Are you looking for ways to fast-track your career and take the next steps toward success? Unfortunately, there's no overnight fix but there are skills and tactics you can use to give yourself a better chance at getting promoted or being trusted with more responsibilities. One of these tactics is to take more initiative to stand out, so here are some ideas to help you be more confident.
Take A Proactive Approach
Taking a proactive approach will work wonders for your career. You might currently prefer to stand back and let others tell you what to do. There’s nothing wrong with that, but it means you’re often waiting around rather than doing anything. If you take a proactive approach, you can get more done and learn more. Your manager will also recognize your willingness to help out and trust you to handle more demanding projects over colleagues who aren’t as eager.
Learn How to Lead
You don’t have to be a manager to know how to lead. There may be a situation where your manager is away and someone needs to take control. By researching management careers or management training options, you can be the one who takes the lead. Management is not bossing people around while you go for a long lunch or a round of golf. You need to know the key skills and tools necessary for being an effective leader, so taking management training could be hugely beneficial.
Don’t Be Afraid to Speak Up
Some people are naturally inclined to speak up whereas others prefer to keep their opinions to themselves. They don’t want to bother others or even risk saying something that could upset their managers. However, this isn’t the right approach for anyone seeking more initiative. If you have an issue with something, including business processes or ideas, tell people. This way, you can voice any concerns and hopefully find a better solution.
Identify Problems and Solve Them
No business is perfect and there will always be better ways to do X, Y or Z. use your problem-solving skills to identify areas where the company could improve and bring solutions to the manager to ensure they make effective changes. You can identify ways to be more efficient or save money on specific services. Whatever you see, it’s always worth bringing it to those who can make a difference but only if you have considered how to solve it.
Be More Prepared For Meetings
Meetings are your chance to get your voice heard and demonstrate how well you understand the company. However, many professionals dread meetings. They’re boring and often too long. They just want to get them over with. You might feel the same but you can still consider these meeting preparation tips to ensure you’re ready for the discussion and feel more engaged. You might dislike meetings because you’re never involved. Taking this approach means you can contribute.
Taking Initiative
Taking initiative at work can showcase your skills and help you stand out this way, your name will be one of the first cast into the conversation when your managers are discussing raises or even promotions
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