Who’s On Your Career Success Support Team?
You are bright. You are good at your job. You have invested the time in getting the necessary professional qualifications.
So you are all set for a successful career, right?
You might respond with a resounding yes.
But let’s step back and think about it.
Without doubt you have strong foundations to build on.
On the other hand what I’ve noticed over the years being bright, being good at your job and having the qualifications is never enough.
If you are going to be successful in your career you need a strong support team.
Your support team includes:
Your family
If you want to move up the career ladder there are going to be sacrifices that need to be made. Ideally you would prefer this not to be the case.
Equally progression usually equates to longer working hours. While you can mitigate this to some extent, at the end of the day there is a limit on the number of hours available to you.
Your boss
If you are seeking a promotion in your current organisation, your boss needs to be one of your major supporters.
They know you better than most. They may even have hired you. So the relationship you have with your boss is vitally important.
Your peers
There are going to be others at your level who are seeking to moving on and up in their careers.
It’s easy to think that you need to be fiercely competitive.
On the other hand you all have different skills, experience and qualities.
Taking the next step in your career at any level is about best matching your skills, experience and qualities to what the employer wants and needs.
Your mentors or coaches
You might never have thought about having a mentor or a coach and as a result be missing out.
Those who you work with as a mentor or coach might well have achieved what you are looking to achieve.
They probably made some mistakes along the way. You can benefit from their learning and experiences.
Equally you have someone who will get you to stop, think, reflect and help you navigate through the challenges you will face.
So ask yourself:
- Who is currently on my support team?
- What’s missing in terms of my support team?
- What action could I take to bridge the gap?
About the Author Duncan Brodie
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.