You know you’re capable of more, and you want to move up. You want to lead and make a difference. But getting to that position is no walk in the park. Here are some ways you can prove you’re ready to work in leadership and management.
1. Be good at what you do.
This might go without saying, but just to be clear, part of good leadership and management is setting a positive example of excellence. Show your supervisor how skilled you are at your work. Become irreplaceable to the company’s mission.
2. Be on time.
Oftentimes managers must show up early and stay late to get the work done. A simple thing you can do to prove you’ll be ready for the increased workload and responsibility is to consistently show up on time and ready to work.
3. Support your colleagues.
As a manager, you’ll need to be the ultimate team player. Prove that you have the interpersonal skills it takes by supporting your co-workers as you can, even if it means stepping outside of your usual tasks.
4. Invest in yourself.
Prove to yourself and others that you are serious about career growth by investing in professional development opportunities. Great ways to do this are by attending conferences, joining professional organizations, or by earning additional degrees. You can earn a management degree at a local university or even take online management classes from SNU.
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5. Be clear about your intentions.
If your supervisors don’t know you’re interested in moving up, they may look past you at more vocal employees. Speak up when appropriate about your intentions for growth or even schedule a meeting to work on a professional development plan with your supervisor or HR department.
6. Take responsibility for yourself and the team.
Great leaders know when to take responsibility and don’t place blame on others. Show that you are ready for a management role by owning your mistakes and learning from them.
7. Overdeliver.
When asked to do a task, plan to deliver beyond what is expected. Is your brief due on Friday? Turn it in Wednesday. Provide a cleanly designed page instead of a plain word document. Whatever you do, do it to the best of your ability.
8. Look for solutions.
Instead of going with the status quo, look for ways to improve your work environment without complaining or blaming. Not all of your ideas will be implemented, but you’ll show you have the mindset to lead and constantly improve the organization.
9. Work your way up.
One of the best ways to become a manager is to follow the natural progression of growth within a company. Start at an entry level role, and constantly follow the tasks above, and over time you’ll find yourself earning more and responsible for more.
10. Apply for managerial roles.
If number nine isn’t working for you or you’ve just moved to a new location, don’t be afraid to apply for managerial roles at other organizations. In your time as a professional, you’ve developed a range of skills that can be used in a variety of ways. Show potential employers that you’ve learned and are ready for this type of role.
If you’re ready to become a manager and you think management classes could help you get there, visit this page for more information. We can’t wait to hear from you and help you reach your goals.
