Having had the opportunity to work with and coach executives and leaders at some of the largest brands in the world, I am often asked “How do you think people become top CEOs?”
Most people mistakenly assume that CEOs and executive leaders climb the career ladder one step at time, going from junior management to middle management to upper management, building their skills along the way.
However, it is not that simple in the real world.
Most successful CEO’s and executives that i know, got to the top with a bit of lateral career maneuvering. They did not slowly climb a single ladder – they often hopped between multiple ladders – and each step was not always higher than the last.
So if you are working in a junior management position, say a HR position, moving to a junior management position in marketing or sales or finance, might be more valuable than aiming for a middle management position in the same department.
Why?
Because exploring different fields and departments can often give you a broader range of skills and experience than you would have gotten staying in the same department.
And a range of skills and experience in your field or company is what will make you stand out when you are looking for a top executive job.
One thing to remember is that jumping between career ladders, is not only about exploring different departments. It is also about working with a variety of organisations. You might think that moving from a big corporate company to a startup would be a downgrade, but such a move could actually provide you with a lot of new learning opportunities.
Sure you might earn less, but it might be better for your career in the long term.
I started and grew two multi-million dollar companies, but then i felt that i did not have enough experience building , growing and leading a $100 million dollar + company, so i left the business that i helped found and went and took a $1000 a month position working for a $10 Billion Dollar multi-national retailer.
People thought that i was crazy, giving up and leaving this successful business that i had helped grow – but in many ways it was the best career decision that i could have taken.
I learned a ton about systems, and processes , and what it takes to run a $10 Billion Dollar company. I eventually ended up as a HR leader for them , before becoming a HR leader for 16 country multi-national retailer.
When i did return to the family business 7 years later, i had acquired a whole host of new skills and experiences that i would never have had, had i not made this career move.
The progression of your career still has to make sense, however. You should still be able to explain it in a coherent narrative. If you can’t, people won’t be sure if the experience you’ve acquired is actually valuable.
So don’t fall into the trap of staying on just one path. Explore different areas and build a range of skills; but make sure that the experiences you’re acquiring are relevant to your overall career.