Boss’s Day, observed on 16 October this year, is about recognising the role that managers and leaders play in the workplace. But it is also a good day to remember that every worker is the “boss” of their career and can take ownership of their own growth, advancement and, to some extent, their working conditions.
Starting your own business or becoming a freelancer is one obvious route to becoming your own boss. But even if you work in formal employment and report to a manager, you can assume leadership of your career. This means having an entrepreneurial mindset: taking control of your career and having a plan for where it goes.
Rather than seeing career progression as something that happens to you, you will continually look for opportunities and plan the next move. You think constantly about how to build skills, win responsibilities and get to the next level in your career. An entrepreneurial approach to your career means you are constantly increasing your capabilities.
A good starting point is to ask yourself: What do I want to be known for? What am I particularly good at? Which problems can I solve better than most people? And what skills or experience do I need to develop to get to the next level? Your answers form the foundation of your professional reputation and your value.
You can have a manager and still be your own boss
Leading your career, even when someone else leads the team, is about knowing what you want from your working life, understanding what you bring to the table and the value you can add, setting boundaries that protect your wellbeing and making deliberate choices about the employers you work for and the roles that you take on.
This does not mean you necessarily need to climb the corporate ladder or become a manager or business leader if that is not what you want from your life. Some of the most successful ‘bosses’ are people who work on prestigious projects and command high salaries because they have specialised skills.
Others have made decisions that allow them to save and retire early, or to have more time and flexibility to spend with their families. These examples show that you can, by making the right choices, be an employee without handing over control of your career, your priorities or your personal life to your employer.
While your boss might manage your workload, you should still have a say in what a successful, sustainable working life looks like for you. Early in your career or after a long stretch of unemployment, you might have less control. But the long-term goal is to work towards building a career where you create mutual benefit with the organisations you work for.
Know what you want and work towards it
The starting point is to know what you want from your career. Is it career progression, flexibility, meaningful work, financial security, supportive leadership or more time for life outside the office? Setting these priorities will help you make career decisions that bring you closer to your goals, rather than simply accepting the next job offer that comes along.
It is also worth remembering that these priorities may change as your circumstances evolve. For example, becoming a parent might make flexibility more important than opportunities to travel for work, while improved financial security through a partner sharing household expense could mean that pursuing a promotion becomes less of a priority. Similarly, deciding to further your studies might shift your focus towards gaining new skills and experience, even if it means prioritising a learning opportunity over a higher salary. Regularly reassessing what matters most to you can help ensure that your career choices continue to reflect your goals and circumstances.
When you are applying for new opportunities, you should seek out managers and workplaces that work for you. Beyond the job title and salary, you will want to find a workplace that meets your needs, aligns with your values and respects your boundaries. If you get an interview, remember that you are assessing a potential employer as much as they are evaluating you.
The right fit should allow you to contribute meaningfully without compromising the things that matter to you. Some of the key factors you should explore when the company interviews you are the management style, workplace culture, expectations around availability outside of working hours and how the company supports work-life balance.
Consider:
- Does the role build on your strengths while giving you opportunities to develop?
- Does it resonate with your aspirations?
- Will you gain experience that makes you more valuable in future?
- Does the company’s culture and way of working suit you?
- Can you see yourself learning from the people around you?
- Does the role take you towards the kind of career you ultimately want?
- Will you achieve the balance you seek between earning power and career advancement on the one hand and time for family, friends and personal interests on the other?
Parting thoughts
You do not have to own the company to take ownership of your career. You do not have to manage a team to practise self-leadership. You do not have to be self-employed to define success on your own terms. It is within your reach to build skills, experience and references that allow you to call the shots in your career.
If you currently feel stuck in a role where your potential is frustrated, you are underpaid or your boundaries are disrespected, you can make positive changes. One option is to register with a job portal to track job opportunities that align with your needs. You can sign up for Job Alerts, sent directly to your inbox. This could be your first step towards finding your dream role.
