5 steps I've used to consistently create new opportunities and how I used it to get to the C-Suite.

Have you ever wondered what it takes to become a VP or even all the way to the C-Suite?

Do you look at other people and think - I don't have all those things, that set of experiences? 

Have you been passed over for promotion, or worse, outright told you won't be promoted because <insert X ridiculous excuse>?

Are you ready to just get back in your hole and go back to 100% coding (or whatever your thing is - coding was my thing), despite that itch inside you that you just KNOW there is a better way?

Sadly, there are many naysayers, negative influencers and people who will hold you back in your career. You will be told over and over again that you just need to do this ONE THING to get ahead, then you'll get this opportunity.

It might be a qualification.

It might be building a new product.

It might be getting experience of running a certain budget or team size.

It might be developing your executive presence, gravitas and presence.

... I could go on (and on and on...)

And then you work your socks off, get that ONE THING, and suddenly two things happen:

(1) Someone else, less qualified and less experienced than you were BEFORE you got that new thing you were told you have to get, gets the role you were after. And, 

(2) You're told there is yet another thing you are supposed to be doing/getting/experiencing.

Once this has happened twice, three times, or if you are super determined, many more times, you may be ready to give up. 

These people giving you advice and instruction may be approaching it with the best of intentions. They might not. But whatever is going on, you are being held back.

So I want to share with you the 5 key steps I took on my career to break out of this loop.

1. I applied for things I had no hope of ever getting, and turned up with an attitude of 'I have something that if you listen, this will change things for the better - that's why I'm here'.

When you do this, you experience something truly extraordinary. Yes, there are nerves. But it is much easier to channel this to excitement and passion than when we are going for something we really really want and know we should be getting. When we do this we learn something about ourselves that we need to bring to every conversation. We show those people what we will bring to the table, despite their laundry list of requirements. 

2. I never take no for an answer.

I seek advice all the time. I listen. I absorb. But I don't let it dictate my direction. Everything I've ever done I have had multiple people tell me that it isn't possible, or that I can't/shouldn't do it. Most of the time these are from people who genuinely want to help me and have the best of intentions. Sometimes, they don't have great intentions. And all too often it is hard to tell who is who. But then I realised that what someone's intentions are don't really matter. 

?? What matters is what I do with that information. 

Remember that you are the only person who knows everything you know, has your unique set of experiences. You are the only one who knows what is possible for you right now and in the future. You get to build your future. Yes, you can make it easier by following standard paths, but the reality is 'standard' doesn't really exist. So never take no for an answer. Decide what you want and go for it.

3. I remind myself daily that there are no bad consequences.

When you lean into not taking no for an answer, sometimes you have to take a leap of faith, despite evidence suggesting you shouldn't. Do take into account the data. And try not to repeat the mistakes of others if they show that failure is (nearly always) inevitable. But then also be ready to jump. When you are having a mental wobble about taking that leap, ask yourself: 'What is the worst thing that can happen?'. Someone says no? You fail a test. You learn a lesson. Remind yourself that there is also, always an upside to every no, every 'failure', and every test, - you learn something and gain experience. 

4. I am always open to opportunity.

For such a long time I didn't understand why I always seemed to be doing things, opening doors and moving onwards and upwards, when others were stalling next to me. Now a HUGE part of that is my privilege as a white woman in the western world, with educated parents, and a stable home life. But even still, I realised that there is a mindset piece at play. We have huge control over our opportunities. Sadly, not complete control (side-note, if you are in a position of privilege then please please please, open the door for someone who isn't in your position). But we often have more control than we think. Be open to opportunities. See the good in what is presented instead of focusing on the negatives. Yes the critique will come (and I can easily fall into the trap of critiquing an opportunity far too much). But don't shut opportunities down at the outset. Examine them. Allow yourself to experience the possibilities that the opportunity may offer. Then make an informed decision on whether to jump on board or let it go. Don't just slam the door shut as soon as you see the first hurdle in the distance. 

5. I always aim to give more than I take.

Despite some notable prominent figures that would suggest otherwise, the majority of exceptional leaders and CEOs work on the principle of giving more than they take. Yes, it is easy to 'get screwed over', but overall it works out as a positive every time. There is extensive research in this area, nicely summarised in the book 'Give and Take' by Adam Grant. But if in doubt give. Give time. Give ideas. Open doors. Provide inspiration. Connect people. Provide opportunities. Offer insights. Solve problems. And you will rise. 

If you are ready to take on more and rise up in your career, but wondering what it takes and how to get going, then take a listen to one path to the C-Suite (one of many many possibilities), as I take the lid off how I got to where I am today:

https://tonicollis.com/episode20