Taking responsibility will boost career satisfaction
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.