Last post, I talked about the mindset you need to have if you have aspirations to move up in your organization. The big message from that post was that you need to be willing to do more than expected if you want to progress beyond your current role.
Here are a few things that I learned about how to do that.
- Adaptation is key. You need to change and adapt quickly or risk losing the spot you’ve been coveting to somebody else. You are always competing with other people, whether you know it or not. While I may have been good enough on a previous version of my varsity soccer team, the players who came up after me were by far superior. These guys put in a ton of work, and develop some serious talent over the years. There was no question who was better. Just because I was older, and because I was already there on the team, doesn’t mean I deserved a spot.
- You need to be the best at what you do. Analyze your performance on different tasks or projects and take note of your areas of strength and areas of growth. Seek out feedback, lean into challenging moments, and make time to develop yourself. Improvement only comes through deliberate practice and training. The relationship is simple. The more time you spend practicing, the more honed your skills will be. You can do this by reading books, asking your manager for support, attending professional development sessions, and reflecting regularly on your progress.
- People need to be able to see you in a higher role. Excellent performance in your role means you are great at what you do, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that you will be great in a new role. Volunteer for projects or initiatives that may not necessarily be directly tied to your role. Not only will you have opportunities to continue to develop your skillset, but you will also provide yourself with much needed exposure to others in the organization. People can’t advocate for individuals they don’t know or haven’t seen in action.
Regardless how long you’ve been in your organization or field, remember that nothing is given. Everything has to be earned. If you’re not being strategic about your future, then who will be?
