10 Tips For Climbing The Corporate Ladder

A wise man once rapped, “Started from the bottom, now we’re here.” Like Drake, even CEOs of major companies started from the bottom — of the corporate ladder, that is. If you’re gunning to make your mark in the business world, you’ll have to climb that ladder step by step too, but there are a few things you can do to make the trip up a little quicker. Follow these 10 tips to make climbing the corporate ladder relatively breezy:

Find a Mentor

Looking for a pretty big leg up on your climb toward the top of the corporate ladder? Start by finding a solid mentor. Try to connect with a more senior-level member of your company or department, rather than someone just a job title or two above you. Not only will a senior-level mentor be more likely to provide more insightful, hard-earned advice (since they have more on-the-job experience to draw from), he or she may also be in a better position to directly influence your promotions, or connect you with other key members of the company.

Offer Solutions

A good employee points out inefficiencies in a company’s systems and processes … but a great employee also offers potential solutions. Don’t drone on and on about what’s wrong with your company unless you have ideas on how to make it right. Your gung-ho attitude toward problem solving will get you noticed by leadership.

Know When to Say Yes

Climbing up the corporate ladder takes an extra bit of ambition and willingness to take on tough tasks. If you’re asked to take on projects that you don’t feel quite ready to tackle, say yes, and then figure out a plan of attack (psst, now might be a good time to reach out to your mentor for advice!).

And Know When to Say No

Keep in mind, though, that future C-suite level execs know when they’re being taken advantage of. When it comes to tasks far outside of your job description, like planning office parties or doing drone work, it’s okay to establish boundaries and turn some tasks down — otherwise you’ll never finish the projects you’ve already signed on to. Women, especially, need to be careful of defaulting to “yes” in the workplace; since female workers are stereotyped as being more nurturing and helpful, they’re often asked — and expected — to take on extra office grunt work, with little payoff.

Take Risks

“Dream Big” may be an overused motivational poster platitude, but it’s also a corporate ladder climber’s credo. If you’re going to get noticed in a workplace already oversaturated by bright young things, you’ve got to be willing to take some calculated risks on your big ideas. So go ahead and approach your boss about that kind of crazy (but also maybe genius?) plan you had on improving a certain job process — it takes guts, gumption, and confidence to innovate, and the higher ups will take notice.

Be Big on Personal Responsibility

Yes, risk-taking is a must to climb up the corporate ladder, but the more risks you take the more likely you are to occasionally hit a speed bump — or totally fail altogether. And that’s okay. What’s not okay is passing the buck and skirting responsibility for your mistakes. Even great leaders and innovators fail sometimes, but part of what makes them great is that they take personal responsibility for their shortcomings and learn from their mistakes. That’s what will earn you respect in the boardroom.

Be a Team Player

It may be tempting to try to outshine your peers during team projects, in an attempt to gain management’s attention. And they will notice you — but not for the reasons you’re hoping. Being a good team player — listening, respecting, and building off of others’ ideas — is crucial to corporate success. No one wants to promote an idea hog who’s all about “me, me, me. ”

Go Exploring

It’s easy to get caught up in what’s going on in your own department, or even just your own cubicle. But corporate ladder climbers need to be able to see the bigger picture and understand how different departments work together to make a company tick. Make a point to initiate cross-department relationships so you can explore the ins and outs of your company as a whole.

Be Visible

You can be making extraordinary strides on your workplace projects, but if you’re just hiding behind your desk all day, no one’s going to be able to connect your name and face to your achievements. It’s time to get social; show up and socialize at office happy hours, potlucks, and holiday parties. This will also show how you’re committed to your company beyond the 9-to-5 office hours.

Make the Ask

Have you been nailing items one through nine on this list with nary a promotion or raise thrown your way? Bummer, BUT — have you actually asked for a promotion or raise? Asking for what you want is such an obvious way to get higher up the corporate ladder, but it’s something that young employees often overlook or shy away from. But bosses aren’t versed in telepathy, so they may not know a promotion is on your mind until you ask for one. Your boss may say “no” due to timing, budgets, or other factors, but at least your ambitions are now out in the open.

It can be a long slog up the corporate ladder, but following these tips should get you up a few rungs with relative ease. Hey, if Drake can do it, why not you?