restructures of acquired markets and redesigned operations to achieve revenue and customer service expectations. Scott is also the bestselling author of “Bounce Forward” and the founder of Sales Leader Experts, a legendary sales leadership program for high achievers. Scott has spoken to thousands of people with his award winning Sales and Sales Management programs and has personally mentored many professionals to career growth and achievement. More on Scott can be found at www.ScottTollett.com. or on Facebook
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