A higher salary, a larger office, a new title, authority, prestige…all these things and more can come with a management position. However, it is precisely the “more” that most individuals fail to take into account when pursuing advancement in their careers.
Quite simply, many individuals want the prestige of being in a management role, yet they lack the realization that extra work and higher levels of responsibility are part of the package. The honest truth is that leaders frequently are required to take on more work than others, and often must be prepared to sacrifice additional amounts of their time well beyond the norm in order to maintain the workflow of their organizations.
However, many people pursuing higher-level positions only fall in love with the illusion of power, control, and higher pay that they believe being in management will give to them. But this line of thinking is in serious need of a reality check as running a department or company takes far more energy and discipline than just working a job within one, and many professionals are unprepared for the task.
However, there is hope. Through proper planning, training, and effective research, successful and enjoyable advancement can be achieved. Here are just a few points of insight to remember that are necessary to gain the proper perspective:
1. The Reality of the Daily Grind. In addition to meeting the goals of the department/organization, a business leader also must face the possibility of having to deal with some (or even all) of the following issues every day:
- Unpredictable emotional problems that their employees bring with them to the office that affect focus—such as family issues, external stresses, etc.
- Lack of motivation or a sense of apathy among their employees.
- Personal vendettas and dramas between individuals both within and outside the team or department.
- Minimal to zero support or understanding from upper-level leadership or executives.
These points are components of another, larger aspect of management that many additionally fail to consider—that is, the fact that an effective business leader also must understand the psychology of the people within their environments. Without this understanding, it can become virtually impossible to accomplish goals, or even day-to-day functions in some cases.
So it is always prudent to remember that knowledge is one of the greatest tools leaders have at their disposal. Take the time to know what makes the people around the workplace tick, and also remember that whatever those things are can change as the environment is constantly evolving. So you also must bear in mind that the quest for knowledge will be a non-stop endeavor.
2. The Pursuit of Happiness. One of the most important aspects of obtaining advancement is knowing what the professional requirements are for the job, and realizing that this also goes beyond what is listed in print in the position’s requirements. There are always “unwritten” details and/or rules that are not listed, and these can be critical to success in many cases.
So when you decide that the time has come to move into a higher-level position, it is of the utmost importance that you carefully review all the responsibilities and requirements involved to ensure that you are up to the tasks, and not setting yourself up for failure.
This kind of in-depth review also will help you to determine which areas or skills you may need to learn or improve in order to achieve your goals. Knowing your own strengths and weaknesses is critical to your growth, and without facing this aspect of yourself honestly (key word), you simply cannot hope to advance your career effectively.
Through the course of the review and investigation, do not be afraid to reach out and talk to others who have reached the level in question. Seeking the counsel and mentoring of successful individuals is one of the best things professionals can do in their pursuit of career advancement. Remember to ask about both the good things and the challenges that were encountered. Then, more importantly, ask how they overcame those challenges. Their input about what actually happens in the course of their day will be beneficial and paint the real picture of what can be expected.
Additionally, understanding the journeys of those who came before can help you to avoid surprises and misconceptions. After all, the last thing you need is to be in a new job or position that turns out to be something you ultimately don’t want, or isn’t at all what you expected.
3. Don’t Create Barriers. Don’t worry if you don’t possess every single qualification listed for a given promotion as in many cases this is just the company trying to find “perfection,” which, of course, doesn’t exist.
So even if you don’t have exactly all of the qualifications listed, don’t be afraid to go for it. As long as you hold the majority of those listed requirements, you still stand a good chance of being considered, and in many cases, you will have the opportunity to learn those missing skills on the actual job anyway.
4. Moving on Up. After considering all the angles, and reviewing all the necessary details, if you sincerely conclude that you are ready to move into an available leadership position, then you should not let anything stand in your way toward the achievement of that goal, as fortune does not favor the timid.
Of course, once that new level of your career is achieved, savor the victory as it is a very rewarding experience that will boost your confidence and self-esteem. Subsequently, it also can open the door to many other new and exciting opportunities later on. Just be certain to be grateful for all the people who assisted you in the achievement of that goal, and make it a point to help others where possible when they seek to better themselves.
Brian Ray is a business and management consultant with more than 20 years of experience. He has worked with several of the largest companies in the world—including General Motors, Hewlett-Packard (HP), and Delphi—on multiple projects and assignments. He possesses a Business degree with a major in Technology Management, is the proprietor of his own consulting company, and is a speaker/corporate trainer specializing in promoting positive changes in business and people. Ray is the author of “Revelations Incorporated: The Disturbing Truth of the Business World and Workplace Culture,” which is available at Amazon and Kindle. For more information, visit www.thecalloftruth.wordpress.com and connect with Ray on Twitter.
