No one has exactly the same career objective nor the same skill sets. So how do you accelerate your career? You’ll need to understand the major steps, design a personalized road map, and then apply an implementation strategy. Of course, the variables are extensive.
So, what’s the perfect model? Your model is to be the right person, with the right skills, in the right situation, at the right time. It’s like the story of an upper class family that is shipwrecked on a remote island along with their butler. It’s the butler who helps the family survive until they’re saved. He’s the right person, with the right skills, in the right situation, at the right time. Of course, when the family goes back to their home, the butler becomes the servant again. Different situations and environments determine different needs.
What are the steps to accelerate your career? Take these generalized steps, design and apply them to you, then develop an action strategy.
GOALS – I like the quote, “If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there!” You wouldn’t have much confidence in a leader who doesn’t know where they’re going. What are your goals in 5 years? What do you have to do to prepare yourself to reach those goals? What skills do you need but don’t have yet? Who can help you get to your goals?
SPECIAL SKILLS – You not only need required skills, but you also need special skills: Those are the skills that few others have. They set you apart from all others and are in demand within the organization. Special skills can be had with higher-level degrees, or learning from a master performer. Whatever those special skills are, you need them to set you apart from the crowd.
MENTORING – Individuals who have a mentor to show them the way have a tremendous advantage over those who don’t. Mentors will help pull you up the career ladder. Just as important is for you to be a mentor to those below you. They will help push you up the career ladder. This pull-push process of mentoring is critical to advance your career more quickly.
INFLUENCE – You need to be both a good leader and a good follower. Each is important. How do you shift from follower to leader? Get visibility, then credibility, and finally you get influence. If you don’t have the trust of the people around you, none of the other factors of leadership will work. It’s impossible to influence people who don’t trust you.
DETERMINATION – If you don’t want it bad enough, it’s not going to happen. Call it willpower, resolve, drive, perseverance, or grit. If you don’t have determination you’ll always come in second, or worse.
Those who know what they want build successful careers. They also have a plan to get there, with the willpower to make it happen. You can make it happen by following these 5 steps.
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