Climbing the Corporate Ladder in a Work From Home Environment
Chris Ressa
COO at DLC Management Corp. | Host of the Retail Retold Podcast | Commercial Real Estate | Follow ?? #RessaOnRealEstate
For many workers in Corporate America, physically being at the office, helps build relationships with colleagues and leaders of organizations. Whether it's popping in someone's office to ask a question or the casual encounter at the coffee bar. Working remotely has it's complications in garnering visibility with peers and management. While there is no doubt actual performance is a critical factor in rising up the corporate ladder, and no doubt that performance can be assessed remotely. Performance is not the only factor considered by employers when assessing employees primed for internal growth opportunities: culture champions, ideal team players, and a host of other intangibles matter.
Below are three (3) ways to continue to position yourself for growth at your company in a #wfh environment.
1??. Offer help.
Doing business in a Covid-19 world has created new challenges that require new strategies, all while executing on standard business plans. While they are remote, most management teams are grinding. Find out how you can be a help. People want to work with those who are willing to pitch in and are confident they have their back.
2??. Stay connected.
While you might not have the standard impromptu coffee run, you can schedule video conference meetings with your colleagues. Connecting others and connecting with others are intangible skills that most employers find vital when moving employees up the corporate ladder. Maybe it's a call on best practices on working from home. Perhaps it's a call about industry trends. It could be anything that is productive and connects team members.
3??. Show initiative.
Talk to your manager and other leaders in the organization about what you can do during this time to improve. Given the current business climate, there might be new skills the company is looking to grow internally. Find out directly from the leaders inside what skills they are looking for the organization to acquire. Inquiring about the company's future skill demands will show that you are personally attempting to grow while simultaneously adding abilities the company is looking for people to add.
Humble Servant | Faithful Connector | Selfless Giver
4 年Chris Ressa very well written and good advice! I have a unique perspective having worked in corporate environment since 2001 with Home Depot, RaceTrac, McDonalds, Arby’s and Tropical Smoothie Cafe. Home Depot was financial operations analysts, chained to a desk. I observed at McDonalds that remote leaders could be just as successful, if not more, than regional and national office employees. I also found at McDonald’s that dealing with jerky property owners on the phone did not bode well for office mates within earshot. Even when conference rooms were available at the office, I never found the office to be an efficient place to work for this reason alone...and....despite your great tips, the culture of every company was vastly different navigating the corporate ladder. Give people work purpose.
??Retail Real Estate leader devoted to improving communities through development and strategic leasing. ??Quarterly writer for International Retail Magazine. ??Named 2025 Top Retail Expert by Rethink Retail.
4 年Very good advice. “Dress for the job you want, not the job you have.” If you want to be a leader, then inspire others to follow you. Leadership doesn’t come from a title placed under name on a business card. Tactical experience is part of the equation for corporate elevation. The intangible skill sets of great and inspirational leaders can be learned through informal education and practice. #gpretales