Most management people are hard-working and smart but often don’t have well defined strategies for their own career progress. They seem to put all their faith in their organizations to provide the right experience, guide them on training and promote them regularly. In Asia over the past couple decades this strategy has worked for many people. Fast economic growth has lifted millions of people farther and faster than at any time in history. However, counting on being in the right place at the right time is not a sustainable strategy for long- term career success.
The key for ambitious managers is to think how to differentiate themselves from the crowd of other qualified people – most of whom are also smart and hard- working. Since virtually all people are promoted or hired into positions after being compared with other options, this only makes sense. Decision-makers always keep their eye out for who stands out.
