I wanted to be a director. I soooo wanted to be a director.
This was decades ago, and I thought I couldn’t get any respect or get anything done without the title of director.
Then I grew up and learned.
Since then, I’ve had numerous junior colleagues—some of whom worked for me, some who I mentored—they’ve come to me and asked, “How do I become a director (or a manager or a VP) here?”
My answer was to the point: “If you want to become a director, be a director.”
“But I’m not a director,” they would respond. “I want to become one. Don’t you understand?”
That’s when I’d tell them what I wish I had been told decades prior. “Hey, look, let me be straight with you. You don’t act like a director. You don’t lead like a director. You don’t bring people together like a director. You don’t think like a director. I’m happy to help you grow into becoming a director—I truly am willing to work with you on this, and no one will be prouder if and when you get there—but until you become one, who’s going to give you that title? And if you do get that title today, would it really be fair to you if you aren’t ready for it?
“I only wish someone had been straight with me back when I was in your shoes, but they really weren’t.”
Bottom line, if you have ambition, don’t go seeking a title. Seek experience. Learn how to lead. Learn how to work with people. Learn how to bring people together. (Oh, and be a good person, too!) The titles will follow. And the experience will go a much longer way at your next job.
You want to expedite things? Try taking the very hardest job there is, the one no one else wants, and do it well. (It usually has something to do with change…in my career it was labor negotiations. It was gnarly…required a lot of homework.)
You’ll have to figure out how to persuade people, lead people, lead in meetings. But, after a few fits and starts, you’ll become a director/VP/manager/whatever. And that’s when you might just get the title.
Good luck!
Let me know what you think. I look forward to being in touch.
Al Comeaux