Telephone Excellence by Mike Mitchell

Are you prepared for a promotion?
By Mike Mitchell

Most of us have the desire to move to the next level in our careers and seek out new opportunities for success. Before an opportunity becomes available, you should ask yourself two questions. First, what is the cost of a promotion? And, second, am I prepared for a promotion?

The cost of a promotion:
Increased responsibilities go hand-in-hand with a promotion. Most of us are already entrusted with three areas of management responsibility: people, process, and equipment. Will accepting a new position increase your responsibility in one or all of these areas? Are you willing to be more accountable in these areas? Will your promotion require more time on the job? How will a promotion affect the balance between your personal and work life?

Not long ago, I interviewed a Chief Information Officer turned IT consultant and asked why he had chosen not to continue as CIO. He said that the role of a CIO today is more complicated and time consuming than it was ten years ago. He was not willing to commit to the extra time away from his family or accept the additional demands required of a CIO. In addition, he could earn more as an IT consultant than he could as the CIO of a small company.

Preparing for a promotion:
Did you play sports in high school or college? If your experience was like mine, there were 1st string players, or starters, and 2nd string players, or substitutes. In order to be promoted from 2nd string to a starting position, you had to improve your skills. You had to prove to the coach that you were ready and able to take on a new level of responsibility.

Promotion doesn't happen by accident. If you desire to advance into a management, director level, or even a hospital administrator position, what are you doing right now to prove yourself capable of handling additional responsibilities? Listed below are several areas in which you should assess your strengths and weaknesses. Develop a plan to improve your skills to the level of a 1st string player and start preparing for that promotion today.

Preparing for a promotion? Polish your:
• Attitude - develop a positive attitude and a sense of urgency
• Knowledge - find out what knowledge and skills are required for the desired position
• Diligence - perform your current responsibilities to the best of your ability
• Appearance - dress like a person who represents your hospital well
• Initiative - be proactive: volunteer for special projects and committees
• Focus - concentrate on getting the job done: do not focus on "the clock" or a paycheck
• Communications - practice your presentation skills and learn to listen effectively
• Leadership - support your staff, your peers, and other hospital employees
• Enthusiastism - stay physically healthy and energetic with a "can do" spirit
• Loyalty - be loyal to your colleagues and your company

-Mike