The Unwritten Rules of Career Growth
The Subtle Shift from Useful to Indispensable
The logic that if you work hard, sooner or later you will progress in your career is not a direct path. Certain unwritten rules (or expectations) separate those who advance in their careers from those who do not. And… it's not written in any job description or manual. These are more subtle rules. What do I mean?
I mean the difference between being useful and being indispensable. Being useful means doing well what you're asked to do. Being essential means understanding what moves the lever of your team or company, and acting accordingly. Understanding this context, these unwritten rules, go beyond results. They are about the projection of what you do within your environment. To do this, before starting a project, ask yourself:
Why was I assigned this?: What are the strategic objectives?
What is expected of me at each moment?: An email, coordinating teams, a report?
How should I do it?: Is research, brainstorming, or forming a team expected from me?
When does it need to be done?: Beyond the deadline, I mean. What is the right moment for the project to be ready?
These questions will help you better recognize your impact. A result that doesn't come from doing more but from doing the right thing at the right time. That is, the key is to transform execution into contribution, and you will go from being useful to being indispensable