Numerous professionals aspire to ascend the corporate hierarchy. Suzanne Ogle believes that most individuals’ career journeys resemble a jungle gym rather than a straightforward ladder.
“Typically, there isn’t a linear route from an entry-level role to leading the organization,” states Ogle, who serves as the president and CEO of the Southern Gas Association based in Dallas. “Acquiring a variety of skills is essential, and it will be a significant effort. Achieving a leadership role can span decades.”
Progressing from one level to another may necessitate a diverse strategy that includes education, training, networking, and volunteering within your workplace, in addition to leveraging your personal strengths, according to Ogle.
Experienced executives suggest numerous strategies that can aid professionals in reaching the C-suite. Here’s what Ogle and other industry leaders recommend.
1. How to Access the C-Suite: Go Beyond Your Job Description.
Regardless of your position, you should strive to innovate it, asserts Adam Bryant, senior managing director of The ExCo Group executive coaching firm located in New York City, founder of the Corner Office interview series in The New York Times, and author of multiple executive leadership books. “Don’t merely meet expectations,” he emphasizes. “Create a history of identifying ways to enhance the company and improve efficiency.”
2. Network with Intention.
When Shawn M. Graham relocated to Atlanta, she recognized she had the skills and determination to advance her career but aimed to connect with the right individuals. Raised in New York’s inner city, she takes pride in her hard work and resilience. “I would observe who in the room everyone sought to connect with,” shares Graham, the current CFO and interim CEO of the National Black MBA Association. “Having learned from my youth, I was aware of the importance of knowing whom to strive to befriend and who to avoid.” She adds that networking goes beyond mere presence: “It’s about reciprocity. I seek advice from others, but I also inquire how I can assist them.”
3. Seek Out Effective Mentors.
According to Bryant, mentors and coaches play a crucial role in career advancement. “It’s inherent in human nature to overlook certain aspects about oneself, necessitating someone who can provide clarification. For instance, you might view yourself as collaborative but must recognize that others may perceive you as authoritarian.”
4. Be Attentive.
Graham consistently observes the actions of business leaders and others she admires to learn from them and discern what traits contribute to their success. “I would even pay attention to people’s body language and note the way they communicate with others,” she states. “Now, I dedicate my efforts to sharing my skills and insights by mentoring others.”
5. Cultivate Your Communication Skills.
A common characteristic shared by over 1,000 senior leaders interviewed by Bryant is their strong communication capabilities. “CEOs must distill complex information,” says Bryant. “A leader should be able to address a group and respond to inquiries the same way a parent does with children in the back seat. They want clarity on the direction you’re headed and the plan to get there.” He suggests practicing how to simplify intricate subjects into straightforward explanations by taking a seven-page document and condensing it to one page or by halving a presentation deck.
6. Expand Your Professional Experience.
Another shared trait among leaders is their ability to maximize any path they find themselves on, according to Bryant. “Consider your life analogous to a towel absorbing water, then wring out every drop from your experiences,” he suggests. “Effective leaders are always observing and assimilating lessons from their surroundings.” He recommends volunteering for committees and special projects within your organization to enhance learning and establish connections with colleagues and mentors.
7. Commit to Lifelong Learning.
Graham advocates for pursuing an MBA, which she considers “invaluable” for unlocking opportunities and gaining knowledge beyond textbooks. However, she emphasizes that a wide range of education and experiences can pave the way to the C-suite: “Continue to expand your knowledge by reading and listening to others. This practice is particularly vital today, given the rapid technological changes impacting our lives and industries.”
8. Engage in Community Service.
Although it may be tempting to concentrate solely on your career and personal affairs, both Ogle and Graham advocate for active involvement in your community. Graham, who holds various nonprofit board positions and has served a two-year term on Atlanta’s Small Business Advisory Council, believes that volunteering is an excellent avenue for expanding your network and learning from fellow volunteers. “I feel a responsibility to assist others in my community, and I find joy in mentoring,” Graham remarks. “People are often taken aback when I respond to their LinkedIn messages or volunteer at the Salvation Army, but I aim to assist them just as my mentors once supported me.”
