Please come in. Grab a chair.
Now let's talk about ways you can show your supervisor, manager or boss you are ready for the next step in your career.
To achieve growth, one must do things differently.
No, don't close the door. Others might want to come in.
Welcome, welcome, come on in.
You can also grab a chair over there.
One secret, if no one has told you yet, is that leaders & managers love problem solvers.
Rather than waiting for a solution, go & show your ‘oga’ how you fixed a problem or intend to.
Why are you hiding your critical thinking skill?
If anything, I do not like wasting time on tasks. Especially if there is a quicker way to go about it.
As an intern, task was passed to me. Thank God for knowledge of V-Look Up & Data Analysis. Without exaggeration, task that normally took whole day manually took me about 2 hrs.
What problem? I automated a manual task & cut down redundant time. (Another day for other examples.)
During my final feedback, the Director mentioned the problem solved & guess what? I was retained after my internship in same org.
Let your critical thinking skills come into play.
Be a problem solver and not a solution waiter.
By the way, if the room is too cold, I can reduce the AC. Just let me know.
I am not sure there is an organization that doesn’t value employees who deliver on set projects from end-to-end.
Here, you need to exceed all expectations if there are specific targets.
One project was to handle end-to-end talent acquisition for our Canada, India & US tech locations. Although of one the most tedious task that year.
Always ask yourself when working on projects, ‘How do I show that I can deliver end-to-end'.
Always remember 'end-to-end'.
Delegating is important.
But you know what is also important?
Asking to take some aspect of your manager's task that can be passed to you
Truth is, even if not passed to you, you have subconsciously communicated your intention for growth.
You know what it did? Made my boss’s life easy & also showed I was ready for increased responsibilities while maintaining a relationship with leaders in key roles.
By the way, I have a dispenser in the other office if you want to quickly grab a drink. I can wait.
If you want to get promoted, you need to:
-Establish a strong work ethic
-Develop a trustworthy reputation
-Be reliable to the core
-Ensure Senior management can rely on you.
You know who recommended me? A director from an entirely different team.
Everywhere I worked in Nigeria & here in Canada, I have always showed the right image & I am not talking about just dressing clean to work.
You need to show the right image of adding value and demonstrating a strong work ethic.
Yes. You at the back, I see you raised your hand. You have a question? Please go ahead.
Having knowledge of only your role is like placing yourself in a silo.
This is the trick, the more you understand the business, the easier it is for you to work & make better decisions and place yourself for better opportunities.
-Start from the mission & goals.
-Research competitors.
-Talk to your manager on areas you don’t know so much about.
-Understand how other departments work together.
-Understand how your role is significant to the org as a whole.
Trick with mentorship is that an experienced mentor will help identify roadblocks on your way.
Like I will always say, whatever senior role or promotion you are looking for, someone has done it before.
A mentors can be at your
- place of work (in or outside your dpt),
- local professional association.
- ex senior colleague from school
Try it. Have one today.
One important thing is you need to be open about your growth intentions.
Have an open & honest conversation with your manager, supervisor or boss about your performance, path, strengths and aspirations in the org.
Before my final point, I advise you check this thread if you have questions on the trajectory of your career:
Any question so far?
On Twitter, it is called receipts.
Have receipts for:
- Things you work on.
- Things you achieved.
- How you solved a critical project issue for another team member in another department.
Document it all b'cos on judgement day you'll show it.
Also, remember always, great things take time so does being a great leader.
Do have a great day and I wish you the best.
Please do not close the door. It's an open door policy here. 😃