# 4 Strategies to Climb the Management Ladder By:: [[Brian Heath]] 2022-09-26 Many people wish to progress in their careers from individual contributors to managers. Minimally this is perceived as a path to achieving wealth and status. There are many alternatives, but most people view this as their best and only option. Before you make this decision or have this decision made for you, I recommend giving it some serious thought. Becoming a manager isn't all that it is cracked up to be. Yes, there is more [[money]], but there are costs as well. Check out [[Management in Quandary - A Critique of Organizational Power|Management in Quandary]] for a deeper exploration. However, if you still wish to go down the manager path, here are a few recommendations to help you better play the game. But remember to swim at your own risk as there is no lifeguard on duty. 1. **Do what you say.** The easiest way to get noticed is to keep your commitments. This may seem basic and straightforward, but you'll be surprised how infrequently this occurs. Being a responsible and accountable employee will almost guarantee you a supervisory position at some point. 2. **Lead with "I intend to."** It is common for people to come to managers with problems versus solutions. This is how we are taught to behave in industrial organizations. However, the secret to being seen as a leader is coming to the table with solutions and intended actions. Before engaging with your manager on a problem, take the time to figure out how you intend to solve it. Start with "I intend to" and fill in the blank. Once you've got something take it to your manager with zero attached [[ego]]. Most managers will put a spin on your solution, but the fact that you came to the table with some thought-out solution will put you on the path to mid-level management. 3. **Be an integrator.** Functional silos are common in organizations and are a major pain for senior leaders. If you can operate across the silos, then you'll be seen as a significant asset to the organization. This means cultivating strong [[relationships]] with functional leaders and being sensitive to and empathetic with organizational [[politics]]. Navigating these tricky waters is crucial to becoming an upper-level manager. 4. **Don't be afraid to leave.** Being at the right place at the right time plays a much larger role than any of us would like to believe. Sometimes you can do all of the right things and you just won't get that promotion. Don't be afraid to leave the organization to continue your climb. Switching jobs is often the fastest way to gain salary and status via management. Part of this is due to organizations being pyramids with only so many positions at the top. The other part is that a prophet is never welcomed in their city. Best of luck on your journey through the management ranks. Just remember that you can always [[Progressive quitting|change your mind and purpose]]. #### Related Items [[Management]] [[Leadership]] [[Business]] [[Strategy]] [[Wealth]] [[Status]]