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Ask the Business Coach Is it Time to Move On?Question: I've hit a career ceiling. I'm a director at a telecom company and haven't received any type of promotion in two years. I'm constantly told I'm a great asset to the company, but I don't think I'll be promoted unless my boss leaves (which I don't think will happen any time soon). Is it time to move on?Marsha Answer: While some industry experts think the days of indefinitely staying with a company and moving up through the ranks are long gone, there are a number of things you'll want to assess before deciding to leave your current situation. Begin by clearly determining the pros and cons of your job and company. If the pros outweigh, you'll want to consider how you might be able to get what you want rather than leave. Take notice of what's going on around you. Establish that your promotions have actually stopped because of the company's structure - not your own limitations. Make an honest assessment of your status and value to the company. Analyze the work you have been doing. If it is exemplary and exceeds the company's expectations, you can proceed confidently under the assumption that they will want to protect your place in the organization. Consider having a frank discussion with your supervisor about your situation keeping it professional and conversational. Open by making it clear that you enjoy working for the company. Cite some examples of good work you have done, how you might have positively affected the bottom line. Then ask for advice on what you can do to advance or become a greater asset to the company. Broach the subject of any challenging projects or the possibility of a new position developing in the near future that would be open to you. Reiterate what's in it for the company to keep you satisfied on the job. If the reception to this kind of a discussion is evasive or decidedly cool, ask outright if you have disappointed the company in some way. If the answer is 'yes,' then ask how you can improve your job performance to meet the standards of the company. If the answer is 'no,' inquire candidly about the company's position regarding your desire to move up. The problem may be that you've been pigeonholed in your current job and no matter what skills you add, no matter what contributions you make, you will be held back. You may find the problem to be that your boss does not want to lose you from your current job or that your supervisor simply does not know how to develop the job for you. Try getting around the pigeonhole problem by suggesting a shift in responsibilities, a demonstration project, special assignment or initiative that will allow you exhibit further skills. If that works and you are able to show the benefits to the company, you may have solved your problem. Otherwise, even if your boss can not or will not provide this kind of opportunity, be sure to leave any such meeting in a non-threatening manner giving yourself sufficient time to think things through before announcing any intentions. If you haven't heard anything promising about new responsibilities, promotions or advancements in the organization, it's probably time to update your resume and carefully plan your exit strategy. Begin to discreetly network and get your resume into the hands of good headhunters and referring colleagues. Talk to everyone you know, confidentially, letting them know you are seeking a new position. Remember networking is one of the best ways to find and secure a new position. Your career development is your own responsibility; so if you decide to leave even after having determined it was not your first choice, make every effort to embrace the opportunity for growth and change. Keep in mind that you did an excellent job but simply ran out of room to grow. Go after that next position making sure that any new company you consider will fully support your career development, providing opportunities for growth and development well into the future.
Also see: Disclaimer: The information in this column is intended to provide the reader with general ideas or concepts to be used as part of a broader base of knowledge they collect to determine their own best course of action and solutions most suitable for solving their workplace challenges. The information in this column is not guaranteed to be the appropriate solution for each individual.
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Joyce K. Reynolds is an expert Business Coach who works with CEOs, Sr. Execs, entrepreneurs and countless others providing knowledge, solutions, motivation and support that assist her clientele in successfully meeting workplace challenges.