Six executives share the secrets of their success

You’re ambitious, talented and possess some top technical and soft skills. But that’s not enough to progress your career. While it seems almost everyone has an opinion on how to best work your way to the top, it’s those who have succeeded in doing so who are perhaps best qualified to give advice.

That’s why we asked six executives to share the secrets of their success. In this blog, we relay their insights and career mantras, based on their own respective journeys.

Find a sponsor

There was clear agreement between these executives that you need to find a sponsor. Siobhan K O’Toole, Founder of Scale Up Expert and Career Mentor said, “You need to find someone who’s going to give you air coverage, someone who’s actually going to talk about your achievements and roll them up to the higher level. Mahesh Muralidhar, Head of People Operations at Airtasker, agreed, adding that you shouldn’t be afraid to ask people to promote your work and successes, provided you are willing to reciprocate. “Trust that people want to help you,” he said. “The people around you are usually more successful if you’re successful.”

Know the share price

Siobhan also mentioned that it’s important not to silo yourself. “Success is in the intersection of capability,” she says. “You can’t just be a specialist in one area”. Develop your commercial acumen, get to know the broader business, including its objectives and the role other departments play in achieving those objectives, and understand what impacts the organisation’s share price. The more you think and work like a senior leader, the closer you get to becoming one.

Build key relationships internally and externally

Swati Singh, General Manager Technology at Mirvac, adds that the right relationships help you progress. “In today’s environment you’re not just working with people within your organisation,” she says. Swati advises you to build relationships with your team, key stakeholders outside your own department and externally within the wider business sector. Invest time in growing and nurturing your network of mutually beneficial relationships, not just via social media platforms, but also face-to-face.

Be a good mentee

Mahesh says a mentee must know exactly what they’re looking for in a mentor, since the latter provides their time and guidance. “A mentee should be clear about the questions they want answered and understand what exactly they’re looking to get from a mentor. It’s not just a broad relationship. Be clear about the support you’re looking for.”

Treat others with respect

Evan Bateup, Chief People Officer at Vista Group, says the people you work with have a huge influence on your career progression. “Treat people with respect, from the receptionist to the CEO.” He also advises you to always be yourself so that you represent your true personal brand.

Plan your progression

Of course, you can’t get to where you want to be without a considered plan in place. Aurelie Le Gall, Business Director at Hays says, “Focus on one task at a time and set yourself some objectives with a specific timeline so you get it done.” Erin McLoughlin, Head of HR at Hays, expands further by suggesting you ask your manager or mentor what you can do to develop. “Be really open and consider what you can do to put practical steps in place to take action.”

I hope you found this advice useful. The executives of Hays frequently share their advice on Viewpoint, from career progression, to looking for a new job. You can view some of these blogs below:

• How to get noticed by your boss’s boss
• Seven steps to make a leap in your career success – step 1 passion
• Seven steps to make a leap in your career – Step 2: Vision
• Four ways women can be braver, bolder and more successful

Author

Nick Deligiannis

Former Managing Director, Hays Australia & New Zealand

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Nick Deligiannis began working at Hays in 1993 and since then has held a variety of consulting and management roles across the business, including the role of Director responsible for the operation of Hays in Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory. In 2004  Nick was appointed to the Hays Board of Directors, and was made Managing Director for Australia and New Zealand in 2012.

Prior to joining Hays, he had a background in human resource management and marketing, and has formal qualifications in Psychology.