Setting a clear career vision is the first step toward achieving long-term success, as we explored in Part 1 of our Pursuing Career Success series. But vision alone won’t get you where you want to go. Career advancement requires action — consistent, intentional steps that build on your goals and position you for growth. Whether you’re aiming for a promotion, a new role, or simply more influence in your current organization, knowing how to navigate the journey is essential.
In this article, we’ll explore critical strategies that are essential for standing out, gaining visibility, and opening doors to new opportunities. It’s time to move from planning your career to actively steering it toward success.
Network with Purpose
As you advance, it becomes clear that the ability to create strong relationships is just as important as what you know. Building strong, genuine connections is crucial for career growth. Networking shouldn’t be viewed as a one-time event but as a continuous effort to connect with others in a meaningful way.
One of the biggest mistakes professionals make is waiting until they need something to start networking. Instead, focus on cultivating relationships with colleagues, managers, mentors, and peers across your organization and industry. Make it a habit to earn trust by delivering high-quality work and being reliable. Consistently check in with people in your network to share updates and learn about changes or challenges in their lives. Nurturing your network becomes more about maintaining relationships rather than just asking for introductions for more business.
Think of networking as building a support system. These are the people who will offer guidance, provide candid feedback, and help you navigate your career. Proactively seek out relationships with key decision-makers and ensure they know your capabilities and aspirations.
Build Your Brand
Doing great work alone won’t get you promoted. One of the biggest misconceptions in the workplace is that simply being good at your job is enough. While quality work is essential, career growth also requires making your interests and capabilities known to decision-makers and “door-openers” in your organization. Rarely does someone get discovered by doing their job quietly.
This is where building your personal brand comes into play. Ask yourself:
- Who knows about the quality of my work?
- Have I communicated my career aspirations to those who can help me achieve them?
- Am I regularly engaging with key stakeholders?
- Do I deliver consistently and in ways that makes the business better?
By establishing regular touchpoints with these individuals, you stay on their radar and create opportunities to showcase your skills. Whether through meetings, presentations, or casual conversations, make sure decision-makers understand your goals and abilities.
Define Your Work Character
In addition to being known for your skills, how you conduct yourself in the workplace is equally important. Your work character is your consistent behavior over time—it’s how you handle challenges, collaborate with others, and demonstrate your alignment with company values.
Leaders look for individuals who are not only technically proficient but also embody values such as fairness, persistence, and constructive communication. Work character is about balancing assertiveness with approachability, navigating conflict with grace, and staying resilient through difficult situations.
While Daniel Coyle’s The Culture Code discusses the “Brilliant Jerk” — someone who delivers results but disrupts team harmony — leaders value those who bring others together. Ask yourself:
- Am I seen as a collaborator?
- Can I handle difficult conversations without making them personal?
- Do I stick with tough problems until they’re resolved?
- Can I deliver feedback with compassion and build others’ capabilities?
Cultivating these traits can set you apart as someone who can be trusted with bigger responsibilities.
I once coached a leader who was often described as a “bull in a China shop” with a formidable ego. Their mindset was rooted in the belief, “I know everything, and others know nothing.” To add context, this individual possessed an extraordinary intellect and an unmatched ability to solve complex problems that left others stumped. They were persistent, often successful, but their approach left a trail of strained relationships in their wake. Many senior leaders questioned whether this individual could transition to lead a significant part of the business.
When we began our coaching journey, they were initially resistant, lacking transparency and honesty. However, as trust developed between us, they became more open and receptive to coaching. They admitted they were afraid that showing vulnerability would make them look weak or uncertain. Together, we talked about how vulnerability can actually be a strength in leadership, especially when it comes to embracing others’ ideas to foster agreement and shared ownership. Over time, they shifted from trying to prove their own smarts to highlighting the talents of their team. This change not only improved how their peers saw them but also led to the promotion they had been striving for.
Maintain a Professional Appearance
We’ve all heard the advice to dress for the job you want. This simple phrase captures a deeper truth: how you present yourself—both in appearance and in communication—can shape others’ perceptions of your readiness for new opportunities. Whether you’re in the office or joining a virtual meeting, showing up polished and prepared sends a clear signal that you take your role seriously and are capable of advancing to the next level.
There have been times when I coached leaders in an organization who had all the skills and intelligence needed to be a standout leader. Despite being one of the brightest minds on his team, he was overlooked for next level opportunities. Why? He often showed up to meetings with his shoes untied and looking like he had just rolled out of bed. This unkempt appearance conveyed a lack of attention to detail and professionalism, undermining his reputation and potential for advancement.
Appearance includes more than attire and grooming. Your communication style, both written and verbal, should reflect your aspirations. Are your emails concise and professional? Do you engage in conversations with confidence? Can you strike a balance between being too timid and too forceful?
Preparation is equally vital. Before any meeting or conversation, do your homework: anticipate questions and ensure you’re not overlooking obvious obstacles or opportunities. Being caught off guard or appearing unprepared can damage your credibility. There is a wide array of AI-powered tools available today that can help you refine your communication, ensuring that your tone is both polished and professional. Leveraging these tools can significantly influence how you are perceived and enhance the effectiveness of your messaging.
Seek and Use Feedback
While some fear it, feedback is a critical tool for growth. Embrace insights shared by managers, peers, and team members. Don’t dismiss constructive criticism because of the source. Feedback provides insight into how others perceive your actions and helps you refine your approach.
Stay open-minded, ask clarifying questions, and be willing to adjust when necessary. By viewing feedback as an opportunity rather than a judgment, you’ll continue to grow and improve your career strategy.
Seize Unexpected Opportunities
The ability to pivot when necessary is what separates those who stagnate from those who thrive. In the years since the start of the pandemic, many professionals faced this reality: roles they had been pursuing were suddenly no longer available. Advances in AI now shift the need for previously sought-after skills.
For those who stay flexible, new paths emerge. While one day a door might shut on a role you thought was “the one,” your skills might translate to a role you hadn’t considered before. Stay curious, open, and ready to adapt. Be prepared to seize unexpected opportunities that align with your vision and capabilities.
Drive Forward… with Patience and Persistence
Career growth is a long-term process. You won’t reach the pinnacle of your journey overnight. But creating a vision, setting a strategy to support it, and pursuing career heights by focusing on key areas for growth are the keys to driving toward career fulfillment and success.
