The 123s & ABCs of Career Progression

One of the questions I am often asked, “How did you get to your role?”  A critical strategic perspective is understanding persistence over time, while incorporating valuable day to day habits, behaviors & priorities.

Advancing in one’s career comes down to these 3 Things and these ABCs:

1)     GET TO WORK!

A.     ACHIEVE – You MUST be successful in your current role to be considered for greater responsibilities! No one cares what you want until you consistently demonstrate what you can do…achieve & exceed your current goals and establish a track record of success quarter over quarter, year over year.

B.     BUILDER – Proactively create SUPPORTIVE RELATIONSHIPS on your current team by focusing on teamwork and the success of others. Aspire to have your manager say, “You are the best team player we have!”  Individual success is great, impacting the success of others is exponentially more valuable to an organization! Look for ways to make your boss look good. What are their goals/aspirations, help bring those to fruition.

C.     COMMITMENT – Be a 100% ENGAGED in what your team and the organization is doing.  Though not everyone can be a top performer, all of us can provide maximum effort!  Over time, your effort and attitude will be recognized & rewarded.

2)     GET CURIOUS!

A.     ASK – None of us are as smart as all of us!  The foundation of a GROWTH MINDSET is to be curious and ask questions.  Incorporate “learning” into your daily behaviors by reaching out to colleagues in other departments, read articles or listening to podcasts on topics related to your current role or one you aspire to.

B.     BOLSTER – to be extraordinary, you need to do EXTRA! Develop (and execute) a plan to broaden your current experiences and existing knowledge to differentiate yourself from the competition.

C.     CHALLENGE – consistently challenge yourself to THINK DIFFERENTLY and actively seek alternatives ways of doing things.  Innovating, however large or small, is essential to ensure your own (and the company’s) success in the future

3)     GET UNCOMFORTABLE!

A.     ADVENTURE – Look at work and our industry as something to EXPLORE and experience.  Seek to understand how the various parts of our business interact and how your current (and future) role support the greater aspiration of helping patients.

B.     BOLD – Purposefully GET OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE and take chances and calculated risks to learn & grow professionally. Cultivate existing skills and develop new ones to position you for opportunities aligned to your unique attributes, values & interests.

C.     COURAGE – Demonstrate BELIEF IN YOURSELF! Why should a manager or organization invest in you? Have the confidence in your abilities & conviction to be temporarily uncomfortable; move to that other city or state to take on a new role…the discomfort is you growing & evolving!

Additionally focus on the adages of “Treat others how you want to be treated” and “Seek first to understand”. The pace of change is accelerating and no one can predict the future with much certainty. However, there will always be opportunities for professionals who genuinely treat everyone with respect and demonstrate authentic curiosity.

A formula I am confident in endorsing:

Persistent effort + Respectful curiosity + Calculated risk = Career Growth & Success

Ultimately, it is up to you...begin implementing the ABCs and exploring your own learning & professional experience or stay “safely” where you are.  

Now, go forth and lead,

Joe Renda