Are You Executive Material?

When you join the corporate world, many people has aspirations of being part of the executive team – Manager, Assistant Vice President, Vice President, CEO, CFO – but not everyone has what it takes to become a part of upper management. It’s much more complex than sitting in a big desk and having control over a group of employees with an administrative assistant to make sure that you don’t miss any meetings or appointments. In fact, in the executive capacity, especially that beyond Manager, you must know everything that goes on within the scope of your jurisdiction.

Most companies will not hire even a manager from outside the company unless they have extensive experience and no one within the company qualifies. That means for the potential executive, you will need to begin at a level beneath that of manager, and probably even supervisor. You will more than likely be required to work your way up the ladder before you obtain the status of an executive.

On the down side of the scale is that when you have enough experience, there may not be a position. Keep in mind that those who present strong leadership qualities will advance faster than others, and may in fact create a position for the right person. On the other hand, if you do not present yourself as management material, you will not likely go very far and possibly become stalemated within the position for which you were originally hired. Do not be of the mistake idea that because you don’t advance it’s because you are so indispensable in your current position that supervision is trying to hold you back—it’s because they do not feel you possess the qualities that are necessary to go farther than the highest level in your current position.

If you find that your company doesn’t see you as someone with management potential, is there something you can do? It depends upon the company, but in most cases, once they have formed an opinion of you, at least in that department, you will need to move on in order to be recognized. It may mean another department, or you may need to look around at moving to another company. Be certain before you make a move that you know what qualities you lack as management material and take the steps necessary to correct it whether it’s more education, more training, or a different view of the corporate world and the development of your personal management style.