CEOs and other top execs share tips for getting where you want to be
Beth Braccio Hering, Special to CareerBuilder
Sometimes getting from where you are to where you'd like
to be career-wise can seem like a daunting task. While time and
experience certainly help, there are other actions that can speed the
process along.
Here, executives in a variety of fields share their tips
on how to move up the ladder a bit faster.
Accumulate knowledge
"Knowledge
is power," states Linda Matzigkeit, senior vice president of strategic
planning and human resources for Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. "You
need to read about your industry, know what people are doing and keep
your edge on innovation."Anthony Leone, founder of Energy Kitchen, a
restaurant franchise based in New York City, agrees. "Learn as much as
you possibly can in your chosen field. Become such an asset to your
company that the owners tell themselves, 'We cannot live without this
person.'" He further suggests asking your boss what skills would most
benefit the company, then going out and learning them "to the point that
they just roll off your tongue, like your phone number."
Know how to ask questions
Armed with a solid understanding of their field, workers who gain attention are ones who know how to ask appropriate questions.
"Asking
good questions is an art," states Elizabeth Sobol, managing director of
IMG Artists, North America. "I will be much more impressed if you ask
me good ones than if you talk over me, trying to show me how much you
know."
Similarly, employees should not worry that asking questions
is a sign of ineptitude. "Do not be afraid to admit that you do not
understand something," says Robert Stack, president and CEO of Community
Options Inc., a national nonprofit organization that develops homes and
employment for people with disabilities. "There is nothing wrong with
not knowing; it is not asking or pretending to understand that always
seems to have negative ramifications."
Think outside yourself
People
who move up quickly are often ones who are good at examining the needs
and goals of the company as a whole, not just in their own particular
niche. Matzigkeit says that because her field (health care) is very
specialized, it is easy to get deep in your own area. "In order to
advance and truly identify ways you can have continued impact in an
organization, you need to get connected to the big picture. Only then
can you develop your skills, broaden your exposure and find ways to
apply your transferable skills."
For managers looking to advance,
Randy Murphy -- president and CEO of the restaurant franchise Mama Fu's
Asian House -- suggests wandering around. "Have a presence in your
store, and always know what is going on with your guests, employees and
overall operations." He also notes that ambitious employees should
always be looking for their own replacement. "Develop and train those
under you so the team overall does better and so that you have a quality
replacement to free you up for promotion to the next level."
Give it your all
Of
course one of the best ways to gain notice is to be a solid performer.
"If you execute flawlessly, you will have a solid reputation, which will
allow you to network into the right circles," states Brian Curin,
president of the footwear chain Flip Flop Shops.
"Go beyond the
job description," Stack adds. "If you are a person who is supposed to
help persons with disparities find jobs, then work extra hours and get
creative. If you are supposed to help with fundraising, go out of your
way to ask someone you do not know for support. Always be a little
early, and always ask you manager what you can do that means a little
extra."
Let your passion shine through
Doing
all of these things, from learning as much as possible about a field to
regularly giving 100 percent, can involve a great deal of time and
effort. Some employees will look at these challenges as obstacles to
overcome in order to get ahead. Others will view them with enthusiasm
because they truly have a passion for their field. Guess who usually
moves up faster?
Sobol says that she is impressed by people "who
are fascinated by our business and are clearly always trying to learn
and understand more about it," adding that "it is not hard to glean who
is doing it out of genuine interest and who is not, so don't try to fake
it!"
For those who lack that passion, maybe it's time to consider
looking for a new ladder to climb. The rungs might not seem so hard to
navigate when the journey upward is already enjoyable.