If you currently believe the next step in your career is into a leadership/executive role but are unsure how to make the transition, here are some tips to help you ascend to stardom!!!
- Start where you are –
what I mean by this is, give yourself some credit! Examine how you are contributing today in your role. Are you already managing people? Is there a specific project that you are responsible for? Do other department managers come to you for IT advice and direction? If so you already have management skills. - Recognise the areas you need to work on –
for example do you need to add to your current skill set? You may be a fantastic programmer/expert in an ERP system rollout, but maybe you need to complete that masters you started some time ago… or adding a data analytics course to your resume or a project management accreditation might set you apart. - What is it about a leadership role that you like?
In your current position, colleagues might see you as their go to person for all IT queries, but there is a difference in being popular and knowledgeable and being the leader. What areas are attractive to you? Obviously enhancing your overall financial package is an incentive, but what would really be a driver for you to step up to a leadership role? Is it devising IT strategy for the organization? Is it mentoring colleagues? You need to know what your incentive is to move into a leadership role. - Decide where you want to be a leader.
Do you want promotion in your existing position or do you want to move to a bigger company with more budget and bigger projects? Or would you prefer a company size where you feel part of the overall decision making process? Maybe you are driven by industry specific organizations or by companies that align with your core values? - Being a leader is just that –
leading out new ideas and new ways to work technically. No other industry moves as quickly or is as time-critical as technology. As a leader your role requires you to be ahead of the current trends and see into the future!!! It is only in the last few years since the pandemic that technology enabled the way forward with ‘working from home’ and AI is here to stay.
As an expert in your chosen field, if you feel the time is right for you to step up, be brave and reach for the stars!!!
