Taking responsibility will boost career satisfaction
Pri Notowidigdo, The Amrop Hever Group Global Executive Search, (e-mail: jakarta@amrophever.com)
Are you satisfied with your career? Has your career been stable so far, or perhaps even too stable? Have you been with one organization for a long time and are feeling bored and unchallenged in your job? Do you feel that you're not learning anything new?
Even if you've answered yes to only one question, it's definitely worthwhile to step back and take a look at where you are now. What are the available options to continue to grow professionally? What kind of change should you undertake?
Remember also that if you yourself don't stop to think about your situation, somebody else may make that decision for you. Taking responsibility for what you want in your career, and in your life for that matter, will increase the satisfaction and sense of success work can offer you.
Begin with where you are and what you have. Doing something drastic like suddenly quitting your job is not the only solution to a difficult or unpleasant work situation. Nor is it practical given the responsibilities and commitments you may have to your family and loved ones.
Three strategic moves to consider are the following: 1. Strengthening your current position. This means doing more and taking on new and different challenges. It will help you to find benefits in a work situation that is not working out too well for you. The greatest benefit is often intrinsic in terms of morale boosting and confidence building. At the end, you will likely achieve a big sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.
You will also gain depth of experience and build your portfolio of skills. This will enhance your suitability for future jobs within or outside of your "comfort zone." 2. Going up the corporate ladder. Another strategy is the old model of working your way through the ranks of an organization to its upper management level. This implies advancing methodically within your organization until you get to the top.
It can still work but organizations are typically eliminating ladders and levels now, not adding to them. Also, many organizations are realizing that often their most talented employees can add the greatest value as individual contributors, not top managers.
The benefits of reaching the top of the organization comes in the form of status, prestige, power, financial reward and influence. The journey to the top, however, is not easy and has trade-offs with your personal and family life. 3. Moving on. Ending your employment with a particular organization and directing your career to another work situation may very well be the only viable career alternative. You will be making a clean break and a fresh start.
Moving on is the career move you make only when no others are feasible. Career vitality requires change and movement. A key to managing your career effectively is to initiate change before change comes to you.