QUESTION: There are many seniors in the team and I will not be promoted quickly.
REALITY: The focus should be on learning from seniors before seeking a transfer to a team where you can be a senior.
its normal for people to aspire for the numero uno position in a team. Everyone likes to be heard, respected and followed. When someone moves from an environment where he has enjoyed attention to a place where he does not, he might feel ‘low’. Over a period, he either makes the adjustment to come to terms with this situation, or he works towards making his position visible in the team. If he fails, then he has to move on and find a place where he gets due recognition.
If a junior is in a team of seniors who are good thinkers and executioners, then he can learn quite a lot. He can learn multiple ways of looking Into a problem and arriving at a workable solution. He can also validate his knowledge and experience during this time. However, it is detrimental to be in a company, team or circle where it is not possible to learn anything from senior colleagues. Even as a team leader, one can always learn from other members of the team; one also needs to expand one’s learning circle by interacting with more cross-functional teams and getting a wider perspective on problem-solving. Leading and learning go hand in hand.
A big fish in a small pond might be happy, but in a bigger pond, he might not feel as influential. It is Important to learn and grow rather than just want to be successful in narrowly defined boundaries. The alarm bell should always ring when you enter your comfort zone.
WHAT CAN YOU DO As THE EMPLOYEE? You should not fall into the trap of choosing a role or a job that is perceived as enjoying a higher status, but one where there’s no learning. You should learn from your seniors in order to ensure that your foundation in your subject-matter becomes strong. Now, if after a number of years, your leadership skills are not improving due to your senior colleagues, then you could look for a change. But the process of learning should not stop in the new position. Sometimes, in a new environment, you might not succeed; and that is because your existing skills-are not adequate. You need to put in extra effort to learn to be successful in this role. When faced with a chance of promotion, it’s better that you do not hurry and prematurely take up a role for which you are not fit,
WHAT CAN YOU DO AS THE MANAGER? You should be firm in turning down the request of an employee for a leading role if he is not ready. Many employees come under social pressure and seek such a role, but as the manager, It is your responsibility to provide this opportunity only when you are convinced, even if the employee threatens to leave. You should encourage people to grow in ‘skills’ rather than in ‘labels’, so that the growth is permanent. You, need to provide opportunities to at least a few within the team so that they can learn the skills required for the next level If you find that a person is ready and you cannot provide him with a larger role due to a top-heavy team, then you should be honest and admit it, You could suggest multiple options to the employee, including a transfer to other teams for a senior position.
