Career management – would your star shine better elsewhere?

Date: 26 Jun 2015

Citywealth

The media regularly tell tales of rainmakers and star employees and lists of excellence are popular in every industry, not just wealth management. But often employers will seek out a star hire to find a year down the line that their success didn’t follow them. Why is this and what does it mean for your career particularly if you are thinking of a move?

I was recently asked by someone in their early career who had been promoted but was hungry for the next promotion, “when should I move? Is there a strategy?‚Äù I said be careful. If you have risen quickly in your organisation, it is more than just you. The people around you are supporting your success as well as the management structure which has developed a top down culture to help you and your peers internally do well. This is not the case everywhere.

A star, I said, will only shine if the organisation they are in supports them right down to their DNA. Certain cultures and personalities of companies will have better business chemistry for you than others. Businesses are like families with their own politics and for this reason not all of those businesses will work with or for you even if the media has proclaimed you a star. Some stars disappear without trace after a job move then find it difficult to shine again.

My advice was: rather than review the job pages for magical jobs which may not work for you, why not look at where you are now. Do a bit of boss management, perhaps work out which bosses you get on with better with and work out a transfer to a different department. You could also explain your thirst for more to your boss and explain what you like about your job. Ask them to help you. Also ask for challenges and ways to prove your worth. Network with other bosses in the company and ask for their help or sponsoring. Document your bottom line impacts and look at ways to improve your business cashflow so that you can improve your chances and be that shining star, for far longer.

Ultimately also don’t be too self-serving. Make sure you have a collective plan that perhaps helps your company earn more income and your peers progress aswell. Sometime you could think about your bosses just a little. A bunch of flowers here. An interesting book or a bottle of wine perhaps. Then your star won’t have to try to shine better elsewhere.

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For more information, contact Marisa Barton at Mbarton@citywealthmag.com

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