More than you can chew!
ABC ENTERPRISES has short-listed a few of their employees for promotion to the managerial level. Ram, Reema and Ashok know that they are in the race. Ram dreads the very idea of promotion because it would mean additional work and possibly a transfer to another city; which would drag him out of his comfort zone.
Reema is happy for it would fulfil her long-cherished ambition of becoming a manager. But, Ashok sees it as a golden opportunity to showcase his talents and as a chance to take up additional responsibility, which would broaden the scope of his work and help him move up the corporate ladder.
From the above illustration it is clear that there are generally three ways in which people respond to greater responsibility; some try their best to avoid it, some allow it to be thrust on them and some aggressively seek out responsibilities. It is quite obvious that only the third kind of persons can make great advances in their career.
Each of the attitudes to responsibility outlined above will have its own impact on one's career graph in a company. If you are one of those that avoid responsibility like plague, then be prepared for a mediocre, static career. Or, if you accept responsibility when it is thrust on you, then you are one among the many who accept what is given; believing it is enough to satisfy their ambition. But, to aggressively seek out responsibility is a sure-shot way to get ahead in your career.
But, being a go-getter does not mean grabbing every opportunity that comes your way. You must be able to decide how much of responsibility you can handle and how well you can accomplish the task.
A wise piece if career advice would be to know your limitations and promise to do only what you can accomplish and deliver what you have promised. Your career is sure to go places if you are eager to take up responsibilities; but be careful not to let your enthusiasm go to such lengths that you soon find yourself overloaded with work. The ground rule is: do not bite off more than you can chew.
On the flip side, your overt eagerness to assume responsibilities may make your manager pile you with tasks without taking into account your workload. He will expect you to do a good job, which you have already shown you can. But, if you falter, then he will not hesitate to show his disappointment.
The lesson here is, be very careful, be aware of your limitations and more importantly learn when to say `no'; instead of taking more and carrying out a less-than-perfect job. In other words, accept all the responsibility you can handle; but once you accept any task, you should make it a point to successfully execute the same.
Before you decide to apply this judicious method of accepting responsibility for a successful career, ask yourself whether you look forward to the challenge of taking up additional tasks and widening your work horizon.
More importantly, do you have the drive to fulfil them? The answer will determine your career growth.
HEMA GOPALAKRISHNAN
faqs@cnkonline.com
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