In Episode 001, I touched on the subject of Higher Level Tasks. In that episode, I talked about how you can position yourself for advancement by transitioning from process oriented tasks to higher-level tasks that leverage more discretion and judgement. This week, we'll revisit that topic and discuss additional strategies for making this transition.
Process oriented tasks are those that follow a standard flow and can be done more through rote action than through personal agency. Higher-level tasks are often unique and require more understanding and experience to resolve. These types of tasks usually provide more value to the organization leading to additional responsibilities and, eventually, a coveted promotion.
Previously, I offered several methods you could use to showcase your creativity, problem solving, and decision making skills. These included optimizing processes that you owned and volunteering to take work from senior members of your team. This week, I'll cover some additional options for stepping into higher-level tasks.
Understanding the BIG picture
Higher-level tasks are often focused on decisions that move the organization forward. Having an understanding of the values of the company and its leadership, allows you to align your decisions with them. So, how do you go about learning about other areas of the business?
First, you can pay attention during organization-wide meetings. During these types of meetings, they will often talk about projects that are important or that have a high, cross-departmental impact. This will give you insight into what ideas and initiatives you could champion in your area that would build on those important projects.
Next, look for cross-functional teams that give you exposure to people in other areas. Leverage those teams to build your relationships and expand your network. Schedule sessions with these new contacts to discuss what they are working on and how that relates to your work.
Lastly, keep up with trends in your industry. Dedicate time each week to read up on everything related to your industry and competitors. Are there new approaches or new technologies that you can bring to your organization?
Strategic Thinking
Once you've built an understanding of the big picture, you'll be better positioned to develop your strategic thinking skills. There are a few exercises you can undertake that will take your understanding of the big picture and use that to think strategically.
First, practice Critical Analysis of your existing work. Challenge the assumptions underlying each...
