The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper print
operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The Standard Group is recognized as a
leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in matters of national and international interest.
Over the past week or so, I have been involved in a team that is conducting extensive research on the inclusion of women in different spheres of society, in commemoration of March, home to International Women’s Day. And the research I have come across has given me a lot of food for thought and perspective that I had not previously considered.
While most of the research has been conducted in developing countries, there are some pieces that I can confidently say apply in our own setting because I have seen their proof in my personal life. One of these is around how to access positions of leadership within our institutions. These are some of the lessons I have found helpful if the corner office is your goal.
Bottom line
One of the most sure-fire ways to rise to executive positions is by clearly understanding your contribution to the bottom line of an organisation, in most cases profitability (in for-profit firms). This calls for aiming for roles that are able to save or make the company money.
If you are already in a role where that path is not so clear, find ways of impacting the firm’s profitability through other projects or seek guidance on how to implement it within your unit. If you can get to control your own profit and loss, this is the most ideal scenario.
This simply means understanding what your budget for costs is and what you are expected to make for the unit and then measure your performance against it.
Use the terms in your review
As much as possible, when reporting or assessing your quarterly, annual etc review, ensure you phrase your achievements in terms of what profit and loss you brought to the table and to what extent. Even making things work in an organisation is equal to to impacting either profits or losses. You may need to learn some basic numbers aspects, but it will be worth it.
Remember, proving your worth to get a seat at the table may not be easy, but it will be worth the sweat to be able to break through the proverbial glass ceiling. And in doing so, you will inspire other women to do the same.
join