Get Better at Getting Better

by Chandramouli Venkatesan

Take up a new role in a new domain where you don’t know the answers. You will be forced to get to the methods of finding the answers and to build new capabilities. There is, of course, some risk involved in this, but if the risk is manageable, I do strongly advocate domain change as a way of unlocking stuck careers. The first role in the new domain might not give you immediate career benefits as your performance in that role will be moderate, because you are still building the GBM. The first role will unlock the process of rebuilding the stagnant GBM; the career benefits will be in future roles. If you can’t get a new role or don’t want to take the risk, find a way of dealing with new situations even in your current role. Try and solve the more complex issues that you have been skirting so far. Try and volunteer for special projects in a different field in your company even if there is no career benefit. And when you get nominated to such project teams, go out of your way to make a difference and contribute; don’t stay within your comfort level. I have often nominated loyal, committed managers in the company to project teams to help them get better. It is frustrating when they don’t get out of their comfort zone to make a contribution and remain passengers in such teams. When you get an opportunity, make the most of it.