Four ways to get support for your career (even if your boss is useless)

????Welcome to the latest in my series of how the hotel industry (including all its people, meaning YOU!) can do more to help its commercial people develop and progress.

Taking responsibility doesn’t mean going it alone

If you’re someone who wants to get ahead in your career, you’ve probably felt the frustration of not having enough support to help you get there.?

Relying solely on your boss to help you move up the ladder is like expecting your mum to get you through your GCSEs. Even if they mean well, they don’t have all the tools and expertise that you need.?

You’ll be left waiting a long time for that next promotion, and end up disheartened and demotivated when it doesn’t happen, kicking off a spiral of wondering if you are really destined for greater things or if you’ll be stuck in this job forever.?

I’ve been there, done that and got the corporate-branded water bottle! I’ve had bosses who didn’t care much, or who weren’t equipped to help me grow, or who didn’t think I was even good enough for the role I was in.?

If you want to grow, learn and earn, read on and understand who can help you get that next job.?

Here are 4 ways to get support with your career, with valuable insights from four industry experts (and me!):

• Samantha Lauver-Marion, Director of Global Partnerships at Asian Institute of Hospitality Management
• Colm Flanagan , Head of Global Chain Partners APAC at Hotelbeds
• Deepshikha Sehgal , Head of Commercial, Bakuun Holdings
• Malcolm Leong , Head of Revenue Management and Distribution Strategy at Far East Hospitality Management

Number one - get a good mentor

A mentor is someone who has been there and done that. They know your industry (maybe they are in your company) and understand what you are going through. A good mentor will be empathetic, a good listener, have strong opinions and experience, and can introduce you to the right people.?

Colm says: “My advice to younger people is to be curious, build your network,? and get a mentor. Get someone who's going to look out for you and I don't necessarily mean your boss. Having a mentor that can guide you through some difficult situations, and who’s been there and is experienced is invaluable”?

If your company doesn’t have an official mentoring program, try asking your boss to recommend someone, or do some research on the kind of person you would like as a mentor and reach out directly. I promise they will be flattered!

And remember, you need to take responsibility first, and that includes embodying a mentoring mindset yourself:

"Mentorship is not an event. It is a mindset. A belief there is something that we do for people that are below us, above us. Across from us. Everyone can develop from everyone else. The mentorship should be all about creating a space of kindness and support with gentle accountability." - Samantha.

Number two - activate your peer network

If you’re feeling bummed about your career progression, chances are that others around you are too. It is not a sign of weakness to look for help, and your peers could be the richest source of support and guidance. Think about it: the variety of different career paths, the different functions, teams and bosses, plus they understand how your company works!?

“It's not just about the people above you. It's about the people that are around you. I've had some great people in my teams, but I've also had some great peers, that I could reach out for support, that guided me when I didn't know something. Working closely with peers has been has really helped me a lot.” - Colm

Connecting with people is the antidote to worry; ask some of your colleagues out for lunch or a beer and be prepared to open up. You will be surprised how much you’ll have in common, and how willing people are to support others in their grand plans.?

Number three - network outside your company and industry

80% of jobs are filled through personal and professional connections. Meaning, if you don’t know people, you only have a shot at 1 in 5 of jobs available. More than that, people who find jobs through their network get more offers, with higher wages and higher positions, than people who apply online or send a CV.?

How can you start? Look for networking events that interest you, go to a coworking space once a week and make a point of chatting to people, or look for events run by Chambers of Commerce or Embassies especially if you are an expat. Aim to build genuine connections, rather than collect business cards.?

Number four - work with a coach

If you’d like more personalised support in getting ready for your next job move, work with a professional (like me!).?

One of my clients was stuck in a role where she was not given the autonomy to do her job or manage her team as she wanted, and instead was micromanaged both by her boss and by the CEO of the company. She felt frustrated, overwhelmed but also stuck: the golden handcuffs of the job title and prestige of the position meant she was worried about appearing to “go backwards” in her career.

We worked together to get clear on what she really wanted from a company, the unique strengths she brings to any role, and how to stay on track with what she wants without letting other people’s opinions sway her. Within just a few weeks, she interviewed for and got a job at a company with a great culture, a good boss and an excellent compensation package. What’s more, the worry about whether it was “the right move” was replaced with confidence that it was “the right move for her”.?

So remember, you can’t rely solely on your boss to get you a new job even if they are great (and especially if they are useless). You will just get stuck on a hamster wheel of frustration, wondering if there is something wrong with you.

Take control of your own next steps by leveraging different relationships, like a mentor, coach, your peers and a network outside of your own company.

Finally, a beautiful piece of advice from Deepshikha:

It's a beautiful industry with lots to offer. You just have to make your space and make your voice heard. Stand your ground, even if you're standing alone, say when things are wrong. What's the worst that can happen? It's very important to highlight and voice your opinion. The reason why anybody is hired in my opinion, is to add value, to add their perspective, to add their opinion.?

And finding your voice is exactly what I will be covering in the next edition of this newsletter!

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If you want some support, like, now! Then set up a free discovery call with me here.?