Unlocking Your Career Potential: The Hard Work Myth

Hello Career Advancers! Let’s have a candid discussion about a common misconception many of us share—the belief that hard work alone guarantees career success. While diligence is crucial, there’s more to it than diving into the weeds and being the go-to person for everything, especially if you’re in a leadership role. Let’s debunk the "hard work myth" and uncover the real keys to unlocking your career advancement potential.

The Hard Work Myth

We’ve all been there—burning the midnight oil, thinking, “If I just work hard enough, surely they’ll notice, and promotions will follow.” Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. While your effort is important and valued, strategic career management is what truly sets you apart. This myth kept me in place in my early leadership career for 10 years. I’m here to share a few of my strategies so you can achieve your career advancement goals faster—like I did in the last 10 years of my leadership career where I was promoted four times! My super successful clients also follow these strategies and more.

Visibility Over Invisibility

I see you: you’re a dedicated leader, delivering stellar results. Always working at your desk, in your comfort zone with your team, working on all the things that made you successful in the past. But here’s the catch—if no one knows about your amazing work, does it even count? It’s like baking the perfect cake and leaving it in the pantry. Your accomplishments need a stage! So, step into the spotlight: highlight your leadership skills in new ways, share your successes, present in meetings, and ensure your contributions are seen and heard. You need to be seen as promotion-ready well before your next advancement opportunity is posted. Your business partners and other company leaders need to see you in action—leading, whether it’s directly or via influence.

Building Relationships

In the world of career advancement, relationships are like currency. Networking isn’t just for extroverts; it’s essential for anyone serious about their career. Build strong connections with colleagues, mentors, and industry peers. Make time to meet with people in other departments who may not be as familiar with your work. Look for opportunities to help solve problems or support others in an ERG or other networking group. Think of it as creating your very own career support squad. These relationships can open doors, provide support, and advocate for your growth. Plus, who doesn’t love having a few extra cheerleaders in their corner?

The Power of an Elevator Pitch

Now, let’s discuss one of my favorite tools—the elevator pitch. It’s like your career’s elevator music but far more impressive. A concise, compelling summary of who you are, what you do, and the value you bring. In fact, I offer a free template you can grab to start working on yours. Click HERE to access it. Perfecting your pitch allows you to confidently share your strengths and goals, making a lasting impression on decision-makers.

Embrace Strategic Career Management

Strategic career management is all about taking control. Set clear goals, seek feedback, and continuously develop your skills. Think of it as being the CEO of your own career. It’s about making informed decisions that align with your long-term aspirations and not just waiting for things to happen to you. There’s a whole lot of strategy involved, and I’m here to support you along the way, so reach out any time!

As you reflect on your career journey, ask yourself: Are you relying solely on hard work, or are you also strategically managing your career? By embracing visibility, building relationships, and honing your elevator pitch, you can rise above the hard work myth and start unlocking your true leadership career potential.

Join me in my upcoming Empowered Leadership Coaching Program, where we dive deeper into these strategies and more. Let’s turn your hard work into visible, impactful success. Learn More HERE or BOOK A CALL. Our next group program onboards the week of 8/5/24. Mention this article and you'll receive $500 off the pay in full investment option.

Exciting News: We’ve Rebranded!

In case you missed it: Tabatha Jones Consulting is now Empowered Leadership Coaching?? and EmpowerHER is now the Empowered Leadership Coaching Program.

I’ve also updated my title to Career Advancement and Leadership Coach to better reflect the work I do with clients and the outcomes they achieve. This rebranding aligns perfectly with my mission to simplify career advancement, helping you unlock your leadership potential so you can achieve your goals faster!

Stay tuned for more updates and thank you for being part of this journey!

Are you already on a promotion track? If so, grab my "FREE Promotion Checklist" and learn 10 things you should already be doing if you want to earn your promotion in the next 6 months Access HERE

Favorite podcast episodes available on Spotify for Career Advancers: Access Playlist

Here's some recent client love. Be sure to check my profile page to see more recommendations.