We know that people in professions whether it’s accountancy, law, medicine or some other profession have the potential to have highly successful careers. While many go on to achieve the success that they desire, for others it is a continuous struggle.
Thinking back over my career in accountancy and consultancy before I set up my business there seemed to be a couple of important contributors that made the difference in big organisations.
So what’s DHL and playing the trumpet got to do with career success?
Let’s think about DHL. Their business is logistics and getting important documents or packages to people. Hugely simplified they have to deliver.
If we think about it in terms of the workplace opportunities are always going to be available to people who get a reputation for managing high volumes of work and still delivering a consistently high standard of work. People get a reputation for being a safe pair of hands and someone who will do what it takes to deliver.
If you are a leader or senior manager you are going to seek out the person who you know will get the job done and do it well.
Now what about playing the trumpet?
If you are good at what you do and deliver you probably just take it for granted. As a conscientious professional that’s just the way you are. The trouble is that while some will just quietly go along doing a great job, others will be openly talking about their achievements – some at every available opportunity.
What can happen is that people who are far less talented than you, who have achieved much less get identified for promotion, special project or secondment because they have blown their own trumpet a bit more than you.
Now I am not saying that this is fair and at the same time I have seen this happen many times. The one hit wonder seems to move forward at pace in their career while the person who just quietly gets on with things get’s left behind.
So if you want to get ahead in your career, get a reputation for being someone who delivers and be willing to speak openly about your achievements.
Duncan Brodie helps professionals achieve more career success. He invites you to sign up for his free audio masterclass.
Since 2006 I’ve worked with in excess of 8,000 accountants and professionals in workshops, seminars and one to one helping them land their next jobs and become better leaders, presenters and business partners. Before that I spent 25 years in accountancy climbing the career ladder from Payments Clerk to FD. I’m a CIMA Fellow, Certified Professional Coach and Team Coach Facilitator.