7 Questions To Gain Clarity For Your Next Level

Here's a question I often get from executives eager to grow in their careers.

"What should I do to be recommended for my next level role?"

To start with, block the time to reflect on the following 7 questions so that you gain clarity on your immediate next steps.

How?well do you really excel in your current role?

You truly believe you do excellent work because you work hard and put in the extra effort to be the best you can be. But sometimes it's difficult to know if you are really excelling or if you could be doing better. Being keenly aware of the real demonstrated value you are bringing to the table is important before you proceed. Journal this for greater self-awareness. What has been your biggest accomplishment in your current role so far? How have you added value to your team or company? How well can you quantify your contributions? What are some areas you would like to improve in your current role? What are some challenges you have faced in your current role? How well have you handled these challenges? Are you fully leveraging your strengths to get the best possible outcomes?

When the spotlight is constantly on you, you cannot hide like an ostrich and hope no one finds out. Guess what? Knowing the reality is the key to your progress.

"To Know Thyself Is The Beginning of Wisdom" ~Socrates

How?ready are you really for your next-level?role?

While many executives are ambitious and impatient, only a few regularly check their readiness for the next level role. (Action: Check your Leadership Readiness Score using the link at the end of this article)

How do people in authority?see you, perceive you, and feel about you?

People in authority might be seeing you as the go-getting-easy-to-work-with-high-achiever. They might also be perceiving you as someone who is always willing to put in the extra effort to get the job done. They may feel that you are a reliable and dependable member of the team. But, the key question to ask is. Do they see you as someone who will be ideal for the next level role?

Do they see you as someone who will be ideal for the next level role?

(Word of caution: People in authority might perceive you as someone who is always looking for new challenges and constantly improving. While this can be seen as a positive trait, it can also lead to burnout if you're not strategic. It's important to find a balance between challenging yourself and taking care of yourself, both physically and mentally. If you feel like you're constantly pushing yourself to the limit, take a step back - reassess your goals and adopt better strategies. Successful people do not stress about success. They use better strategies. Learn from the best.)

Successful people do not stress about success. They use better strategies.

How well have you defined, enhanced, and established your personal branding?

When it comes to personal branding, it's important to think about how you can define, enhance, and establish yourself in order to excel in your current role and beyond.

Here are a few things to consider:

First, think about how you can define your personal brand. What makes you unique? What do you want others to perceive about you when they hear your name? How can you stand out in a crowd of equals? Once you have a good understanding of what your personal brand is all about, you can start thinking about how to enhance it.

There are many ways to enhance your personal brand, but one of the most important is to show up where people turn up and act in ways consistent with your brand positioning. Make sure your profiles reflect the image you want to highlight and that your contributions are aligned with your stated goals, beliefs, and values. You can also use powerful channels like speaking engagements or writing useful articles to share your expertise and build up your personal brand. (Further reading: You can't move up if you do not stand out)

You can't move up if you do not stand out

How strong are your relationships with people who can help or hinder your progress?

When it comes to achieving success in any field, it’s important to have strong relationships with people who can help you along the way. But it’s also just as important to be aware of the relationships that might hinder your progress.

Think about the people in your life who have helped you get to where you are today. These could be mentors, colleagues, peers, or team members. These are the people who see your value, believe in you, and want to see you succeed. Surround yourself with smart people who can offer advice and aircover when you need it the most.

Surround yourself with smart people who can offer advice and aircover when you need it the most.

Now think about the relationships that might not be helping you as much as you thought. These could be toxic colleagues, negative peers, or judgmental bosses. These are the people who bring you down instead of lifting you up. They’re the ones who make you doubt yourself and your abilities. A keen awareness of your allies and detractors can help you to chart your path forward in a professional manner.

A keen awareness of your allies and detractors can help you to chart your path forward in a professional manner.

What are you doing to?take your influence to the next level?

Firstly, focus on honing the 5 core skills you need to master. This includes being able to effectively articulate your thoughts and ideas in a clear and concise manner, both in writing and in speech. When you're communicating with others, make sure you're clear and concise. Be respectful of other people's time by getting to the point quickly. Additionally, strive to use the language they understand. Pay attention to both behaviours and perceptions.

Secondly, work on building strong relationships with those around you, including your Team 1, 2, and 3. Get to know them on a personal level to understand their motivations, values, and beliefs. (Know others: what makes them tick and what triggers them). This will not only strengthen your professional relationships but also build trust and help you better understand each other's needs. You want to be the go-to person when important decisions need to be made, and you want others to respect and admire you for the value you bring. When people feel like they can trust and relate to you, they will be more likely to listen to your ideas and be open to authentic influence.

Finally, be sure to always keep your mind on the big picture. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and take risks. Open yourself up to the possibility of rejection. You might lose some battles in your pursuit to win the war.

Open yourself up to the possibility of rejection. You might lose some battles in your pursuit to win the war.

What is the missing link between?your efforts and your rewards?

If you feel like you are doing all the right things, but not getting what you want, it could be because your efforts are out of alignment with the results you want. It could be a leadership blind spot you have been overlooking all along. We are good at seeing the blindspots of others, not ours. Take help if you need to find out that missing link once and for all.

If you feel like you are doing all the right things, but not getting what you want, it could be because your efforts are out of alignment with the results you want. Take help if you need to find out that missing link once and for all.

Once you gain clarity, you can get started on your journey to the next level. Still, you need to fix the gaps, move the needle, make the pitch, get the role, expedite the transition and excel in the new role. Then the cycle continues for each next level.

Call To Action

Next Level Readiness?is the?mantra?for?sustainable?leadership success. Check your readiness score by completing the FREE assessment below.

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