Of Personal Interest: September 2021

Monday, September 27, 2021

Summary.

Being the boss is not for everyone. So, how do you grow in your career if you don’t want to become a manager?

First, you have to be realistic about your path moving forward. You probably won’t be promoted into high-power positions in the C-suite or as the head of a department. But, you probably will have the opportunity to grow as an individual contributor, develop expertise in your field, and become the best at what you do.
Next, define what success looks like for you. Career success can take on many different forms: having a good work-life balance, exercising your creativity, or making a lot of money — to name just a few.
After you’ve defined what makes you feel happy and successful as a sole contributor, look for opportunities where you can step into this kind of role. A good first step is developing a proposal that outlines the opportunity you would like to initiate and move ahead with over time. Then, present it to your manager.
Periodically, check-in with yourself. Each year, plan on taking an hour to think about your current role and where you see your career going. Your definition of success may change over time, and you can always switch directions and decide you want to take a different path.

Of Personal Interest