Moving into leadership can be challenging, especially when you are just starting out within your industry or in a new position at your current workplace. I have put together three ways you can step into leadership without feeling overwhelmed, frustrated and lost on what your next move should be.
Here’s what you need to do so you can get to that NEXT LEVEL within your career:
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Write stuff down! A huge oversight when building your career is neglecting to write down all the awesome things you have done or are actively doing in your current position. Your boss will not remember all the great things you’ve done and you shouldn’t expect them too either. It is not their job to help you build your career. They have enough on their plate other than tracking your progress. Do yourself a favor and start writing down the projects you’ve led, the money you’ve made the company or how many accounts you’ve landed. The point is, you have to be able to clearly articulate your value if you expect to be recognized as a leader and someone of value within the organization. If you don’t, you’re just doing your job like everyone else and there is no reason to identify you as someone set apart from the norm.
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Behave as a Leader. If you want people to recognize you as a leader, it is important that your behavior displays leadership characteristics. People need to know they can come to you with problems and you can help them to solve those problems. They need to know you will take the time to understand their issue and help them come to a resolution. If no one sees you as a problem solver, they cannot associate you with being valuable to others. Leaders step up to challenges, they are resourceful and they are reliable. You must develop these qualities if you want to be recognized as a leader.
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Build Solid Relationships. Take time to build relationships with managers and leaders/influencers within your organization. Find out what they like, what their problems are and how you can be of value to them. Don’t just come to them with your hand out expecting them to do you a favor. Ask what you can do for them and discover issues they are facing within their work environment. This is not only helpful in terms of adding value to them, it is also beneficial to you because it will help you to understand what you may have to face once you are in the same position they are in. Find out what type of coffee they like, what they do during lunch time and what their interests are outside of work. Find a common ground and build on it. It is your responsibility to create a relationship with your manager, not the other way around. Take initiative to get to know those who are in positions you desire to be in.