Focus on the Right Targets
If you want to get on the fast track to career promotion, you have to look for opportunities to shine and make a difference. Avoid focusing on opportunities to shine that are not relevant to the organization. Your goal should be to align whatever you do to the company goals and solve a problem. If you don’t know if you are aligned, start by reading the company’s annual report. You are bound to find a few company strategic initiatives that are listed there. Use this knowledge to have a meaningful discussion with your manager. Confirm your findings and discuss how you can better help the company succeed with any of the initiatives.
Be Transparent About What You Want
Don’t assume your manager knows what you want to do with your career future. Let your manager know that you want to take your role to the next level. Suggest ways that you believe that can be accomplished. Ask for their input on what next level success looks like for your role. Agree on next steps on how you can get there.
Stay Connected
You never want to be disconnected in terms of knowledge and the inner dynamics of an organization. Connect with colleagues across functions and in different levels of the organization. Take the time to invite someone for a cup of tea, chat for a moment at someone’s cube, and be consistent with maintaining that relationship. Who you know can give you the extra leverage, information, or exposure you need to get to where you need to be.