Many people dream of reaching the upper tier of leadership where strategy, influence, and authority come together. But let’s face it. The path to those coveted positions is anything but easy. It is a journey filled with hurdles, setbacks, and moments of doubt. I’ve been there myself, and I’ve supported many talented professionals along the way. It is anything but smooth.

Senior leadership isn’t just about doing great work. What sets apart those who succeed is beyond their experience and skills, or their hard work and dedication. It is largely their strategic mindset to their personal success, their resilience, and ability to build relationships that will propel them forward. At those senior executive levels, perseverance, courage, adaptability and purpose are the minimum requirements to climbing and staying up there.

 

A Personal Reflection

One story that stays with me is Aisha’s route to the top. She was a mid-level manager with big ambitions who often felt overlooked in the large organisation she was working. Aisha had the courage, skills and the right credentials, to step into what was obviously her next senior leadership role but lacked visibility beyond her team. She didn’t know how to get past it. Together we worked together and devised a plan to shift her perspective and approach.

Aisha started aligning herself with the company’s broader objectives. She rolled out projects which improved her department’s performance and caught the attention of senior leaders. Aisha began to gain confidence to talk about her achievements with colleagues and others. She got even more comfortable to expand her network beyond her immediate team. Her efforts earned her recognition with the top executives and inspired her team to take greater ownership.

The Real Deal Breaker

Aisha did not land the promotion she was aiming because of organisational politics. Aisha was understandably devastated but she had to remain focus on her ultimate goal.  Eventually she secured a role two levels higher than her anticipated promotion, with fantastic benefits. I remember the sense of achievement on her first day as Regional Director. It remains truly unforgettable to me.

Her journey to the top highlights the true essence of leadership advancement, which stresses:

• The courage to carve your own path
• The willingness to grow through challenges
• The resilience to turn setbacks into stepping stones

Beyond skills and experience, climbing to the top is about seizing opportunities and continuously believing that you can push through your limitations and external boundaries. Getting to the top is within your reach.

Remember that every step you take today builds the foundation for tomorrow’s success.

All you need to do is start.