So, I have been working at a company that is small but old (around 25 employees). Basically, the company was founded many years ago and got stuck in a niche market. But there is a new product that we started selling and it has a huge potential (it has patents and clients are impressed). There are two groups in the company, one that my boss is part of and consists of some old folks from this first generation and they are pretty much "settled" - they have been working for the company for many years, never got good raises or mentorship and at the same time they were never asked for goals either, so they just work for a paycheck. Some people even started businesses on the side. The second group is the new folks who are younger, motivated and we are pushing this new product really well. I'm working very close to the product manager and he really likes my work. I'm not junior but I'm not also a manager, but I really wanted to demonstrate leadership as I already know more than my boss (he is sort of a marketing manager / general manager). He has a good relationship with me and I don't to screw that up, but at the same time he doesn't care much about my development and he gives me work to do that should be done by interns (like filling documents or making updates on the website). The product manager already wants me on his team to work full-time as a product designer / front-end developer. I also developed respect from other developers, I have this unique skill in the company which is the understanding of front-end, design, and human behavior. Everybody likes me, but I don't want to be seen as the "nice guy", sometimes I actually think I'm too nice. The owner is true decision-maker and he has a good relationship with my boss who has been working at the company for 10 years. So, I'm basically thinking on ways that I can demonstrate leadership to expose me to the owner, such as doing hackathons, or special projects like something for business intelligence, but I really don't know what would have the highest impact. On the other side, I can do things such as changing design process, usability studies, and a lot of things that will improve my knowledge, but might not get exposure and that might never lead me to management. I understand that from a business perspective what makes employees valuable is what kind of value that they bring to the company, so I'm thinking how I can do something that it will truly expose me as a leader? Note: we are not data driven, so many things are decided on feeling. Unfortunately, I don't have natural leadership skills mostly because of my disability - I have ADHD and I struggle with oral communication). I'm also not an English native speaker, but I improved a lot recently because I was coached by a previous manager at another company that I worked for. I also started taking medication which improved my speech glitches a lot (I used to forget words all the time and get nervous), now it's much better, but I still have some baggage - years of low self-confidence behaviors that shaped my personality.
First, let me commend you for taking the initiative to help develop your potential as a leader. I've worked to help at former employees get promoted on their job within 3 months by walking them through strategic and developmental outlines to move their career ahead. I've trained countless employees in their job duties and shown them ways to improve there skills and complete task more efficiently. After reading your question and concerns, my wheels begin spinning, so I'll share as much as possible in this reply.
First, ensure you have a clear understanding of the difference between a leader and a manager as it pertains to this company. Leaders have the ability to influence another's actions, thoughts, and behaviors. Leaders initiate, give guidance, direction, and empowerment, while a manager is a person responsible for controlling or administering all or part of a company or similar organization. You don't have to hold a managerial position be to a leader, you simply need the ability to influence. Secondly, clearly define your ultimate goal within the organization. Based on the information you provided you should see yourself as an influential employee working toward a managerial position. This will position you to enhance your career within, or even outside the company by focusing on self development while learning the business.
Here are a list of tactics you can follow:
1.) Be dedicated to every task you are given, even if you feel it is outside of your job description. Do more than you are asked to. This will show you can be trusted to get a job done in excellence. Often leaders and managers will give potential prodigies task to see how they will handle them. Don't discredit any task. You never know who's watching.
2.) Develop a leadership work ethic: volunteer for task, be the first to arrive and the last to leave (when time allots based on your work schedule), help other employees when you can, ask to learn new task or information that pertains to the operation of the business or products, offer insight and input when asked or needed. Have an owners mentality and a servant work ethic.
3.) Invest in your personal growth and development. Identify your strengths and weaknesses. Continue to develop and mature in your strengths, and invest in the areas you pin point as your weaknesses. You specifically mentioned having ADHD, speaking "glitches", and low self-esteem. First, don't think of those as disqualifies or barriers. You actually identified your core weaknesses, so you are one step ahead. I would recommend finding a local group, such as Toastmasters (https://www.toastmasters.org), to assist you with focus, public speaking and presentations, and also with boosting your self-esteem.
4.) Continue to develop your relationship and rapport with the owner, manager and other employees. Honor the disposition of those over you by showing you respect them in their roles and show interest in their expertise. Also seek relationships with other leaders or managers outside of your organization and become a student of them.
I hope this begins to point you in the right direction. Generally reaching your goal in this area will take ongoing strategy and coaching, but it is certainly doable. I would love to chat with you and would like to schedule a call to follow up with any additional questions you may have.
I look forward to assisting you in climbing your career ladder,
Nathaliee
Answered 8 years ago
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