The path to executive leadership can vary across industries and organizations, but more and more, it’s become clear that a specific educational background is no longer a prerequisite.
According to a recent study, for years, degree requirements allowed companies to avoid clarifying in job descriptions what soft skills a candidate needed to possess. Essentially, the assumption was that someone with a college education was likely to be detail-oriented, a decent writer, and a clear communicator.
That might be true, but it’s certainly not all-encompassing. The research states that if companies continue to do away with often unnecessary education requirements, an additional 1.4 million jobs could open up for the estimated 62% of Americans who do not have a college degree.
It’s also just a better way of assessing talent.
I earned a degree in media and communication arts from Marymount Manhattan College, but my college courses didn’t get me to the C-suite. What worked? Networking with the right people and raising my hand.
College is certainly worthwhile for some, but here are things anybody can do to help them climb the corporate ladder and hopefully, land their dream job.
Master the art of communication
Effective communication—being transparent, direct, and empathetic—is a crucial skill that any leader must possess. If you’re asking your team for a request, give them visibility into the work and the reason it’s being done. Clear purpose and intent is incredibly important.
It’s also important to practice active listening, a process that involves focusing on what someone is saying, observing their body language, and reflecting on their thoughts and feelings before responding. Although some may think a leader is most effective when speaking, research has shown that the opposite is true. The more you listen, the more you will understand the world around you and the way things operate.
Get in the right rooms, no matter how awkward you feel
When I started my career, I attended every event I got invited to. There were many times when I felt uncomfortable, but I forced myself to start conversations and engage with people. Then, I became a human recorder. Wherever I went, whatever I did, I took notes, created profiles on every connection, strategized next steps, and stayed in touch.
It paid off. Ultimately, I forged a network of friends, not just professional contacts. Having a broad set of relationships has been a key component of my success. By knowing and understanding key stakeholders and your customers, you’ll been able to move faster and create value at every turn. This is applicable to anyone, in any field. Be genuine, curious, and above all, persistent.
Own your mistakes
We all fail. Not every decision I’ve made has been right, and of course, not everything in my career has gone as planned. The key is to own up to a mistake and fix it. Believe me, this is hard. It’s tough to admit you’ve failed, and even tougher not to make excuses for yourself. But try to give yourself a break. After all, failing isn’t always a bad thing. If you fail fast and learn from the experience, you’ll find opportunities for growth and better yet, cultivate a culture of experimentation within your organization.
Stay true to your core values and be gracious
Research has shown that Gen Z jobseekers are mission-driven. Companies and hiring managers should be too. Bring on talent based on your company’s core values and think critically about what perspectives are missing from within your team. Then get out of the way, and let your team members do what they do best. Micromanaging isn’t good for anybody.
Be patient, consistent—and bold
You can’t do everything at once and nothing happens overnight. Create a north star and break it down into daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly goals. This method is scientifically shown to have a positive impact on outcomes. One study showed that when people set goals, they were 33% more likely to achieve them than those who simply considered possible outcomes.
Chase big dreams and goals, but celebrate the small wins and moments of happiness too. It all adds up.
Melissa Rosenthal is chief creative officer at ClickUp.
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