Written by: Sara Sheehan, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
As a leader, you can advance your career by setting brilliant goals in 2023. When an organization sees you as a potential candidate for promotion, you will typically have a set period of time to prepare and demonstrate your readiness for the new role. During this time, taking action and creating a list of initiatives and goals you hope to achieve in your next position is essential.
When an organization identifies you as a leader they want to promote, there is a general timeline for the transition. Ideally, you will have at least six months to a year from being identified until the promotion takes effect. This period allows you to prepare, plan, and take action to be ready for the career level which you are pursuing.
Take Action by Setting Goals
Taking action by setting goals is crucial in advancing your career as a leader. Setting goals involves identifying the initiatives and objectives you want to achieve in your next position and creating a plan. By setting clear, measurable goals, you can focus your efforts and track your progress toward achieving your objectives.
It is critical to take action during the interim period; taking action creates an excellent case for the next ample opportunity. During this period, one of your top priorities is to develop goals or the platform of initiatives you would like to implement in the next position.
As you create your list, it is good to have short-term and long-term goals to deliver real long-term results. Three to five goals are enough to show impact and results. Be focused, as your results will mirror your focus. Your goals must have a mutual agreement to provide value to the business.
Your Passion Leads to Success
Choosing goals that align with your passions can be crucial to your success. When you are passionate about your work, you are more likely to put in the extra effort needed to achieve your goals. Additionally, your passion can be contagious and help to inspire and motivate others to support your efforts.
When creating goals, a few criteria make a big difference in your follow-through. One of the most important rules of thumb is to set goals you are passionate about. Not only will you be more likely to put effort toward achievement, but you will also have more significant influence when recruiting others to support your work. Your efforts and a strong team of supporters will increase your likelihood of success.
Reign It In
It is essential to be concise and focused when setting goals. Eliminating unnecessary words and being as specific as possible can make your goals more achievable and accessible for others to understand and support.
Make sure your goals are concise and brief. Your written goals are not a time to be verbose. Eliminate unnecessary words. Reading a straightforward goal makes it easier for our brain to visualize achieving it. That doesn't mean you should choose an easily attainable goal. Stretch goals can be brief and impactful.
Use Key Performance Indicators
Setting key performance indicators (KPIs) for your goals can help to make them more measurable and trackable. By defining clear targets for success, you can plan for and manage your efforts effectively and track your progress toward achieving your goals.
Another criterion for success is crafting measurable goals. These will help you plan your efforts leading up to the achievement or completion of the goal. It may take some extra time, but you are setting your goals for fruition.
Make the Most of Time
Making the most of your time is critical in advancing your career as a leader. Maximizing your time might involve taking on new challenges and responsibilities, seeking additional training or education, or networking with other professionals in your field. By staying current and expanding your knowledge and expertise, you will be well-positioned to take on new opportunities as they arise and continue to advance in your career.
In large companies, many leadership roles have a 24 – 36 month tenure without being overtly prescriptive that the role is time-based. It's an expectation that leaders need to move into new opportunities to expand their experience and develop more skills. Organizational development in a corporate environment generally requires that key leaders have new opportunities as a strategy to retain talent. Maybe you have a little time before your next promotion. Don't wait until the last minute to show you are ready for a new challenge. Start taking action now to prepare, plan, and act.
If you are an executive interested in moving your career forward or are actively working on a promotion plan, please connect with me to learn more about how I can help with your preparation or transition in the new year.
Sara Sheehan, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Sara Sheehan, PCC, is a consultant and Executive Coach who works with C-Level executive leaders designing organizations, developing business strategies, managing change, optimizing talent and leadership development, and solving complex human performance problems. Through executive coaching, Sara helps leaders sprint their way up the corporate ladder and increase their performance.
