I am starting my career in a large company and one day aspire to a management position. How can I increase my expertise and network to prepare myself for this type of role in the coming years? – Rachel

It is to your credit to pursue a specific goal! You will see, over the course of your career, that your purpose will help you stay motivated and engaged in your work. Even more, acquiring the skills and knowledge necessary for a management position takes time and preparation, so it is advisable to start thinking about it early in your career. To guide your efforts, I offer three main themes likely to help you achieve your goal.

First, promotions are usually awarded to employees who are top performers or who are considered “high potential.” To demonstrate high potential, you must maintain high performance in your current role while mastering the skills necessary for the future role. High-potential employees are people who make a difference in their team by helping their colleagues and who contribute to the success of the mandates under their responsibility. They demonstrate learning agility, great capacity for adaptation and resilience. High-potential employees also have good interpersonal skills and are committed to the success of the organization.

Then, to move up the ladder and reach a management position, your skills will need to evolve and you will need to acquire new knowledge. Plan your development by familiarizing yourself with the different career paths available within your organization and learning about the path your leaders have taken. For example, some organizations will promote a foray into finance to ensure that future leaders have a clear understanding of financial success metrics. Knowing this, you will be able to judiciously guide your assignment choices to accumulate the experience relevant to the desired role.

Contrary to what one might believe, the development required for a management position is increasingly taking place laterally. Companies look for leaders who have worked across multiple departments, sectors or business units going well beyond their initial expertise. Lateral learning takes place in positions at the same level as yours, but in different sectors of the company. Collaborating with different teams with other ways of working will allow you to broaden your field of expertise, your management talents and your knowledge of the company. You will therefore have to step outside of your role and your comfort zone by volunteering for special assignments and related tasks. These will allow you to increase your visibility with your manager as well as other teams and will really help propel your career.

Also check out the training programs offered by your employer. If the skills necessary for the management position you are seeking are not available, do not hesitate to take advantage of learning opportunities outside the organization (professional training, courses, workshops, etc.), at every stage of your career.

For a management position, it will be particularly essential for you to develop your emotional intelligence, your interpersonal skills as well as your communication skills in order to be able to inspire, motivate and engage your teams when the time comes. These skills can be learned, but are truly acquired through practice. So don’t hesitate to participate in working groups, committees or events that will allow you to exercise your skills as an inspiring leader.

Finally, by increasing your interactions with different groups, you will have an easier time building a network of contacts. Within your company, get to know your colleagues at different levels and sectors as well as your external collaborators. These people will help you expand your market knowledge and increase your business acumen. Try to surround yourself with coaches who can share their experiences and journeys with you. Your employer may offer a mentoring program that would allow you to be matched with a colleague with more experience. Outside of work, consider developing relationships among your former university classmates, within your professional order or an association. Take part in networking opportunities, attend conferences or events like the Young Chamber of Commerce of Montreal.

Career progression opportunities are an important factor in attracting and retaining talent. As a manager, you are a key player in the career development of your employees, as well as in succession planning, and this role is all the more critical in the context of a labor shortage. Career conversations become key.

In addition to the responsibilities and roles defined for the various positions in your organization, it is useful to discuss the expected contributions at different career levels. In addition to clarifying what needs to be done in the current role, you will help the employee know what can be done to acquire the next level of skills. You thus support stimulating career progression in line with the interests of the employee and the needs of the organization.

It is by adequately recognizing the current and future contribution of each person that you can have the best impact on talent management in your organization.