SHARPENING YOUR MANAGEMENT CAREER EDGE
How can you ensure your professional development as a manager so that it adds reliable value to your company? What does your learning edge need to be?
How can you ensure your professional development as a manager so that it adds reliable value to your company? What will make the difference between being good at your job and being a well-respected leader? The following ten tips can help you make that difference.
1. Know yourself inside-out Managing includes the skills and activities of planning, organizing, leading, motivating and coordinating resources. What do you see your learning needs to be? What would give you a powerful edge? There are many useful assessments online to help you determine your effectiveness and learning areas, whether they are strictly skill-based or in the areas of emotional intelligence and communication.
2. Know yourself outside-in Be willing to take an honest examination of your physical appearance and dress, which you may not have done in some time. Does your look reflect a bright, energized professional, or a tired, conservative one? Are your clothes worn or outdated? Do your shoes need polishing or the heels repaired? Paying attention to this demonstrates an alert professionalism and an eye for detail.
3. Finger on the Pulse Don’t ever be too busy to stay on top of meetings, offer your input on proposed changes and stay abreast of forecasted changes. Know your company’s direction and be in line with it. It won’t go down well if you’re working on what you think are priorities while the company’s considering other moves.
4. Question Authority Take chances. Being in line with your company’s objectives doesn’t mean you can’t encourage new ways of doing old processes and get them to see the value in your approach. You may have differences in what you see as important, but there’s no reason you can’t present your knowledge-based alternatives to the right people at the right time.
5. Know the Players Know not only the responsibilities of your teammates, but who among them has the bosses ear and who is typically in your camp when there is any division. Align all of your resources, including people, to get new projects or ideas accomplished – this can be true for your own salary needs, continuing education, etc. If you have others working with you who will speak positively of you, this will help make your recommended changes happen more effortlessly. Stay abreast of these key supporters and their professional changes, such as a report they had published. Read it and be sure to offer feedback and acknowledge them for it. Supporting others is paramount to gaining their support when you need it.
6. Get Outside Training Some positions require continuing education. But whether mandatory or not, always consider what would be value-added learning. To bring fresh energy to your role, and if you are job seeking, demonstrating continuous learning will speak well for you. For example, consider brushing up on your college language skills. To improve your management skills, The AMA (American Management Association) has corporate, small business and individual membership plans to assist you and offers a free online library with many resources. The IMDA (International Management Development Association) will support you in your global business development and practices and you could even be the next recipient of their annual reward for an outstanding international business person.
7. Survey Your Upline and Downline An annual review is all it seems busy offices have time for, but monthly team meetings and informal fifteen minute check-ins with employees or bosses are crucial. One of these should be about getting necessary feedback that goes into the file, while others can be feedback periods where neither of you are taking notes and both of you are assured your comments won’t be held against you. How do others view you, as a team player and respected leader? Find out when you frame your questions open-ended, such as, “In the recent X project, how could my input have been more valuable and how did you find my accessibility?” vs. “Did you get enough input from me during X project?” Share your values and listen to theirs. Talk about wins and brainstorm on challenges to overcome.
8. Knowledge Management Engage a management mentor outside your company to help you gain insight and a seasoned perspective you can apply. This is typically someone you will meet with face-to-face at least every two months, most often at no fee. Consider someone you know of who you respect and will hold your conversations confidential so you can prepare for each meeting with questions and discuss your approach. If you don’t know of someone, you can locate a management mentor/counselor in the United States through the SCOREAssociation (Service Corps of Retired Executives) , ask friends who they can refer you to, do a general search online, or if you are in a smaller disadvantaged business, you may qualify for the Department of Defense (DOD) Mentor-Protege Program.
9. Stay current on your industry Read current management books that are well-rated and specific to your needs within your industry.
10. Consult other management professionals Talk with others at your professional peer level to hear what development resources they’ve found useful. Consider attending a conference, symposium or network meeting where you’ll meet others like your customers and clients and can hear their concerns and interests.
There are other resources to utilize for your management success, but these are ones often considered, yet put on the side burner until there is “free time” for them. Don’t wait until you find yourself in a situation where you wish you had the information and training proposed here. Don’t be caught without your best foot forward. Your commitment to these resources will keep you fresh, visible and non-expendable. Also see other resources online such as the free management library at www.managementhelp.org.
She offers complimentary coaching sessions, giveaways and resources, including her semi-monthly e-zine, "Change-makers’ Career Tips, ", at creatingatwill.com c. 2011
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