If you are career minded and want to get on, there are 5 things to start doing now, don’t leave it too late to achieve the following:
1. Sales and Finance
Both skills can lead you to a CEO role. Rarely is the top role filled from other disciplines in a business. So nailing one or the other or both, is essential is you plan on getting to the top. Sales has had a bad wrap, but it is the best place to prove yourself by delivering outstanding results.
Action: Land a sales role or finance and get exposure to the other, by working with those teams, understand what they do and how you can learn from each other.
2. Public speaking
If you are not able to hold a room, then your career will come to a screeching holt. No matter how good you are, public speaking is key.
Action: Join Toastmasters and practice practice practice
3. Mentors
Find great mentors inside and outside the business. Ask your boss to help find the person in your organisation. Outside ask your family or friends. Once you have established contact, its your responsibility to schedule the catch ups ie once a month.
Always go prepared with questions for your mentor. This is a great opportunity to seek out advice on how to deal with situations, understand what they have done to get on in their career. Most important: Be vulnerable.
Ensure you thank and acknowledge feedback. Get comfortable as you cannot get to where you are going without feedback. It’s a lifetimes work.
4. Networking
Meeting new people, making new connections, helping them with their goals, is the only way to get on in life and business. It’s also gratifying helping others and they never forget your generosity. Use every opportunity to get out and network.
A great read, to help you learn and implement great connection with others is How to win friends and influencers people by Dale Carnegie
5. Develop an opinion on whats happening in the world
Not only develop an opinion, share and challenge others. This will build confidence. You dont have to agree with anyone, be seen as holding your own views. One of the criticisms of women by senior men, is that women don’t have an opinion on whats happening in the world.
Also look at your behaviour, ie giggly girls is not how you want to be remembered.
Good luck with your ambitions, ensure you get as much support as you can and remember to let others know your plans along the way otherwise they will fill the void with wild assumptions that I can guarantee are not going to help you. As my business coach says to me ” never die wondering” in other words ask the questions and speak up!
Angela Lovegrove 