MOVE UP THE CORPORATE LADDER....A Checklist

Moving into Upper Management at your present company or a new one requires you to think like Upper Management. Here’s a list that will help you make that leap upper management.

1. “Think Like You Are In Charge” – develop your ability to see the big picture. You need to understand all the elements that make the business work – development of core competency, financial and budget responsibility, staff, goal setting and planning.
2. “Make Friends” – get to know the right people who make decisions. Introduce yourself, find a way to connect. It could be over a project at work, philanthropic endeavor, or a hobby. Most importantly, however you connect, it should be something you are really interested, authenticity counts.
3. “Practice Decision Making” – practice to get yourself in the leader mindset. Volunteer to take over projects, create projects that will help the business goals – pitch them and get them approved. Projects with financial responsibility are the best. Take charge when you can, and deliver on your promise.
4. “Presence Matters” – make sure you look, walk and talk like the person in charge. Take time to invest in your appearance, how you communicate, and body language. You need to look like can run the meeting, create buy-in and make good decisions for the team and the business. You need to be an effective speaker.
5. “Coaching” – invest in a coach. Ask others in leadership roles for referrals, network within professional associations to find a good one. The best coaches help you build on your strengths and compensate for your weaknesses. Also, don’t be afraid to change coaches as needed.
6. “Coaching, 2” – learn to be a coach. As a manager, you already do this day to day, per situation. To move up you need to know how to nurture the business as well as the people. Success is built on the strength of our teams – you need to know how to manage great people to create great success.
7. “Objectivity” – maintain your objectivity. You need to practice business objectivity, regardless of opinion, what’s the best for the business…this is where the hard decisions are made like hiring and firing.
8. “Continue to Learn and Grow” – invest in reading and keeping yourself educated. Online courses, books, seminars, conferences, trade publications, trend reports, the list is long. Keep up.
9. “Risks” – step out of the comfort zone. Every good manager takes a risk to ensure continued success of the business. Risks are based on timing, experience, education, and business acumen.
10. “Listen” – keep your ears open, your eyes peeled, your mouth shut. There are times when you need to be in the audience so you can master the room.

Keep in mind this list becomes second nature as you change your thinking and habits. And, it sustains you once you are in the BIG chair.