We all know smart, hard-working people who have been individual contributors for years. And we also all know smart, hard-working people who have quickly jumped from entry-level to management, seemingly overnight. So, what is it that sets these fast-trackers apart? They have figured out one of the fundamentals of career momentum:
Your job is not about doing your tasks.
Your job, no matter what level you’re at, is about helping the organization achieve its goals, realize its vision and fulfill its mission. The tasks on your job description are only important to the extent to which they enhance organizational performance. Fast-trackers get this.
Now, one of my favorite Secrets of Adulthood is that the opposite of a great truth is also true. So, yes, your job is about doing your tasks. The foundation of any career is doing the work and doing it well. You have to start there.
Then it’s time to explore how your work fits into the bigger picture. Look for ways to streamline and optimize. Find synergies between your tasks and the tasks of other team members, work groups or departments. Share your ideas.
Look up from your task list, shift your thinking from how to why, and prove you have the big-picture vision of a leader.
The Management Maven 
Excellent! This post says so much so clearly. Everyone who works in any capacity at any company can gain by heeding this advice.
Kind words, thank you! I’m so glad you found it valuable.
Bernadine – great post! I have a tendency to over-focus on ticking things off my To Do list, which are mainly “tasks”. It’s easy to lose sight of the bigger picture. Excellent reminder.
It’s tough because ticking things off the list is just so satisfying! Thanks for commenting, Julie.
Great advice about the big picture 🙂
Pingback: Best Blogs 12 Sep 2014 | ChristopherinHR
I’m going to try this. I am feeling pretty jaded with my job just at the moment.
Reblogged this on Dauntless.vafilipina and commented:
In short, if you always treat your job as your service to others, and you’re a good teamplayer…finding ways always on how to help the group achieve its goals as a whole, is a fast way for you to go up ahead. But of course, if you have the right intentions in mind. God will bless you indeed with greater responsibilities… 🙂