Tammy Erickson Associates Building Intelligent Organizations

Q&A: Stuck in Middle Management

Dear Tammy,

I am 42 year old HR manager working for Telecom company in India. Last 3-4 years I am stuck in middle management level, and unable to reach top management. I went through 360 degree feedback of myself- my strengths are coming up with ideas and implementing them. I have won awards too. My weakness is lack of visibility, doing too much of back-end work. I tried to improve visibility by keeping CEO, CFOs informed about what I am doing, but when it comes to promotion, it always goes to older guys, because they “look” more mature.

-Raj

Hi Raj,

Congratulations on the strengths you’ve demonstrated – and the fact that they have been recognized through a number of awards.

I suspect the issue you’re struggling with may have less to do with your physical appearance of youth, than with people’s perceptions of the strengths you have to offer. Ironically, often what makes you successful at one stage in your career is not what people are looking for in individuals who move to the next level. So, by communicating your successes more broadly, you may be reinforcing people’s perceptions that you are well-suited to your current role.

In general, we go through three types of responsibilities as we move up the hierarchy: from a focus on content – that is, on the nature of the work itself, to process – managing and coordinating various elements of a project, to context – creating environments in which others can succeed. If you are perceived as someone who is excellent in doing the work itself and/or in managing projects, you are setting yourself up for awards – and for remaining in the same role for many years. To move into top management, you need to impress people that you have the skills associated with context – that is, with helping others succeed. Talk about how you’re creating engagement within your team, how you’re mentoring others, ideas you have to make the overall workplace more productive, and so.

Best wishes for success!

Tammy

Q&A: Finding Work that Is Financially and Emotionally Attractive

Hi Tammy,

Let me congratulate you for your excellent posts on Harvard. In fact, one post titled “When to Keep Your Mouth Shut” compelled me to read all of your articles that you have posted.

Further, the curiosity in me took me further to know more about you and your work in detail and found your site and here am writing a mail to you.

Tammy, i feel i’m a fix right now. For close to 6 years, I have been working as a Transcriptionist here in India and in the in between years of my six year tenure, i happened to learn and work as an Online Brand Manager (SEO/SEM/PPC) with a firm. Due to a major difference with my manager I quit that job and took up the same old Transcriptionist job.

Right now, i feel and i think that i would excel more (Financially/Emotionally) in Online space than in Transcription space….Could you please help me as to what should be the right thing to do now?

Thanks in advance.

Regards,

Shesgiri

Dear Shesgiri,

How lucky you are to have a good sense of the type of work that you find fulfilling. I’m such a strong believer in the importance of finding your “Life Lure”—the work that will engage you.

Now you need to find that work. I encourage you to begin an active process to find another opportunity to work as an Online Brand Manager.

Good luck and best wishes,

Tammy

Filed under: Career Strategies | Published: 01/15/11

Q&A: When the Economy Stalls the Progress You Were Promised

Dear Tammy,

I am at a crossroads in my career. In my early 30s, I have been a process engineer for the past 4 years and in my current role for almost 3. I have been able to stand out among my peers to the point that I have placed on myself a relatively strict 3 yrs “up or out” goal. After a little over 2 years at my current firm, I was approached for a promotion package with relocation and selection into a competitive leadership development program.

Then between the economic crisis and some major reorganization going on within the company…nothing. I had to call and call and call and found out that all relocations and positions were frozen. Now, I find myself in a new group with a new boss starting, it appears, from scratch.

The company has been nothing but good to me but I don’t see a clear “next step” in my career or at least it will take me starting over to get to where I was just a few months ago.

Recruiters have contacted me, I have gone on a few interviews to keep my options open and even in this economy a couple offers have come forth, but again, I really like this company and would like to stay. Also, is it too risky to start somewhere new if I have something relatively ‘stable’ right now?

Please offer some advice…Thank you very much.

Greg

Dear Greg,

Unfortunately, I think the severity of the economic downturn caught everyone off-guard. I suspect the reason you had so much trouble finding out what was happening to your promised development opportunities was that no one really knew. The folks running the program were probably almost as disappointed as you, to find that their budgets were being frozen—and undoubtedly embarrassed to have to back-track on the things you’d been promised.

I think you’re being prudent to keep in touch with the external market—while, of course, working to succeed in your new role.

It’s very difficult to predict what will happen in your firm. On one hand, as business rebounds, I’d like to think that you’d be at the top of everyone’s list to get back onto the fast track. Unfortunately, corporate realities often don’t work that way. It’s entirely possible—in fact, from my experience, likely—that the game will be reset. In other words, when the leadership development program begins again (and I do think it will in some form), the selection of the participants will start with a clean slate, looking at those who have excelled during the recession. It’s essential that you continue to excel at your current company—and, it’s wise to keep your eyes open externally, as well.

Best wishes for continued success,

Tammy

Filed under: Career Strategies | Published: 01/15/11

Q&A: Perceptions of a Gap Year

Hello Tammy.

I recently stumbled upon your article regarding gap years in the midst of research for my career development seminar. I am taking time off after I graduate college in May and going to the Middle East where I will volunteer and afterward travel towards Asia. I am most likely going to apply to law school upon my return unless I experience a change of heart while away. I have heard mixed reviews regarding how graduate schools and companies view gap years. Some say that they are beneficial to a potential employee or student and others, I’ve heard, see a gap year as a lack of focus and dedication. What do you think is the more popular belief these days, especially during such rough economic times?

Daniel

Hi Daniel,

I’m believe most graduate schools and companies see gap years as excellent ways to gain additional perspective and experience—and encourage them.

Enjoy your travels—and many wishes for future success.

Tammy

Filed under: Career Strategies | Published: 01/15/11

Q&A: External Mentoring Options for Boomers

As Baby Boomers start to leave the workforce by their own choice or maybe not, what advice would you give somebody who wants to start a mentoring program external to a company? I see the effectiveness of networking but could see the next logical step being sharing knowledge and experience. Valuable business knowledge is out there. What’s the best way to tap into it?

Jeff

Hi Jeff—

Are you looking to tap into a mentoring program or start one to benefit others?

In either case, I think the key is to think in terms of mechanisms to share knowledge and experience, as you note. If you’re looking to tap into such a network, join any professional organizations that may be relevant to your interests—professional societies, alumni organizations, community based business groups and so on, can all provide valuable contacts and put you in touch with individuals with the type of knowledge and experience you’ll need to pursue your next phase goals. Over time, some of these relationships may turn into more traditional “mentoring” relationships, but, even if they don’t, you’ll have a rich network of contacts.

If your goal is to start a mentoring program, think in terms of creating a forum or network that will attract people with shared interests.

I hope this helps.

All the best,

Tammy

Filed under: Career Strategies | Published: 01/15/11

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