How To Outlive That Job: Make Your Boss Your Leader

Very few professionals live in the reality of enjoying the kind of growth they need in their career. 

Few weeks ago I talked about the CEO of FlourMills Nigeria, Mr Paul Gbededo, who will be retiring on 31st December, 2020, after a very fruitful career journey that started as a graduate trainee in that company and rising to and  retiring as CEO. 

Achieving such a feat is the exclusive privilege of everyone. but,  It requires work. Yes. It requires commitment, sacrifice, foresight, patience, and some tricks. It turns out that only few persons are willing to go all in and make that happen. It also turns out that only few professionals, even without reaching to the level of a CEO, are truly living out their career dreams.  And it turns out that feeling stuck in a job, in a position, in a company, is not all there is to work. 

Another ugly side is that of not enjoying job security. It can be really draining to have a job but constantly unsure of your future in that company. So I did some searching and discovered  a professional who consistently survived being fired  in an organisation that prides itself in laying off its workers recklessly.

Luke Chinda* is an exemplary young lawyer who worked in a chamber that can rank pretty well as the firm with a very high level of job insecurity. Young lawyers come and go as if workforce retention makes no sense whatsoever. But for Luke, his name didn't make the list of those that were relieved of their positions. His only secret is-- doing a great job and  going to the boss to have the boss' thought on what he has done and on areas to improve on.

His works were always nice. But he somehow found out that the oga ( boss) likes it when he comes around to discuss what he has done. That really facilitated good relationship between Luke and his boss. Such relationships are good. They fast track personal development and career growth. 

 For the young lawyer, that was his winning strategy. He's moved on to secure a higher  appointment in an Australian based law firm, and his method inspires  useful guidelines that can help anyone to avert feeling stuck on a job or  getting fired.

How To outlive Your Job

• Build  good relationship with your bosses
• Prioritise personal development or learning
• Never settle for what is less than your desired goal/ Stay hungry for Growth
• Build Good relationships with other professionals
• Embrace growth opportunities

It turns out that good performance report from your boss is needed if you must move from your present post to a higher one in an organisation. You really need your boss to know you personally. Build good relationship with your bosses.

It hurts when you are due for promotion or when an opportunity to secure a better job comes your way and you're not ready due to lack of needed competencies and certificates. You don't want that to happen. So, prioritise personal development

Nothing stalls growth like losing the urge for it. Staying hungry for personal growth has the effect of compelling personal commitment into the things that will aid growth.

To Know more, to do more, to  be more, the cooperation of other people is needed. Build good relationship with others if you care about outliving your current job.

You get what you wish for. Personal development, and building good relationships, lead to career growth. Embrace growth opportunities.

Conclusion

To outlive your current position and enjoy a fulfilling career growth, prioritise building good relationships and personal development.

 

 *Luke Chinda is not the real name of the individual used in the example. He prefers that his real name should  not be  published.