The most important question for your career

Welcome to the career ladder, your long and arduous upward climb. The metaphor is often associated with the striving, scheming and stepping on or over others to move to a higher place. It’s about your journey to the top, to getting noticed, to find success, to obtain significance. 

We’re all looking to move forward, to grow our career, to rise to new heights. It’s part of our DNA. It’s one of my four laws of contribution. We all want to learn and grow to do more. We want to continually grow in the use of our unique abilities and make an ever broadening impact. We're all on the search for significance. That’s our human journey, that’s okay. 

But elbowing our way up the ladder is counter-productive. Self-interest and being significant are opposing ideas.The traditional mentality of ladder climbing involves a myopic focus on my own well-being and growth. It might feel natural, after all, if I don’t look out for myself then who will, but it’s a trap. It's likely doing more harm than good. The more you focus on yourself, the less useful you are to others, therefore the less impact and influence you have. 

Consider another perspective, one that comes less naturally to us but I believe has much more power to move you forward. What if you asked this one simple question in every situation you find yourself in: How can I add value? Imagine for a moment what that would do. 

What would happen if you changed your perspective of your boss from getting them to notice or support you to one of ‘how can I support them?’. What would happen if you asked “how can I help you accomplish what you need and move your agenda ahead?” How can I add value? And I mean, literally, ask it! Don’t you think they’d notice?

What if your daily water-cooler conversations focused on what you have to offer your colleagues rather than your upcoming weekend plans. What if, while listening to their daily struggles, you said “How can I help?” Your inner voice can be trained to always ask “how can I add value”. 

This is an unnatural focus on others, on giving. It’s attempting to improve their well-being, their security, their prosperity and their effectiveness, at the risk of the time and energy that could be spent on personal brand building. Plus, it might involve unpleasant work. 

One of the best pieces of career advice I ever received was to look for the tasks that no one wants to do and volunteer for them. You’ll get noticed, you’ll build a brand of being helpful, you’ll earn a seat at the table. Afterall, who is your CEO or boss going to call when they’ve got a new project to kick off? They’ll always take the path of least resistance and that will lead them directly to your door because you’re helpful, available and easy to do business with. 

Now, you must be genuine in this. This isn’t reverse psychology or a mind game of manipulation. For this to be truly effective, it must be genuine. For as much as it helps another, it helps you. This continual hunt to add value draws out the very best of you, it leverages your unique skills and strengths. It creates an opportunity for you to bring your best to bear every day and it also puts you in the driver’s seat. Rather than waiting around to be noticed and asked to help, it’s like putting on a life jacket and jumping into the water to save someone. It’s thrilling. 

Beyond that, when you try this, something wakes up inside you. You’ll feel the stirrings of significance and purpose. You’ll awaken pride and self-respect. You’ll get to see the best of you. 

This week, at least once a day, ask: “How can I add value here?” Make the path easy for others and you’ll make the climb easier for yourself. Make this your lifelong career motto and see where it takes you. Try it!