Have you ever felt like you’ve contributed to your company over the years but you are not getting the recognition you deserve? It is inevitable that you may start to feel slightly dejected and unmotivated to do any work. This is also when you may start to consider a change in environment, such as a new employer.

What you need may not be a job change, but an opportunity for upward mobility in your career development. This new opportunity could help refresh the work motivation and drive that you used to have.

learn new management skills

When thinking about climbing up the career ladder, have you ever taken some time to evaluate your professional credentials?

Mid-career professionals need to consider if the skills they have accumulated over the years are still relevant in their careers in today’s context. Therefore, before you start having any conversations about a job promotion, it is important for you to understand your existing capabilities and identify any areas for improvement. This can help you set more realistic and achievable career goals for yourself.

Employers are also keen to know you on a personal level, such as your motivations and drive, to understand if you are mentally ready to move on to the next level. It will be critical for you to start demonstrating these leadership qualities in your day-to-day, such as being collaborative, agile and having a high performance mindset.

how do you become a thought leader?

In this dynamic world where change is a constant, adaptability is considered an essential skill. People who are adaptable are considered to be inquisitive, innovative and resourceful. As you progress in your career, you will be tasked with communicating with people from various departments and companies, including top executives. You will need to understand the technical jargon from different fields to translate them to simpler terms in order to aid the senior management in making decisions at the board level. The more adaptable you are, the more options you will have in the working world.

Companies want thought leaders whose viewpoints are perceived to be influential in their field of expertise. You will need to position yourself as a credible individual who is always consistent in the things being said and done to develop a trustworthy presence. It is important to challenge the current school of thought, but the essential prerequisite to becoming a thought leader is to come across as authentic. The key to authenticity is to stay true to yourself and express truthful opinions in open conversations with your workmates about topics that can be difficult to approach.

3 steps to increase your chances of getting a promotion

1. take a self-assessment

After working for so many years, it is about time you evaluate your strengths and weaknesses to help redefine and refine your career goals and career path. In this ever-changing world that we live in, it is important to stay up-to-date with technological advancements and educate yourselves on the essential skills that will truly make you an irreplaceable asset to the company.

2. be social and learn to network

Go out and interact with different people and create meaningful connections. Establishing relationships with people will help you gain new perspectives or even learn of potential career progression opportunities. For all you know, the person whom you have connected with at the social event could be your new colleague or boss.

3. seek for guidance and inspiration

Do not be afraid to ask for help or get a different viewpoint. Talk to people whom you aspire to be. They do not have to be from any particular industry and the beauty of it is that you can learn from the experience of others to broaden your own knowledge of different fields. You can also work on your colleagues’ feedback on how they feel about working with you to improve your collaborative and people management skills.

Planning is absolutely vital in career progression. It is time for you to take concrete actions to achieve your goals. The chance to move up the ranks is yours to take - but set a timeline for your career development plan and hold yourself accountable to it. When you think you are ready for the next step, ask for your promotion so that your boss knows of your desire for career advancement. Most importantly, being sincere and trustworthy in your daily work interactions will help build a memorable and positive image of yourself.

As the famed author, John C. Maxwell once said “You will never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in your daily routine”.

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