How do I get to the next level in my career before my window closes?
Maynard Webb
Founder, Webb Investment Network; Author ‘Dear Founder’; Board member Visa and Salesforce.
I’ve worked in corporate for more than 20 years, with the last quarter of my career reporting to a direct report of the CEO. Despite my officer-level experience at big companies, I’m struggling to break into the CEO’s direct report circle. My goal is to become a CEO, but I feel unseen and stuck. How do I best position myself for these higher-level opportunities before my window closes?
-Senior Executive
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Dear Senior Executive,
Obviously, you are doing a great job and highly respected. Now we need to get you the recognition you deserve and the opportunities you covet.
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I’ve had times in my career when I’ve felt what you are feeling. I think back to when I was at the top of the IT organization, but the company didn’t think enough about IT or consider it to be worthy of being at the exec level. Though I was a direct report of the president of a division, I was told I didn’t have to come to his staff meetings. I went anyway. But ultimately, I had to leave that job and go to a company where what I did was seen as strategic and mission critical.
Right now, it’s important to build a brand for yourself inside the company and outside the company.
At your current company, make sure you’re working on something that’s worthy of board-level awareness. Make sure you’re getting recognized and someone with influence is your champion. (I believe that people like to help up-and-coming people. Do good work to attract and earn this support.)
Externally, explore potential board roles. Serving on boards can help elevate you inside and outside the company. It’s hard to get a board role, but once you’re on a board it gives validation and people see you as belonging. Remember to pick these roles wisely. Just like you’ve built a resume of good companies that you’ve worked for, your board resume should include good companies. It’s not just about serving on boards but serving on the right boards.
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1 个月Very helpful. Most of time moving from executive level to board level depends on opportunities and size of the company. Knowledge and experience can lift someone but as time goes on the age of the employee may be an issue to find another chance externally so better carry on the struggle within one's company.