Talented Worker or Workplace Talent? – Part 2

Planning for Progress

We started off by talking about what the word “Talent” actually means in the workplace and how to stand out as one.

The story doesn’t end there.

Standing out as a Talent in the workplace is one level. At some point, your needs and wants will change. You want to move higher and take up new challenges or responsibilities. You want to feel a sense of growth and progress, and progress means different things to different people. For some, it could be vertical, for others, lateral and either can involve the same organization or another organization.

Lateral growth within an organization would look like a job enrichment or expansion which may or may not be followed by an increase in pay. While this may seem like more work for less pay, at least compared to the work, your ability to handle more and be additionally skilled positions you for greater growth.

The truth is, people who get promoted don’t start doing higher level work when they get to the higher position. They’re already doing the work before they are promoted, so the promotion formalizes it. It’s a bit of an open secret.

You can also grow laterally by moving to another organization where you will be performing a similar role.

Vertical growth is, of course, when you move to a higher role with an increase in pay. This could also be within the same organization or in another.

Having set the stage, let’s get into the business of how you can make progress.

Well, every successful project starts with a plan. Project “you” should be no different. So:

1.??????Have a plan: Identify your specific career goals. Determine the greater milestones you need to meet and define the smaller steps you need to take. Study the company dynamics and understand what gets noticed.

?2.??????Keep Networking: Even when you have a job, you want to keep building your network, both online and in person. Build connections to reach out to when you are ready for a career move or in need of a mentor.

?3.??????Keep Learning: Seek employer feedback on a regular basis, particularly after each project. Always aim higher than your current position and drive yourself to keep learning more about your current and future work.

?4.??????Show initiative and be willing to do unpopular tasks: Position yourself as versatile and adaptable. It signals to your supervisors that you are committed to the growth of both yourself and the company. You gain additional skills that could be valuable to you later in your career journey.

?5.??????Become a Resource: Be known for a specific thing such that you come to mind when that thing is mentioned. Become the go-to person in that area.

?6.??????Present yourself as the level you aspire to: Be conscious of your appearance and your communication skills. Think at the level you aspire to get to and not where you are. Take the time to study your boss and the company and discover what they value so that you become that person that supports their interests. Dress the part and talk the part, but have the substance to back it up!

?7.??????Be entrepreneurial in your approach to the job: See yourself as a consultant to the business in your role and act like the CEO of your job. Organizations no longer guarantee lifetime employment so think of yourself as someone who has a contract to do the job for the company.

?8.??????Build your online presence: It is easy to be seen in only one light when your expertise is limited to your organization. Social Media provides an outlet for your knowledge and creativity and showcases your talents. Demonstrating your expertise online expands your influence, your network and challenges you to get better at what you do. When you are recognized by others, it elevates your value within and outside your organization.

?9.??????Have a life and Interests outside the office: Those that make progress in the workplace have a broad range of skills and interests. They come across as engaging, interesting individuals who can share common interests with different types of personalities within and outside the organization. They can also use the knowledge relating to those interests to their advantage in making workplace decisions. Be that person!

?Make the move from talented worker to workplace talent and stand out from the crowd.

*** For more career tips and lessons, visit my blog “The Talent Guide Career Blog” at toyintalkstalent.wordpress.com. ***

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