Did I just say that? Did I dispel every belief you had about working harder to get ahead? I’ve learned the hard way that you can only get promoted so far with your technical capability and hard work and then you hit a wall and then you get frustrated.
I’m even more frustrated when leaders in the C-Suite are not transparent about what to tell their staff why they cannot get ahead. Could it be you want to protect their resources? Or do they lack the skills to articulate feedback that will either help the employee or steer them in the right direction?
Well, today is a new day and I’d like to share with you my experience and a framework that can help you to work smarter and get promoted faster.
In a past role, I worked hard and I received 4 promotions in 7 years. That all came to an end when my advocate moved on and then I was stuck. I started shopping myself around within the company and no door would lead to where I wanted to go both career and financial. Instead I turned my energy outside and with that move to a new company, I was moved up again to 2 promotions in 4 years. This success happened by taking control of my career, networking with the right people and setting goals for myself. I soon learned that hustle doesn’t always work but the way you work will get you ahead faster.
So let’s turn to you: How do we turn this into a framework that can work for you?
5 Tips for working smarter, not harder towards your career goals
- Advocates: are people who have your back and are always singing your praises. Lean into it, see how you can help, they are the ones that will promote or pull you ahead.
- Messaging: It’s not what you say, but how you say it – I teach this information vs. messaging; an essential skill you need. Contact me if you want to learn more, I talk about this as one of the highest missing skills for up and coming leaders
- Talking points – aka executive presence. What are the 3-5 things you believe in and are your core values? Have stories to demonstrate them and be ready to showcase them in an interview or presentation. When you lead with talking points, you create consistency in your messaging and you become a trusted resource.
- Stakeholder management – when starting a project, know who the stakeholders are and make sure you have a relationship with them. Consider meeting regularly and when you have your next initiative, float it to them for their input so when you position it, they’ve already bought into your idea.
- Build an external network that is intentional. I regret not having done this while working within a company. I had 800 LI connections when I started and now I have 7500 and growing. With more eyeballs on you and your experience, the greater that there will be pull vs. the constant push.
If you are aspiring to the C-Suite, and tired of the hustle, are you ready to change how you work and implement these tips?
If you are a business owner or C-Suite leader, are you ready to invest in your people and help them be successful? Their success is your success!
Now is the time for you to collect your thoughts and take action. I want you to succeed and this framework can enable you to do it yourself.
However, if you need more help, I’m here for you as the Drop In CEO, CEO whisperer or as a sounding board.
To hear more about my story about framework, please tune into my podcast that is releasing this Friday 6/16/23.
Maybe you simply need a support system to apply these new insights. I find leaders need a place to talk through the challenges and that’s why I created The Drop In CEO Collective, a forum for C-Suite leaders of today and tomorrow. To learn more about our next event you can visit our page and register.
Would you rather have a quick 1-2-1 to discuss your specific challenge? Could The Drop In CEO be your support system? Direct Message me on LI or contact me via my website and let’s have a conversation. Until then, I wish you much success.