Propeo Executive Search

If you are to progress your career, you must prove your worth in an unending race against increasingly stiff competition.  

The very fact that you are browsing this page suggests that you are interested in developing yourself and your career.  You are probably conscious of the need to be in charge of your own destiny, and you certainly understand that you must be fit to compete.  

Responsibility for this rests with you alone, as no longer will employers manage executives' careers.  Of course firms are spending large amounts of money on development and retention strategies, but there's no getting away from the fact that there has been a fundamental shift in relationships between individuals and their employers.  Business writer (and Irishman) Charles Handy forecast this in extensive writings quite a few years back, and so it really should be no surprise to anyone at this stage.  The bottom line is that you, and only you, are responsible for your career.  As the old saying goes:  "If it's to be, it's up to me!"

So, the bad news is that you will have to do all the work as you climb toward  your objectives.  The good news however is that the journey, demanding though it is, offers great excitement and a whole range of rewards.

And there is even more good news.  As the old world of work disintegrates, a new environment is emerging of which a key feature is flexibility.  People are crossing from one industry to another with greater ease than before, and there is greater scope to switch function, company, sector or indeed career.  

Here are some points that we in Propeo Executive Search think are important, and these may assist you in preparing yourself for career development...

So what then do potential employers want?  Or more to the point, what will they pay for?  In leadership roles, it always includes the 'V word'.  VISION.  You will have to create and communicate a clear picture of where you want to take the job.  Companies want evidence of LEADERSHIP, because their executives must know how to bring people with them on a journey, and that journey is often painful (because business just isn't easy any more).  You will need to coach and mentor people through the journey, building them up to be stronger individuals.  Such core competencies transcend industry sectors.   

We are noticing an increased openness among employers to take executives from outside their specific industry sector.  Our advice is to forget classifying yourself as a financial services person, or a telecommunications person.  Companies that retain Propeo Executive Search are often sharply focused on what a person can do, rather than on where they have done it.  Start thinking about how your achievements relate to business in general, as well as to your sector in particular.  For example, would you rather have a reputation as a superb business decision-maker, or as an expert in say the commercial banking sector?  Keep your CV up to date and review it regularly. 

Many companies are seeking to break old ways of doing things, and more crucially, old ways of thinking.  You will need to be perceived as part of the solution in this regard.  Learn to appreciate whacky ideas, and get your people to think outside the box.  You will need to personally lead by example.  What is the wildest thing you have done in your job lately?  Get alive! 

Who was it said that a person can never have too many friends?  For example, banking people and software people are notorious for networking only within their own respective industries.  You must reach out and build relationships in different industries.  This will not only facilitate the creation of some new allies who may be able to help you at some stage, but it will also broaden your horizons, and get you to think more about what is happening in the wider world and how you might use these perspectives in your current role. 

Know who they are.  Go and meet them.  It doesn't matter if people in your function don't do that kind of thing - YOU do it!  Think about them constantly.  Understand how your job and your function impacts them.  (If you can't get to grips with this last point, get a new job!)  

There is no place in modern business for the technologically illiterate!  As a minimum, you must be competent in using e-Mail, in the common Microsoft Office applications or equivalent, and in surfing the Net.  And then you must understand the bigger picture regarding technology - our world is to a large extent being shaped by technological developments and every business is affected.  Are you au fait with what's happening, and can you outline it in plain language? 

No matter how successful your career, realise that the world will never stay still long enough for you to say that you have "got there".  But you must understand that the reward is to be found predominantly in the personal challenge and growth you will experience on your journey.  Learn to love it.  And teach your people to love it.  Then you will deserve the title of "Leader".

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