I am writing this to encourage you to build more risk into your career path. If you play it safe in your role, you may collect the weekly paycheck, and no one will bother you. If you expect others to reward you for just doing your daily job, you got it wrong. Those who actively pursue greater responsibility and higher compensation, have a better chance to receive it. Those who wait for the boss to recognize their hard work will often be disappointed. You must actively ask for more responsibility and more compensation. No one else will do it for you.
Sometimes the risk you take doesn’t work out the way you hoped, but that is the nature of risk. But I want you to continue to evaluate risk and not to play it safe. Throughout my Army career, I planned a career path to provide the best chance at advancement and greater responsibility. Often, I was too quick to be a team player to take projects and assignments that others may not have wanted. My thinking was that I will do this assignment and they will take care of me when the time is ready. Don’t assume that your boss and the company will take care of you because you took on a task no one wanted. Keep asking and pressing for what you want to accomplish.
The Finance Leader Podcast Episode on Taking Risk in Your Career
“Security is mostly a superstition. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.” — Helen Keller
I want you to be fierce, but professional in your career planning and act when the opportunity arises. Analyze the long-term risk of working a project or accepting a new role. Choose roles and projects that can get the attention of senior leadership.
Never fear vocalizing what you want or training and experience you need. Keep in mind that when you make professional demands, you also must over deliver to the company. Give back way more than you receive.
Guide to taking more risk
Know what you are worth
- People often underestimate the real value they provide.
- The company wants to get the most out of you at the lowest cost. It’s nothing personal, it’s business. But you must be confident in knowing what you deliver to the organization. Know the market for your skills and experience. Deliver what is lacking.
- Pay attention to words describing your role and your contribution. Even though I believe that everyone can be replaced, you may matter more than you believe to the organization.
- Your level of self confidence determines how you see yourself and how you see what your contribution does to the team. This determines what you think you are worth to the team. Don’t settle too quickly.
Develop courage
- Find the inner strength to move forward and to get what you want in your career and your life.
- What is holding you back? What is preventing you from accomplishing your goals?
- Get out of your comfort zone and do uncomfortable work so you can grow.
Communicate clearly what you want
- Write down actionable goals with a timeline.
- I want you to share your goals, because I believe there will be people in your organization who will want to help you.
- Insist on the training you need. Develop an individual development plan that addresses your goals and what training and experience that is needed to achieve them. Keep asking for the resources. Even after the fifth “No”, you ask again.
Be professional, not combative
- Be the positive force on the team. Never let your supervisor doubt your professionalism and commitment to the team.
- Give way more than you get. Over deliver in your role so you make it easy for your supervisor to agree to giving you resources to develop.
Be willing to change companies and industries
- If you are not moving forward in your present role, finding a role with a different company might be a risk worth taking
- A change in setting may be the best opportunity for new experience and a better chance of advancement.
- A smart strategy sometimes is to take on a bigger role at a smaller company, so you can advance. It will not matter if it is a small company; only the impact you had will matter in the long run.
“If you risk nothing, then you risk everything.” — Geena Davis
I was not afraid of taking risk with a few assignments. Sometimes it provided a great payoff, but sometimes I had to change my path because the result I wanted didn’t happen. That’s ok too. I believe that settling or being complacent in your career is no way to live. Others who take risk will get the reward you could be receiving. Overcome the fear of what could happen negatively and go forward with a plan to achieve what you really want. Don’t be afraid of rejection.
Critical Skills, Actions and Leadership Expertise Guide for Career Advancement Above Manager
How will you take more risk in your career to accomplish your goals?
Please comment or email me at comment@stephenmclain.com.
Copyright 2020 – Stephen McLain
