People who succeed have momentum. The more they succeed, the more they want to succeed, and the more they find a way to succeed. Similarly, when someone is failing, the tendency is to get on a downward spiral that can even become a self-fulfilling prophecy. – Tony Robbins

Once you have gained your university diploma, your next immediate concern is finding an interesting professional challenge or, in some cases, to start your own business. Because the world has become so "flat" and competitive, once you have found your dream job, you must settle in quickly and create ongoing career progress as of day one.

So, why do some professionals advance faster in their careers than others?

The answer is simple, willingness, perseverance, and the right mindset to perform well. I have hired many top professionals worldwide during my career as a company executive and while building my own business. Nowadays, I coach graduates in career and business development. In this article, I want to share some of the insights I have gained while climbing my ladder.

“The best teachers are those who tell you where to look – but don’t tell you what to see.” - Alexandra Trenfor

1). Never stop learning

When I graduated and started my first job in a top firm, I realized that professional life is very different from anything that the university education had thrown at me.  Great employers are obviously aware of this.  They know that fresh college graduates need further on the job training. Managers like to see from their new hires that they are curious about the challenges presented to them, pay attention, are willing to learn, and are coachable for taking on new responsibilities.

2). Communicate, communicate, and communicate

Good communication is key to building relationships with your colleagues and boss. Managers like a pro-active attitude from the people working in their team. When there is an unfixable problem, don't chew on it, communicate. When something is unclear, ask pointed questions. When you observe something worthwhile, let your boss know. Better even, if your observation comes with a potential solution. Be a solution provider; they are considered gold in any organization. When you have time, crack a joke at the water fountain or coffee machine. You will quickly build rapport and trust through efficient and effective communication.

3). Be empathetic

Empathy is the ability to put yourself in someone else's shoes and understand and share another's feelings. It is probably also one of the best tools to create healthy and trusting relationships with the organization's internal and external clients. You can read more about the power of empathy in the following article: https://www.renesonneveld.com/post/growing-your-business-through-empathy

4. Anticipate

Putting yourself in your boss's shoes will also help you to anticipate any needs your boss may have. Ask yourself, "if I would be the boss, what would I like to be done next". You score big bonus points by doing something before your boss asks you to do so.

5. Become an enterpriser

In today's fast-changing, high-octane environment, employers are looking for individuals who take the initiative, bring fresh ideas to the table, start new projects, pitch new solutions, and create new business opportunities. Become an enterpriser in your organization.

6. Consistently deliver

Executives like nothing more from their people than that they (over-) deliver what they were asked to do. Never, ever overpromise and underdeliver! Nothing rubs more against the hair of an employer. Always keep deadlines, even if you have to make an overnighter or work through the weekend. If an executive realizes that you are consistently delivering, you will become one of his trusted persons. He will give you more responsibilities and which will eventually result in faster career advancement.

7. Look for a good mentor

There is nothing more beneficial for career enhancement than being mentored by a powerful executive. Very often, protégés "get propelled upwards” in the slipstream of their mentor’s advancement in the organization. I have had some great mentors that helped me on my career path and have also observed other protégés rising rapidly through the organizational ranks thanks to influential mentors.

8. Network

It's the connections, stupid!! You may like it or not, but you will realize that building a strong network within your organization will be hugely important to enhance your career. When there are two equal candidates, the one with the best connections will get the promotion, guaranteed.  Take time for networking and make it a part of your daily schedule.

9. Ask for feedback and be prepared to give feedback

It is fundamental to ask for feedback from your peers and boss. People are often hesitant to do so as they are afraid to receive "bad news". However, it is highly relevant for you to have situational awareness about how you are being perceived, what you are doing well, and what are points for improvement. When I started my career, I received an evaluation once a year. In the volatile modern environment, this is by far not enough. Be bold and ask your boss for feedback at least once every three months. It doesn’t always have to be in a formal setting. You can do this when the opportunity arises in an ad hoc meeting. The observations from your boss will help you to grow professionally. Also, always be prepared to give feedback if your boss asks you. I can write an entire chapter on the art of providing feedback. For the time being, remember that the feedback should always be specific and constructive. It can have both positive and negative reflections but should never be delivered in the form of criticism. I like to use the term "point for improvement”.

10. Dress well

Sounds obvious? I used to work in a large company where it was custom to check into the office on Saturday mornings. Our business attire was informal, as we would have no client meetings that day. One of my colleagues, the newly appointed CFO of the company, took this a bit too far. He arrived in cargo pants and a sleeveless t-shirt on his roller-skate to the office. This would not have caused a problem had he not almost ran into the car of the company's eighty-year-old patriarch and Chairman of the Board. The patriarch had never met the CFO before, and when he asked his son, the CEO of the company, who this strange fellow was, he almost got a heart attack when he understood that this is the new CFO managing the company's finances. It took the CEO some time to calm down his father and not fire the CFO on the spot. So be aware of the company's dress code. The way you dress is crucial with clients and bosses (and patriarchs) and could make or break your chances of getting a promotion.

Remember, acting as if you are 'working hard' or 'staying busy' is not the purpose of your presence in a company. The only thing your employer is interested to know is if and how you're contributing to fulfilling the company's short and long-term goals.  You receive a salary to deliver on the goals that impact its performance and overall mission. Willingness, perseverance, and the right mindset to perform will help you achieve career success no matter the stage of your career.

Take these insights to heart. They are pearls of wisdom from an old fox.

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