How to Climb the Corporate Ladder

Advancement at work is often seen as climbing the corporate ladder at the expense of your colleagues; you have to step on others to reach the top. But the best way up the corporate ladder is to foster the respect of supervisors and co-workers. When you reach the top rung, you want to celebrate your success, not fend off all the people you stepped on who now want to bring you down. Read on to learn how.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Work your way up the corporate ladder slowly by doing your work well. Whatever your job position, work to your potential and check your work to make sure it meets the expectations of your superiors. That doesn't mean you have to work overtime every week or do your coworkers' work for them, just take care of your business.

2. Take the lead. Volunteer to work on new projects that are getting a lot of notice and look for leadership positions within the company that don't require specific promotions to complete.

3. Toot your own horn. Let management and co-workers know about your successes in fulfilling company goals. If you've brought in new customers or landed a juicy account, send a friendly email to let others know.

4. Hang out with other, like-minded professionals. Climbing the corporate ladder is much more difficult if you have unmotivated people hanging around your ankles holding you down. Avoid negative people with bad attitudes or low work ethics. Surround yourself with others climbing the ladder, too.

5. Stand on your rung in the corporate structure proudly and confidently. Be happy with where you are while looking up to where you want to go. Others will see your confidence as ability and will look for you to advance since they want competent people running the show.

6. Learn the skills necessary to be a leader. You need to be able to share your thoughts and ideas, motivate others to work at their peak, and show that you can get the job done. Don't be meek and mild or a loner. Take classes to improve your communication skills.

7. Be seen by the higher-ups as a peer. Attend luncheons, seminars and after-hours functions. Always appear professional at these events, never drink too much or go over the top. Emulate the behavior of your superiors.

[grayson87]

on 8/20/2008 Nice write up!

[bartstone]

on 3/10/2008 When one works his/her way up the "corporate ladder", it is evident that the cream rises to the top. But, it is equally apparent that **** floats.