Whether you’re at the bottom of the ladder or already on your way up, it’s important to understand that raw performance is not the only determinant of your career evolution within an organisation. Of course, poor performers are less likely to fast-track their career ambitions but many more factors can be accounted for.
Many psychological studies have pointed out the role that the attitudes and behaviours we adopt play in influencing both our personal and professional success.
Here come the 9 habits that allow people to move up the Corporate Ladder Higher and faster. If you’re in a managerial position, you might want to track these habits and behaviours to identify who you should promote.
#1 – They are modest, not arrogant
Whey you act like a “know-it-all”, you may look arrogant, condescending, haughty or all of these at the same time… The ones who display humility demonstrate that they have a lot to learn and discover. They adopt a continuous improvement mindset and remain open to their environment and others. They are not afraid to admit it when they don’t have the answer but will do all they can to find it. This means asking questions or asking for help, rather than making their colleagues or boss believe that they’re in control.
People who are humble will not hesitate to attribute success when it’s appropriate. They know that success (is in most cases!) dependent on collaboration with others. Adopting this habit will make people stick by your side and be supportive when needed.
#2 – They seek to give rather than to take
Before anything else, good colleagues and managers know that giving a hand when their peers need it is the basis of every relationship. Great leaders are also highly-altruistic individuals. They provide all the tools, culture and methods their team members need so that are well equipped to give the most our of their abilities. Organisations that provide exceptional customer service provide what their clients wish for before even trying to figure out what they can get out of them.
#3 – They cultivate optimism rather than pessimism
People who are optimistic are also more enthusiastic and exude a contaminating energy that they transfer to their colleagues, manager, clients and partners. Adopting an optimistic mindset in anything you do allow you to aim higher and get more done. It gives you the guts to take (calculated) risks and as a result, accomplish more. On the other hand, when you’re pessimistic, you tend to spend more time thinking what could turn out wrong rather than taking action…
#4 – They don’t spend all their time planning
Sure, planning is important… but it’s pointless if it’s not followed by execution. It can feel reassuring to try to predict, analyse and control everything in detail. But good business can simply not occur under those conditions. Once your plan is established, move to the next step, take action, execute your plan, and observe the results produced. This agile approach allows you to learn more in a shorter amount of time. Because whether the outcome is positive or negative, you can draw lessons from your actions, which in turn allow you to make adjustments.
#5 – They never stop thinking
True leaders are constantly looking forward, delivering and inspiring people around them – not just once in a while! Taking the habit of thinking continuously implies thinking often, thinking about what’s good for your company, your team or your clients. Success is the result of a long sighted thinking process, not the consequence of one-off, short-term plans.
#6 – They take initiatives (before others do)
People who climb the Ladder Higher and faster are the ones who do not look twice when it comes to raising a hand to undertake new tasks. They are voluntary to complete the missions that no one else want to accomplish, and make the effort of getting out of their zone of comfort – while this makes them feel (totally) uneasy. Leaders don’t wait to be told what to do, they take the initiative. First. Always.
#7 – They are mindful
If understanding others and being approachable is very important, understanding yourself, your emotions and feelings is just primordial. Being mindful of what moves you positively or negatively will enable you to avoid spreading gloomy, apathetic or discouraging feelings around you. The one who doesn’t take the time to listen to his own mind cannot be attentive to others and develop empathetic qualities necessary to leadership.
#8 – They work on their flexibility
The only unchanging thing is change itself. From there, it is foundational to have the ability to face those evolutions which can be faced by your organisation. People who cannot adapt (consciously or unconsciously) slow down their organisation development. And in turn, their own career advancement. The solution? Embracing change rather than fearing it, seeing it more as a source of opportunity than a source of threat.
#9 – They share with others
High achievers know that their knowledge and competencies can develop exponentially when they share with others. Keeping everything for yourself, like a treasure you refuse to share, will not impoverish you – but will certainly not enrich you! Sharing your knowledge with others help them to develop and improve. Therefore you should be involved in their own development, whenever the opportunity presents.
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