Building a successful career is not a solitary endeavor. It's a journey that involves fostering key relationships. Discover the five essential connections that can propel your professional growth and lead you towards career success.
In the initial stages of your career, one of the most important things you can do is build relationships that will have a significant impact on your life over time.
These five relationships can accelerate your path to a promotion, increase your visibility within an…
- There’s an old African proverb that says, “It takes a village to raise a child.”
- This applies to the workplace, specifically to early career professionals.
The Partner
A mutually beneficial peer relationship fueled by trust, a shared drive to succeed, and the recognition that you can do better together
- Look for someone whose personality and work ethic complement your own
- Find someone who fills the gaps in your working style
- Be an advocate for other people’s work
The Competitor
Competition can be healthy if it’s focused on achieving results (a win-win)
- One way to entice them to work with you instead of against you is to have a vulnerable conversation
- Share your aspirations, ask them about their goals, and figure out if there are ways you can help each other succeed
The Mentor
Think of a mentor as the north star that will keep you on track when you’re feeling lost at work.
- Great mentors are often proven leaders who have navigated corporate politics and advanced their career within an organization or industry that aligns with your longer-term goals. To find one, think about someone whose path you deeply admire but is still within reach.
The Mentee
As a mentor, you are a leader and role model. You bring out the best in others, recognize their strengths, give feedback, and coach.
- Seek out these opportunities internally by looking for interns or new employees that may need help settling in or externally by mentoring in affinity organizations
The Sponsor
Advocates on your behalf, and in some cases, directly present you with career advancement opportunities
- Need to show people in your organization that you’re worth advocating for
- Be great at what you do – and your work must be visible
- Have unique skills, cultural knowledge, or generational life experiences to share
