Redefining success: Advancing in your career without managing people

Getting promoted to a managerial position has traditionally been viewed as the pinnacle of career advancement. But what about those professionals who want to grow in their career as individual contributors, and don’t want to manage people????

Standardising management as the only path to career success leads to unhappy employees and poor management, shares CNN Business .?

To address these concerns, companies like Telstra and Rolls-Royce have rolled out dual career paths in some parts of the world. While companies like Ericsson and Crisil in India are rethinking their strategies by encouraging career navigability within the organisation and creation of portfolios, reports The Economic Times .??

So, what has caused this shift in this perception and how can individual contributors navigate their journey to career success? We ask experts to share their take in this article.??

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An uphill battle

The definition of career growth varies from one individual to another, says DIAGEO India’s CHRO Shilpa Vaid . Taking cue from insurance organisations, she recalls having observed various individual contributors retaining strategic and senior positions with a direct impact on the? business outcome.?

Certain professions like surgeons, sportsmen, media personalities, and software developers also have the potential to achieve prestige and make more money without managing a team.

“But if you want to lead these functions and get to the top job — if that is your ultimate career goal — then you need to lead teams at some stage in your career,” Vaid says.?

According to a survey by Harappa, an online learning platform led by upGrad, nearly six out of 10 managers in India are looking to leave their jobs due to reasons like career stagnation, lack of recognition, and feeling overworked, reports The Economic Times .?

The solution?

Definition and perception of what makes a leader needs to be addressed and catered career paths need to be defined for specialised functions, Vaid says. “We value roles by the size of the team and not the opportunity to make an impact, and that mindset needs to change.”

Management, the only path to career growth??

Rise of individualism, organisational evolution, internet boom, and the gig economy are some factors that have caused a shift in this traditional notion, says leadership coach and HR consultant Gulshan Walia .??

Making a comparison to past scenarios where attaining a corporate job ensured security and food on the table, she shares that socio-economic growth and a rise in incomes have led to improved conditions and increased independence. Following one’s passion has become a possibility, she adds.?

Another reason for this change is the need to retain talent. While some organisations are adapting to this change, “there is a lot more work required in innovating new job designs and career paths to cater to this pool of techno-functional experts,” she adds.?

The move towards a knowledge economy where skills are taking the centre stage is another reason for this shift, says Jerry Jose , Digital Marketing Lead, ZS.

Rise to the challenge

To climb the ladder, individual contributors face difficulties like lack of mentorship and support within the organisation, Jose says. Limited access to the leadership and a dearth of knowledge and experience in other departments are some added pitfalls.?

So, how can they work their way to the top? Jose shares the following tips:?

?? Identify your goals and develop a plan.?

??? Define success.

?? Participate in formal training, workshops, conferences, and develop the required skills.?

?? Take on new challenges and responsibilities.

?? Network and build connections with key stakeholders and experts in your field.

?? Stay on top of industry trends and developments and focus on becoming an expert or specialist in your field.

?? Find a mentor who can offer advice and help that is specific to your professional objectives.

?? Management and leadership are not always synonymous — demonstrate leadership skills by taking initiatives and providing assistance.

?? Find opportunities where you can make a difference.

?? Click here to read the previous edition that centres around the adoption of artificial intelligence in job search.

“Forcing individual contributors to take up managerial roles for career advancement can result negatively — making it difficult for them to fit in. For a successful career, these individuals need to identify their functional skill set, cultivate continuous learning, upskilling, and thereby adding more competencies to their primary focus. This can help them differentiate themselves.” — Jake Jose , HR Business Partner, Piramal Capital & Housing Finance Limited.

?? Individual contributors and people manager — both offer unique opportunities for growth and impact, says Rishi Kumar , Technical Advisor at Yes Securities. He shares the advantages of the former path here .?

??? How can adopting separate career paths for managers and individuals contributors benefit companies? HRBP Girish Rohra shares his take here .?

?? You don’t need to be a manager to shine in the tech world, says Olga Kuvshinova , Head of People at Saucal. Read here for insights.

• What is a dual career path and how are some companies retaining professionals who don’t want to take the managerial ladder? Read this post by LinkedIn’s News Editor Brendan Wong for details.?
• Is becoming a manager necessary for career success? The inclination is changing, highlights LinkedIn’s News Editor Jennifer Ryan in this post .?
• Embracing a non-linear career. View a non-linear career as an asset and not a liability, says writer Amy Blaschka in this piece .

How to navigate the workplace as a new manager? In this brief course , keynote speaker and virtual trainer Lorraine K. Lee highlights insights on ways to manage and lead a team towards success.

This is the 19th edition of the biweekly newsletter from Get Hired by LinkedIn News India. Each issue aims to provide insights on everything jobs-related, combined with expert views and member voices.?

Stay tuned by subscribing here and share your comments and thoughts using #GetHiredIndia .

By Dipal Desai — LinkedIn News Editor covering jobs and career development in India

Creator Manager: Neha Upalekar