You must have come across and read a lot of articles and insights on how to develop Leadership skills for your career, or how to develop the leader within you to skyrocket your career trajectory. But today what you are going to read is something different, a different perspective and take on how influential the leader (that you have in your professional world) is to help you build your own career. After finishing the read, you will come to realize what the following statements really mean - "Employees don't leave the organization, they leave bosses" , "In effect, you don't switch companies, you switch bosses" , "Your mentor/leader will help you grow professionally- whether in this company or the other".
So let's begin.
Leaders/Managers who value you give you credit
In case you are a professional with a considerable career history, then you would know exactly what it means. Unless your manager sees you as an important asset in his/her team, it's very difficult to get yourself recognized in the larger scheme of things meaning in the Sub-unit/Department/Vertical/Organization, no matter how much effort and/or outcome you deliver. Very few people in the work industry could manage themselves to be in the limelight of the organization without the due support and intervention of their managers.
What you do matters when it comes from the Top
Being involved in projects/activities that matter the most in the organization/department has a lot to do with how your manager would delegate work areas/responsibilities within his/her team. If you are the chosen one, you would get to work on the things that catch the attention of the "eyes" that matter the most in your growth and recognition. Some might argue that one can create value on their own provided they exhibit a fruitful outcome. But my friend, it's easier said than done. And only few can achieve it in real sense that way, with some equation of luck too playing a role. Else, for most, the building of the career path is definitely in the hands of the managers. I prefer to call them leaders who would have a vision for someone (or for all) within their team.
Leaders take you all along
It may not be a written rule but in practice when Seniors in an organization switch organizations, they (poach) take along their mentees, sooner or later. Of course, there is a trust factor and a comfort level that plays the pivotal role in such outcomes. The result- you switch too, and more often than not, for a better role, profile and of course salary/package. That's how leaders eventually help you advance in your careers, not just within the organization, but beyond too!
Careers are co-developed with a leader
Career development is a joint effort. While the leaders want their employees to drive it, they still need to provide the environment that doesn’t just encourage and support it, but also creates agreements around it. What’s more, they may need to help their mentees learn how to drive their development. It takes time and effort to collaborate on their trajectory and provide this guidance, but the investment in their skills makes them more valuable and more loyal—factors that ultimately benefit the both.
You benefit under the shelter of a visionary leader/manager
When your manager is truly your mentee and if he/she is a visionary, then trust me it's the mentee who definitely benefits, but of course after the necessary inputs i.e hard work. But probably, that's what every employee is expected to be putting in, right? It's like a chemical equation- For many the hard work in the equation may not result in desired outcome, but when the same is coupled with the positive catalyst of a visionary leader, the outcomes let you shine and rise and nothing less.
So, isn't it obvious that one of the ingredients for a successful career is a visionary leader/mentor?
Pls put your thoughts in the comments below! Would love to know your side of the story.
