Catalyst

Catalyst explains why extraordinary career growth requires the right stimuli at the right time to propel you to the next level, and shows you how to cultivate them.

As much as you don’t want to admit it, careers are unpredictable. Your progression through your chosen field isn’t a straight path, either. Even though you’d love to move smoothly up the corporate later, reality is tough. The road to success is bumpy and sometimes takes unexpected turns, for better or worse.

You may find yourself in a position to receive a promotion soon. But then your manager announces their retirement and executives eliminate the position entirely. Instead of worrying about what you can’t control, like promotions, focus on self-improvement.

Look to your experience and seek to gain as much as you can. Sometimes that may mean doing the grunt-work to put in your 10,000 hours. As your skillset expands, you’ll be better prepared to weather the storms and sunshine throughout your career.

Think of this focus on personal growth as if you were a baseball batter. If you concentrate too hard only on winning, you’ll likely grow nervous and miss each swing of the bat. Conversely, aiming only to hit every ball pitched to you gives you a much better chance to win the game.

Jim Rohn’s “you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with” quote certainly applies to your work also. You learn nearly everything along your career path from someone else. Usually, those who influence you the most are your superiors. This is why it’s crucial to choose the right bosses who are mentors instead of managers. Pay close attention for the two different kinds of leaders you will encounter. The first type is results-driven. These people focus more on numbers. They will give you plenty of reminders and checks on your progress to make sure you’re hitting the mark. Often, these types of bosses have to control all that you do. The other kind of leader is also committed to results, but also to your personal growth. This focus on your improvement is what sets mentors apart from managers. They will invite you to consider the answers to your own questions. Mentors foster an environment of trust and learning by helping you push your own limits. It may seem easy to seek out a job that looks appealing and hope that the right bosses are there. Rather than just going with the flow and hoping for the best, seek out mentors by looking for the signs of them. Companies that hire the most talented people and keep them there are a good sign of positive leadership. What’s easier is to find someone…