what's the best thing you did for your career?

[user463876887]

for instance,

• learn a new skill
• get better at marketing yourself (professional linkedin profile)
• be a better networker

.. .. etc.

For me, I'm going to focus on the latter two for 2022.

@user463876887 I can recommend many of the Center of Creative Leadership resources. They have a booklet called “Leadership Networking: Connect, Collaborate, Create” that’s worth a look.

Kept moving anywhere and everywhere for the next best opportunity.

Took a chance on a job that was out of my comfort zone.

@PegasusReturns great, thanks! will take a look at this.

Built a decent career pre-DC and went back FT at 1 year meaning by the time there were toddlers I got promoted to Exec level at a young(ish) age myself. Lots of benefits to that - mainly flexibility on hours so never missed stuff at school.

I alternate between imposter syndrome and a “F it these guys don’t know more than me” mentally so always went for the big promotions.

Was lucky to have advocates, both male and female.

Never set out to be alpha female. Am known for being very approachable (get downloaded on a lot as seen as discrete) but people know I’m no pushover. Like to have a laugh at work, don’t take myself too seriously and would always go to a social event for the first part but am equally deadly serious about getting the job done.

Biggest one - treat EVERYONE with respect. Your team make you look good and so does the receptionist. Even the annoying AF CEO will be a reference for your next role. Give them credit where it’s due. Always allowed flexibility to my team by monitoring outcomes not hours in/out. I got 10x more back in return for being flexible with people, we all have lives.

Invested in additional qualifications in my own time (which I didn’t have a lot of). Was passionate and loyal to the companies I’ve worked for, until they weren’t to me and then it was goodbye time. Not personal - move on and up.

Get coached.

@user463876887 I’d also recommend Harvard Business Review

Left the public sector.
Stopped being a manager.

Say want you want, out loud. If you see yourself in a more senior role, let people know! It can feel weird and uncomfortable and presumptuous, but otherwise people will second guess on your behalf.

Understand your company, beyond your role and team. Get to know the strategy, and how you contribute to taking the business where it needs to go.

Recognise and embrace stretch assignments- the things where you get a chance to shine and show people what you can really do, the further outside your core role the better.

Get as much coaching and mentoring as you can.

Understand what you are brilliant at, and look to do more of that, as often as possible- this usually feels more authentic than trying to "fix" yourself to fit in with others.

Chose my own mentor who knew the business inside out
Was honest with my manager about my ambitions
Made myself approachable to everyone and networked
Gained extra qualifications that were on offer
Didn’t have kids

Moved abroad. I could never have got the same journalistic experience in London. I basically walked into a job as sub-editor of an English-language magazine, which set me up for life, basically - career-wise.

Getting a professional qualification 4 years ago.

Taking a decent chunk of mat leave but then going back 4 days (basically full time but with a 20% pay cut 🙄) which kept me in line for progression which I achieved 🙌

Understanding what sort of leader I was
Early on in my career I did not understand the difference between a manager and a leader. Figured that out. Then someone said you need to figure out what sort of leader you are. Best advice ever.
Too many people just think in terms of wanting to be a manager or leader…but not really thinking of what type of leader they are best suited to.

Applied for, and got, a trainee role in a completely different area (I was an engineer and applied for a trainee IT job) in the same company at 28. My career took a completely different path and one I'm eternally thankful for.

Continued working when DC were small rather than SAH

Absolutely, this too

Oh, and always look for opportunities!
People I mentored were sometimes saying they felt they missed out on doing stuff…part of my mentoring was to get them to see opportunities others hadn’t and act , not wait to be asked or “given” opportunities…find your own

Move jobs. Ask for more money when negotiating salary. Apply for jobs you are not necessarily experienced enough for.

Also, a strong LinkedIn profile helps.

Biggest one - treat EVERYONE with respect^

This. People talk, they really do. It's all political.

Never saying no to anything just because I was scared or doubted myself - I've always forced myself to step up to the plate and go outside my comfort zone.

Going back full time after mat leave. It was really hard on me and probably not the best thing holistically, but definitely the best thing for my career.

Stopped working in the education sector.
Haven't had and won't have any kids, so no gaps
Ergo, flexibility with hours and travel

Said yes to every opportunity, was curious, leant in on things that weren’t strictly mine learning loads and expanding my network and earning some favours along the way.

Always asked for more responsibility, always asked where I could help if low workload, and took on brand new areas. Has paid dividends in the long term.

Moved to London.