Careers are the ultimate long-term investment.
But you can waste years of your life in the wrong job, learning the wrong skills.
And when you’re not working towards upward mobility, you can get STUCK.
10 principles of career growth:
But you can waste years of your life in the wrong job, learning the wrong skills.
And when you’re not working towards upward mobility, you can get STUCK.
10 principles of career growth:
1. Form a tribe
Advancement at work comes from peer support that translates into leadership. Not from quietly executing behind a desk. Go out with your coworkers. Rally them, inspire them. Make sure they feel heard.
When you need it, you’ll have their support.
Advancement at work comes from peer support that translates into leadership. Not from quietly executing behind a desk. Go out with your coworkers. Rally them, inspire them. Make sure they feel heard.
When you need it, you’ll have their support.
2. Be “dumb”
No one knows as much as they think they do. Embracing “dumb” means having the humility to recognize your knowledge gaps and to follow through on educating yourself. To relentlessly seek information and improvement.
Don’t let pride get in the way of getting better.
No one knows as much as they think they do. Embracing “dumb” means having the humility to recognize your knowledge gaps and to follow through on educating yourself. To relentlessly seek information and improvement.
Don’t let pride get in the way of getting better.
3. Network, network, network
Connections made in year one will pay off ✨100x✨ by year ten. Align yourself with people that make you better, that can grow alongside you—and connect you to opportunities.
Befriend an all-star team that will one day wind up in the hall of fame.
Connections made in year one will pay off ✨100x✨ by year ten. Align yourself with people that make you better, that can grow alongside you—and connect you to opportunities.
Befriend an all-star team that will one day wind up in the hall of fame.
4. Gain credibility
If there is any one trait that will advance your career, it is credibility. You must be seen as knowledgable, trustworthy, and reliable. And not only with your ideas and the information you present—but in how you communicate it to others.
Inspire confidence.
If there is any one trait that will advance your career, it is credibility. You must be seen as knowledgable, trustworthy, and reliable. And not only with your ideas and the information you present—but in how you communicate it to others.
Inspire confidence.
5. It’s all in the delivery
There are times you’ll have to challenge others—but can you bring them into the process? There are times you have to own your failures—but can you demonstrate a commitment to growth?
Take your time when speaking, and prioritize listening.
There are times you’ll have to challenge others—but can you bring them into the process? There are times you have to own your failures—but can you demonstrate a commitment to growth?
Take your time when speaking, and prioritize listening.
6. Stress test the edges
Understand the rationale for why your business operates a certain way, but don’t be afraid to ask “what if” we took things one step further—or, what if we took things one step backwards.
Present ideas that represent both responsibility and growth.
Understand the rationale for why your business operates a certain way, but don’t be afraid to ask “what if” we took things one step further—or, what if we took things one step backwards.
Present ideas that represent both responsibility and growth.
7. Work outside your scope
Multitasking is rewarded in business—especially in startups. Proactively investigating outside opportunities and pesky problems can result in huge upside and cost savings. And you’ll learn a thing or two along the way.
Take the initiative, be a hero.
Multitasking is rewarded in business—especially in startups. Proactively investigating outside opportunities and pesky problems can result in huge upside and cost savings. And you’ll learn a thing or two along the way.
Take the initiative, be a hero.
8. Pursue mobility
It might be temping to aim for the highest salary possible, but which job offers you the greatest learning opportunity and potential career advancement? Prioritize long-term outcomes, and real mobility—not a short-term salary.
Future you will be glad you did.
It might be temping to aim for the highest salary possible, but which job offers you the greatest learning opportunity and potential career advancement? Prioritize long-term outcomes, and real mobility—not a short-term salary.
Future you will be glad you did.
9. Develop charisma
There are benefits to being kind and likable, period. It doesn’t mean flattering others or watering down your personality. It means taking a genuine interest and supporting them. Being approachable and present.
Smiles and small talk go a long way.
There are benefits to being kind and likable, period. It doesn’t mean flattering others or watering down your personality. It means taking a genuine interest and supporting them. Being approachable and present.
Smiles and small talk go a long way.
10. Celebrate your wins
When you pull off the impossible, don’t let it go unnoticed. Make sure other people know you put in the effort, but don’t forget to acknowledge theirs at the same time.
You don’t lose by celebrating others, you lose by hesitating to celebrate yourself.
When you pull off the impossible, don’t let it go unnoticed. Make sure other people know you put in the effort, but don’t forget to acknowledge theirs at the same time.
You don’t lose by celebrating others, you lose by hesitating to celebrate yourself.
That wraps it up! Do you have any tips for career growth? I’d love to hear them.
For more content on how to grow your career, startup, or community, follow me @chriscantino. 👋
For more content on how to grow your career, startup, or community, follow me @chriscantino. 👋
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
