I was recently approached by our Learning and Development manager about an opportunity to start a rotation for experience in various parts of our company. The ultimate goal being when a member of leadership retires I would be prepared to step up and into that role. In talking this through with my manager and a colleague I am close with they both asked me "What do you ultimately want to do with your career?". When I replied "get into management and be a leader" they both pressed me for specifics.
At my last employer I had advanced as far as I could due to my lack of interest in moving. I have never been challenged to think about a much longer term goal for my career until now. My current employer's corporate headquarters are located in my home city. I want to move into management and even executive leadership but am unsure of what my end goal would be.
I am looking for any advice on how to approach this question. I have thought of some potentials but I'm not sure they are the right ones yet.
Thanks to all in advance!
What are you good at and how does that help the company...
I would start by thinking about what you are good at and how would you use that skill or expertise at the management or executive level. How would this change/improve results for the company. Part of why most people want to be a manager or executive is selfish, more money, more influence, more prestige. However, the company needs to get something out of promoting you as well.
Get more specific
Think about what you like about management or leadership specifically. What areas really get you excited?
Some potential thoughts are:
Also think about what departments you might have an interest in joining outside your current department.
This is an opportunity
Hi,
If the company is asking you this, then they most likely see some potential in you. I'm sorry to say that your answer probably disappointed them as it lacked specifics and depth. I suggest you spend some time thinking about it and then go back to the folks who asked you with your new answer.
As the previous posters advised, think about your strengths and also about the aspects of management that you have an interest in. If your interests are not yet strengths, can you develop them into strengths?
My experience is that people who aren't actively driving their career in the direction of their interests, end up in a career that merely utilises more of their existing strengths. For some, they already align well and this is OK. For others, it doesn't align and so they don't end up enjoying their work. This can become more apparent later in their career as they two paths diverge. Also because some people need to change and evolve and this can mean needing to learn new skills in areas that are if interest now but weren't 20 years ago.
Once you have a clear and more substantial answer, you can apologise and say that their question prompted you to do the longer term aspirational thinking that you had been putting off for whatever reason, and you'd like the opportunity to provide a fuller, clearer and more detailed answer. Be prepared to answer with what you'd like to do more of in the future, why, why it will benefit the company, and what kind of additional skills or experience you already think you may need. Ask them what skills and experience they think you will need.
Good luck
kevin