The Executive Ladder

Lateral Career Moves for the Ambitious?

Lateral - this is an ugly word for ambitious employees.  Before passing judgment, consider how it can benefit your career.

Many organizations are flattening their organizational structure, thereby eliminating the opportunity for frequent promotions.  Whether you have reached the top of a flat organization or need to acquire more experience, a lateral move can launch your career from a new platform.

The Indiana State Police is in the midst of a controversial recruiting campaign aimed at acquiring troopers from neighboring towns who are lacking opportunities for career advancement. 

What can an executive on the fast track learn from this?

There is more than one path to the top.  It isn't necessarily a straight line that will take you to your dream job.  Instead of placing so much emphasis on direction, focus on creating a well planned and executed strategy to achieve your career goals.

Sometimes you have to make a drastic move.  Whether it's a lateral move to another department or a lateral move to another city with more opportunities, it may just be the move you need to get your career on the right track. 

A change - any change - creates new possibilities.  You make new contacts, gain a fresh perspective, and learn new skills.  With few exceptions, a well-rounded executive is highly desired for leadership positions. 

Can your career benefit from making a lateral move?

Work/Life Balance Applies to Everyone

Is it possible to climb the corporate ladder and still take advantage of flexible work options? 

Yes, it is!  It used to be that employees on the fast track worked 80-hour weeks and had to forego a personal life.  Not anymore.  With the talent management crisis at hand, companies have realized that flexibility is a necessity in today’s world.    

Of course, some companies are better at finding ways to meet their employee’s needs than others.  Check out Fortune and Working Mother to see how your employer stacks up against the most admired companies. 

Most employers are concerned with work/life balance.  If yours isn’t, maybe it’s time to consider a change.

The War on Talent - Is It Good For Your Career?

We've all heard about the struggle to win the talent wars.  But have you considered how this war will affect your career?

Talent management is the greatest challenge in HR today.  Barbara Moses wrote an article for employers suggesting ways to attract and retain employees during this latest shortage of qualified workers.  Baby boomers are beginning to retire, creating leadership vacancies at unprecedented levels.  This is forcing employers to redirect their search to existing talent pools. 

For those of you eager to climb the corporate ladder, there is no time to shine like the present. 

Take advantage of this opportunity.  Express your career goals to management.  Inquire about participating in a succession planning or career development program.  Develop your leadership skills through training and coaching. 

How can you capitalize on this opportunity to boost your career?

Achieving Recognition

Are you getting noticed at work?  If so, is it the kind of recognition that will move you up or down the corporate ladder?

Corporate visibility is vital to a successful career.  Anyone on (or wishing to be on) the fast-track should incorporate it in their development plan.  Before tackling this goal, consider the image you want to project.  Do you want to be seen as creative?  Visionary?  Decisive?  A leader?  Once you have determined the image that will compliment your career goals, create an action plan that will help you achieve success and promotions.

What steps will you take to achieve recognition in your career? 

Focus on Strengths for a Successful Career

What are your natural strengths?  When deciding on your next move up the corporate ladder do you consider your strengths and interests or do you focus solely on money, power, and prestige?

In the article Build On Your Job Strengths, Henry Neils suggests that the leap from good to great lies in building your strengths instead of shoring up your weaknesses.  Makes sense, doesn’t it?  Pursuing the things that come naturally to us will bring us less frustration and more enjoyment and success. 

I wouldn’t suggest dismissing your weaknesses completely, though.  Every job will have some aspect that you would rather do without – just make sure it’s not overwhelming.  Focus on bringing excitement, passion, and natural ability to your career and then you will find true success.  Remember the phrase "Do what you love and the money will follow"?

What is standing in your way of greatness?  Are you following the wrong career path?  Are you trying to fit a square peg into a round hole? 

Take a moment to list your strengths.  How many of those are you utilizing in your current position?  What steps will you take to build your career around your strengths in the future?