My work with employees throughout the years has been exceptionally rewarding to me for one primary reason. It has allowed me to participate in a small but measured way, to guide people to higher levels of personal growth and satisfaction, while helping them to discover and reconnect  with their natural skills, talents, interests and abilities.

I am usually  involved in helping them with their thinking, to improve clarity, while giving them guidance on how to move along and progress in their chosen fields with specific goals and objectives.

What I have found over time, is that most people do not progress or move along on their objectives for two basic reasons:

1.    Lack of a strategy or plan.

2.    Lack of specific skills

To the extent that I can provide this universe of people a process, either through career coaching or business mentorship, to begin to get unstuck and unglued from their previous experiences, then we begin down the road to progress. Witnessing people move forward then that allows me, through regular feedback sessions, to “check in” with them, and to be of on-going service and benefit to them.

This to me is very important, for it is the beginning of creating and re-enforcing the success, beliefs thinking and self-esteem of the student.   Few decision makers in Corporate America or in the entrepreneurial marketplace is going to tap you on the shoulder, select you and appoint you to a level of higher responsibility without a proven successful track record of achievement, and subsequent followership from those around you.

As a society, we are still very much a meritocracy. This means that the candidate must stand out from the sea of other employees and entrepreneurs by being the most unique and best prepared of the crowd candidates. Raise your hand and take a position or make a recommendation, however unpopular it may be, because this behavior helps to demonstrate your interest in leadership, problem resolution and a higher level of engagement in the business or organization.

Your comments must be well researched, fully explored, and reasonable, within the context of the current business model of the company or organization. Remember that you are NOT trying to initiate a “palace revolt.”   Another  lesson worth paying attention to  is to connect and attach yourself to a rising star in the organization or a rising entrepreneur; somebody who is working in your space that knows more than you do, and is viewed by others as someone of significance and importance to the organization.

It is important that you find and attach yourself to someone who  knows more than you do, or has greater responsibility than you do, or is currently doing the job that you aspire to achieve. Then through the use of a great personality, personal charm, and genuineness, approach this person for help  and personal mentorship. You must also consider that your selected mentor may not have the time, experience, or desire to serve in this role at the moment, so you have to be patient and prepared for a delay in moving forward with this person.

Find others in the organization that may be appropriate mentors for you. Do not limit your search.   I will cover several more relevant and important aspects of “How To Get Promoted” within two weeks.