Whether you want to move up the corporate ladder to management or be chosen to lead new initiatives, demonstrating your potential to your boss is critical. Naturally, excelling at your present work is a good place to start, but advancement requires more. In fact, your supervisor is most likely analyzing you right now. According to a Harvard poll, 98 percent of organizations have some type of mechanism in place to identify top achievers, who make up around 3 to 5% of the workforce. Meanwhile, staying in those upper echelons is nearly as difficult as getting there. According to the same poll, up to 20% of these emerging stars disappear off the list each year. Start immediately to realize your ambitions. Check out these pointers to help you remain on track at every level of your career.
Displaying Your Potential Early in Your Career
Focus on fitting in and building connections while you’re new to the workplace. That preparation will lay a solid foundation for you over time.
1. Produce results. Keep track of your achievements and keep a record of them. Develop a reputation for going above and beyond and finishing tasks on schedule. Proactively I dentify problems for which you may have a solution. Naturally it would be great if your solutions were adopted, but that’s not always the goal. Sharing your voice and taking part in the solution is just as important in providing one.
2. Back up your manager. Make an effort to make your manager look good. What goes around, comes around. You’ll have your moment to bask in the feeling of making an impact, in the meantime focus the attention upward. Check your managers priorities to determine where you can focus your efforts.
3. Focus on learning. Keep the big picture in mind as you find out all you can about your company and your industry. Ask lots of questions, be observant, and read the latest news.
4. Request feedback. You should also learn about yourself, or at leas how you’re being perceived. Invite people to express their opinions on your work. Accept constructive criticism and acknowledge your coworkers for their input.
5. Take action! You must put your learning into practice in order for them to make a difference. Analyze information to see how it may be used in real life. When you pick a coworker’s brain or attend a conference, make a list of takeaways, and then choose one that you can take immediate action on.
6. As Kendrick Lamar would put it; Be Humble! Allow your actions to do the talking. Contribute to the team and be willing to share credit.
Displaying Your Potential Later in Your Career
Your skill as a seasoned professional is often taken for granted. Intangibles such as leadership and vision are now more likely to be valued.
1. Create a niche for yourself. Prepare to relinquish certain obligations in order to focus on your talents. Find out what you’re excellent at and what you enjoy doing. Later in your career is a great time to leverage your strengths that may not have been quite as developed earlier.
2. Act as a role model for others. Now is the time to return the favor. Consider the attributes you appreciate in your role models and tailor them to your own personal style. Make an effort to reach out to new recruits and provide supportive comments to your coworkers.
3. Inspire others. Encourage people to achieve their goals. Allow your colleagues to learn and improve by providing them the opportunity model you.
4. Take on the role of an mentor. When working with customers or other members of the team, your behavior reflects on your company. Make sure you understand the mission statement so you can apply the values that perpetuate the teams success.
5. Take risks. You can act like an entrepreneur even if someone else owns the company. Take sensible risks that will allow you to stretch your skills and enhance your company’s position. Start off small and learn from experience so you can fine tune your judgement over time.
Demonstrating your potential to your manager will help in your advancement and recognition. Early in your career, increasing your effectiveness is a great way to set yourself up for success. You may rely on your business acumen and strong ties to help you succeed as a leader later on.
Catalyst Consulting 