Just like oilfield operations, careers are complex.
But there is a surprisingly simple way to manage them.
Want to know how?
The answer was in one of my favorite books, “The Checklist Manifesto” by Dr. Atul Gawande.
It’s a beautifully written manuscript that gives startling evidence of how a simple checklist significantly reduces errors in complex professions like aviation, medicine, and engineering.
As a field engineer working on offshore oilrigs, I used checklists every single day.
From lubricating and tightening a simple screw to completing a delicate fiber optics installation, every single step was part of a checklist.
Just like oilfield operations, careers are complex.
But we tend to forget that.
We often work in isolation with a lack of any meaningful feedback from our managers, wondering what we missed that stalled our career.
And even if we are one of those lucky ones who are confident in our ability to figure it out, without a step-by-step process, the path to success becomes considerably longer than warranted.
If we want to fast-track our growth to a high-impact, high-paying career, we cannot rely on our management, our company, or really even our determination alone.
We need a checklist for our careers.
Here’s a simple checklist that you can steal today to create your own.
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The Career Fast-Track Checklist
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Start of a new role
1. Craft a strong elevator pitch that clearly communicates your unique value proposition in under 10 seconds.
2. Get clear on the goals and success metrics for your role.
3. Have informal meetings with all immediate and extended stakeholders to start building relationships.
Every 3 months
1. Do quarterly career conversations with your manager to discuss career aspirations and chart a clear action plan.
2. Gather meaningful feedback for growth from your manager and team.
3. Hold status update meetings to share your biggest wins with senior management.
Every 6 months
1. Ask management for time-share opportunities in high-visibility projects.
2. Audit your calendar to remove any non-essential tasks and meetings.
3. Nurture your network by scheduling lunch dates with key sponsors.
Every 12 months
1. Audit your position and compensation by doing a market value analysis.
2. Evaluate your position in the organizational chart and seek opportunities to move from cost-center to P&L ownership.
3. Take part in high-visibility speaking events and pro-bono leadership opportunities to build your external personal brand.
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Is your career moving as fast as it could be?
Don’t leave your growth to chance. Apply for THE FEARLESS HIRE, where I’ll guide you in creating a personalized strategy to achieve your high-impact, high-paying career faster than you thought possible.
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