#43: Are you aligned with your boss about the next move?
Why it's important to be actively involved in your career strategy
Hey friends,
Welcome to the 43rd edition of the “Level Up Ladder” newsletter.
This week’s action tip: Reflect on your current career development plan. Does it offer the clarity and direction you need?
If not, consider the steps outlined in the second section of this email to begin crafting a path that resonates with your professional goals.
1/ A few updates from my side
I took advantage of the fact that I had a free weekend (no classes), and I relaxed, read, went for a couple of runs, and saw two movies nominated for the Oscars: “Killers of the Flower Moon” and “Poor Things”. They were both great movies, very different, but I enjoyed them both.
Unfortunately, I also had to visit some doctors to check on a back issue I had been having since falling on the ice a couple of weeks ago. Long story short, it’s not something serious, but I need to recover for a couple of weeks with no intense workouts and on medication.
This reminded me of a saying that I find true:
"A healthy person has a thousand wishes, a sick person just one.”
Tony Robbins
It was also a good reminder of how important our health is and how grateful we should be for it when we have it. That’s why I put it first on my gratitude list in December.
I’m happy I will be fine, though, and I wish you good health too.
Now, let’s talk about your next career move.
2/ Do you know what your next step is?
In the business world, a common misconception usually affects people: the idea that hard work alone will catapult you into your next promotion or career leap.
While dedication and effort are undoubtedly critical to professional success, they are part of a broader spectrum of factors that contribute to career advancement.
Let’s explore why a clear development strategy and specific metrics for success are not just beneficial but essential for your growth.
The Pitfall of Vague Promises
"Work hard, and you’ll get promoted."
It's a narrative many of us have heard throughout our careers.
There are many companies out there that use it as a career-growth strategy.
No roadmap. No criteria for success. No timeline.
And what does “working hard” really mean?
Without clarity, you might find yourself running in place, uncertain if you’re moving closer to your goal.
The Need for a Clear Development Strategy
Look, this “strategy” might be good for 90% of the people. The people who see work as just a means of making a few dollars for their annual vacation, a place they go to just to come back from.
But that’s not you, is it? You’re a high-achiever. You want more; you want a great career in a role you love being in.
Then, you need a strategy that details the below:
Direction and Clarity: A well-defined career development plan offers a blueprint for success, outlining the skills, milestones, and competencies required to advance. It transforms hard work into targeted effort, ensuring that your energy is channeled effectively toward your professional goals.
Skill Acquisition: Identifying the skills necessary for your next career step is crucial. A development strategy should detail these skills, providing a focus for learning and personal growth. This ensures you’re not just working hard but working smart, acquiring the knowledge and competencies that will propel you forward.
Objective Metrics: Success in the absence of metrics is difficult to measure. Clear, quantifiable goals allow you to track your progress, offering insight into areas of strength and opportunities for improvement. These metrics serve as a compass, guiding your professional journey.
A time perspective: Of course, no one can guarantee you a specific time horizon for the next promotion to happen. Several factors step in, like the economy, market shifts, or a change in the business strategy. You still need a high-level plan. Will it happen next year, in the next 3 years, or maybe in the next decade?
Cultivating Your Growth
As your growth is mostly important to you, you need to take active steps toward it. If you wait for your manager to take action regarding your career path, you might be in for an unpleasant surprise.
Initiate the dialogue: Take the initiative to discuss your career aspirations and seek input on developing a personalized growth plan.
Embrace feedback: Constructive feedback is a cornerstone of professional development. Regular check-ins with your supervisor can provide valuable insights into your performance and help you adjust your trajectory as needed.
Seek learning opportunities: Whether through formal training, workshops, or self-directed learning, continuously expanding your skill set is pivotal. Each new skill acquired not only brings you closer to your next role but also enriches your professional experience.
Your Role in Shaping the Future
Remember, the responsibility for your career development lies with both you and your employer. While companies should provide the framework for growth, proactive engagement with your career trajectory is key to realizing your aspirations.
Have you encountered the "work hard, get promoted" mantra?
How have you navigated your career growth amidst such narratives?
And if you haven’t thought about it yet, what will you do to make it right?
3/ Recommendation: Building a powerful LinkedIn Strategy
As most of you know, I have been quite "bullish” on LinkedIn for the past several months or so. I was growing on Twitter, now X, for a while, but I didn’t feel like the audience there was suited for the things I talked about.
So, I left 17K followers there and started almost from scratch on LinkedIn, but I feel that my message resonates a lot more on this platform, as my target audience is high-achievers who want to become better leaders and grow their careers.
And I will talk more about the LinkedIn journey in another newsletter. Here, I just want to emphasize my belief that no matter where you are, what role you are in, or what your aspirations are, you should build a personal brand.
You need social media to do that, and depending on where your audience is, this might mean LinkedIn, Instagram, or TikTok.
If you want to grow on LinkedIn, though, there are several resources out there to get you started. But one of my favorite creators is Jasmin Alic.
I have no affiliation with him; I have never spoken to him. I just admire the way he writes and engages on the platform.
Jay is a copywriter from Bosnia who has become one of the influencers on this platform and a clear example that there are no geographical limits in the internet age.
As someone living in Romania who has an audience spread all over the globe, I am delighted to see other creators from this corner of Europe making it big online.
A great resource I came across is this podcast Jay did with Chris Do, and it’s a masterclass on building a LinkedIn presence.
Give it a go if you want to get started or if you’ve already started and want to grow.
Thank you for reading, and let me know if you liked something in particular in this newsletter.
Until next time,
Leo
P.S.: If you want to read my content daily, don’t forget to follow me on Linkedin.
P.S. 2: If you want to take your productivity to the next level, check out my extensive Productivity course that can accelerate your career.