Hard work to get to the top

16 Jan 2014

A story is always best told by someone who experienced it first-hand. Second-hand stories simply do not have the same credibility. The same is true of management - it is far easier to follow instructions and take guidance from a person who once did what you are now doing than it is from someone who has no practical knowledge of what you do.

Despite the fact that both managers may be qualified to perform in their positions of leadership, the person who personally understands your job on all levels - the challenges, the required effort, the hard and soft skills and the unwritten, unspoken realities, has an undeniable advantage in winning the respect, support and loyalty of their staff. There is no substitute for experience.

If you dream of one day being that manager, that executive, the person in charge, earning the big money, making the decisions, then apply the same thinking and realise that you will have to work for that respect and success, sometimes starting at the bottom.

Sense of entitlement

"There is a growing sense of entitlement amongst the young men and women who register with us," says Kay Vittee, CEO of Quest Staffing Solutions. "Their expectations of positions and remuneration are often unrealistic and not aligned to what they are qualified and experienced to do and to earn."

In contrast to these individuals, those who are eager to get their foot in the door, prepared to start at the bottom, keen to demonstrate their determination and commitment and to work hard always giving of their best, are quickly noticed and promoted.

"In the current unemployment situation, we have hundreds, sometimes thousands of candidates applying for positions. Once the screening process has been completed and we have our short list of eligible candidates, attitude is everything," says Vittee.

No quick route to success

Perhaps it is the modern pop culture punctuated by famous-for-being-famous reality shows and multimillion dollar talent shows such as Idols and X Factor that create the expectation of fast tracking to the top. However, there is no equivalent quick route to success in the working world; it takes hard work and time.

"The best managers and executives are those who have worked their way to the top, developing an understanding and passion for what they do," says Vittee. "Driven by the love for what they do rather than purely motivated by status and money.

"We have many success stories within Quest. Candidates who started out as bank tellers, call centre agents, data capturers or admin assistants who are today our clients - team leaders, supervisors, managers and executives," concludes Vittee. "Clients who have been there and done that."