Moving to a new BV job nearly always feels like moving up in some way…
John Borrowman, CPC
Borrowman Baker, LLC
Gallatin, TN
Failure to win that recent promotion may not have been for lack of trying. Sometimes there just aren’t enough promotion opportunities to go round. As in most walks of life, though, you can make your own luck. You can increase your chances of being promoted into your dream job.
How?
You just need to understand the criteria that modern employers use to identify high-potential, future leaders and make sure you simply ooze these characteristics so that when the opportunity arises, you will be chosen.
What exactly are these “high-potential characteristics”?
One of the most widely used models of high potential status is based on research from Teacher’s College Columbia University and the Center for Creative Leadership. According to this research, the key quality which the most career progressive individuals possess is known as ‘learning agility’. If you want to be seen as potential leader and work your way up the ladder you’ll need to be able to demonstrate learning agility. Learning-agile individuals exhibit 5 specific behaviors.
The first of these is that they innovate and are not afraid to challenge the status quo. There is a balance to be struck, of course, between pushing boundaries and being disruptive. But, the most career progressive individuals judge this well and strike the right balance, raising their head above the parapet at the right times.
The next fairly obvious quality is performing and being able to stay calm during difficult situations. No surprise here.
The third behavior identifiable to high potentials is being able to reflect on your behavior in situations and apply your learning to future scenarios. A mentor might help this process.
The next quality is risking, and this does not mean gambling or being reckless. It means taking on new challenges and moving out of your comfort zone. (Mentor; see, also)
And the final quality is being defending as opposed to defensive which means you are open to feedback and learning.
So, there you have it, these are the five habits that you should be displaying if you want to maximize your chance of promotion. But, do be realistic; there simply may not be enough career opportunities to go round. If opportunities are not presenting themselves, you may need to consider looking for a promotion outside of the organization.
John Borrowman
