4 Ways to Show You’re Ready to Become a Manager

In many companies the path to the executive suite leads through a management job, and even if you don’t aspire to become a CEO, moving into a management role can be a great career move, leading to additional opportunities along the way.

If you’re interested in making the leap from regular employee to supervisor or manager consider the following steps to show you’re ready for the move.

Excel in your current work. There is no point in aspiring to a promotion to management if you’re not doing a great job in your current position. It can be easy to rationalize and make excuses: I’d be excellent at my work if only I could get promoted to manager. This position doesn’t suit my strengths. That may be true but you will not get an opportunity to demonstrate leadership skills without first demonstrating excellence along the way, even while performing the most insignificant of tasks. If you wish to become a manager commit yourself to excellence today. 

Oversee a cross-functional team. A good way to demonstrate effective leadership and management skills is to take the initiative and offer to lead a cross-functional team or project. This will provide you with good practice in management, dealing with a diverse range of personalities, and collaborating to see a project through to its conclusion.

Demonstrate good communication skills. Good managers are good at communicating and in order to move into a management position you need to learn how to communicate clearly and effectively: in person, over the phone, and by email. Good communicators are good at listening and really hearing what others say, in order to support them well. You will never be ready more management (or be a good manager) if you haven’t mastered the art of communication and active listening.

Practice serving others. The best leaders and managers are not in it to make a name for themselves or to bring attention to their own efforts. They seek to build up others around them, to develop the strengths of the members of their team, and to support their staff to meet the goals of the team. The best managers are focused on others and look to lead by serving them.

Turn your attention to these areas and your company might just tap you for the next management position that comes available.

Four Ways to Enjoy Your Job Today

Many of us experience days when we are not motivated to go to work and we find ourselves disinterested in the job. It is at those times that we need to remind ourselves of the purpose behind our work and reconnect with our goals.

Below are four ways to approach your job today to help you gain a greater sense of satisfaction.

Strive to do excellent work. It can be easy to float through the day just getting by with “good enough” but it’s difficult to feel passionate about our work when we’re stuck in mediocrity. Whatever tasks you have on hand today challenge yourself to excellence. Take the initiative and strive to do your best, whether it’s cleaning a window to perfection, delivering a stunning presentation at a meeting, or preparing a sandwich at a fast food restaurant. You can improve the quality of the tasks and responsibilities you perform, and take pride in doing excellent work.

Find meaning in your work. In most jobs you can find some meaning in the work that increases your motivation and enjoyment of the work. If you are cleaning bathrooms you can find satisfaction in knowing that you are supporting the health of others by keeping this space clean and hygienic. A cook in a restaurant provides the food that energizes and fuels his customers. Think beyond your tasks and responsibilities today and focus on those who benefit from your work.  

Commit to serve. Look out for opportunities to help and assist others today. Instead of simply focusing on yourself and what you need to accomplish take a look around you. If someone on your team is struggling to complete a task or seems to be overwhelmed offer to help. If you work with the public or have regular contact with customers make a point of asking yourself, “how can I best serve those I come in contact with today?” You’ll likely find that by helping others you’ll experience a greater sense of well-being at work.

Connect with your colleagues. Find some time to interact with your co-workers, to share a laugh, a smile, and to offer some support. Your job will be much more enjoyable if you share the load with others and develop meaningful and supportive relationships with those you work with. 

High Five Weekly Career Transitions Roundup

This is our weekly roundup of some of the best career-related articles, interviews, blogs, etc., we've read during the week. We share these every weekend so you have some great resources to prepare you for the coming week. Enjoy!


1. Why I Like People with Unconventional Resumes
"Disruptive moves can also tell you a lot about potential because they show a candidate's curiosity, insight, inspiration and determination, which in turn indicate a search for learning and challenge."


2. How Hard Are You Willing to Push Yourself?
"The unavoidable truth is that the willingness to endure discomfort and sacrifice instant gratification is the only way to get better at anything, and to achieve true excellence."


3. 8 Reasons You're Not Earning the Salary You Want
"Ultimately, if you don't like your salary, talk to your boss about what you would need to accomplish to earn a raise."

4. Why Women's Networking Groups Fail
"Where too many focus on the strength of numbers, the real sign of a healthy—and helpful—professional networking group is who’s there and how they communicate."


5. 3 Reasons Your Resume Brands You As A Commodity
"So, how did we end up branding ourselves as sheep…describing ourselves just like everyone else?We’ve been taught to describe ourselves this way…and it’s been reinforced so often that it just seems
'right'."