How did you get to director /c-suite?

mamabeeboo · 2024-04-09T18:36:20+00:00

Either you or someone you know - how did it happen? How did you get there? If you were headhunted - how? Did you have to move different companies to climb the ladder? I'm in middle management, no direct reports and I see people progress to these high roles but never get any straight answers as to how it happens, some just say "networking" others say they worked their way up but how does this happen - especially since some jobs aren't even advertised online. I'm also asking because I see an increasing number of young people in very senior roles. Late 20s, early 30s in director roles - how?!? Surely you need to have a certain number of years experience?

Othermentions · 21/02/2025 14:11

Probably attending work conferences that your manager wants you to attend would be a good start Op 😁

FusionChefGeoff · 21/02/2025 14:14

I'm afraid I have to agree with PP! This is EXACTLY the sort of event that someone with C suite ambition would be champing at the bit to attend.

To lie and not travel to a work meeting? http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am iibeingunreasonable/5279378-to-lie-and-not-travel-to-a-work-meeting

flipent · 21/02/2025 14:15

This has to be a troll post?

Othermentions · 21/02/2025 14:19

flipent · 21/02/2025 14:15

This has to be a troll post?

Read in conjunction with the thread the Op started today!

LittleRedRidingHoody · 21/02/2025 14:31

I was on your other thread OP.

I actually don't think it's a troll thread/posts. It reads as someone who's given up on progression which is a bit sad.

If it helps, it IS networking. I'm now at senior director level (and do actually have a C title but I'm not inner circle) in late 20s. I realised early on networking is not only important but needs to be learnt so watched a million Ted talks/read articles/books and then practised and went to as many networking events as I could and kept pushing myself (I'm an introvert)

I was 'poached' for my current role from a friend of someone I'd networked with. The company wasn't looking for someone with 15+ years experience (I had 8 - but very varied) but for someone bold/out there, who could get stuff done and learn 'the vision' and could lead without getting bogged down in details/the day-to-day as the company was scaling.

Company hopping helps if done strategically too, and obviously being able to get stuff done. I'd say that a big thing companies look for though is not people who can just do a tick list really well, but are able to look at the list and identify which parts are irrelevant, which parts can be delegated and which parts need more in depth attention. Leadership is also all about relationships, so if you're not proving you can build them via networking, no one is going to think of you as someone who can potentially build a team.

Original poster

mamabeeboo · 21/02/2025 17:09

LittleRedRidingHoody · 21/02/2025 14:31

I was on your other thread OP.

I actually don't think it's a troll thread/posts. It reads as someone who's given up on progression which is a bit sad.

If it helps, it IS networking. I'm now at senior director level (and do actually have a C title but I'm not inner circle) in late 20s. I realised early on networking is not only important but needs to be learnt so watched a million Ted talks/read articles/books and then practised and went to as many networking events as I could and kept pushing myself (I'm an introvert)

I was 'poached' for my current role from a friend of someone I'd networked with. The company wasn't looking for someone with 15+ years experience (I had 8 - but very varied) but for someone bold/out there, who could get stuff done and learn 'the vision' and could lead without getting bogged down in details/the day-to-day as the company was scaling.

Company hopping helps if done strategically too, and obviously being able to get stuff done. I'd say that a big thing companies look for though is not people who can just do a tick list really well, but are able to look at the list and identify which parts are irrelevant, which parts can be delegated and which parts need more in depth attention. Leadership is also all about relationships, so if you're not proving you can build them via networking, no one is going to think of you as someone who can potentially build a team.

You are right. There is an element of given up but also, I've also wised up to the corporate world much more.
After seeing directors emailing on Sundays, spending weeks on end travelling and having meetings where you can see them openly distracted. I figured it's not for me.

Now I have a level of resentment to have to work for a good life. I've accepted it, and leaving work isn't an option if I want to enjoy the lifestyle I have.

OP posts:

user148984678942 · 23/02/2025 16:28

LittleRedRidingHoody · 21/02/2025 14:31

I was on your other thread OP.

I actually don't think it's a troll thread/posts. It reads as someone who's given up on progression which is a bit sad.

If it helps, it IS networking. I'm now at senior director level (and do actually have a C title but I'm not inner circle) in late 20s. I realised early on networking is not only important but needs to be learnt so watched a million Ted talks/read articles/books and then practised and went to as many networking events as I could and kept pushing myself (I'm an introvert)

I was 'poached' for my current role from a friend of someone I'd networked with. The company wasn't looking for someone with 15+ years experience (I had 8 - but very varied) but for someone bold/out there, who could get stuff done and learn 'the vision' and could lead without getting bogged down in details/the day-to-day as the company was scaling.

Company hopping helps if done strategically too, and obviously being able to get stuff done. I'd say that a big thing companies look for though is not people who can just do a tick list really well, but are able to look at the list and identify which parts are irrelevant, which parts can be delegated and which parts need more in depth attention. Leadership is also all about relationships, so if you're not proving you can build them via networking, no one is going to think of you as someone who can potentially build a team.

I don't mean to hijack this thread but would you be able to share the articles, Ted talks etc you mentioned? I am also an introvert, much older and whole my life I have been told about importance of networking but struggle to grasp the concept or how to actually do it. Over the last 20yrs I worked only for three companies, so I my network is very limited and based on your post I assume this is not exactly what I should be doing if I want to be successful.