How to develop key skills to be a good leader

Do you have ambition to sit in the C-suite? According to Harvard Business Review it takes an average of 24-years from your first job to reach the dizzying heights of a c-level position. You’d like to think that once you’ve been handed the keys to the door, you simply step in, pick up the reigns and get on with the task at hand. But the reality is quite different:

• Nearly 9 in 10 (87%) managers wish they’d received more training before being asked to lead.
• Nearly 6 in 10 (58%) managers claim to have received no management training.
• Only 4 in 10 (38%) managers believe training programmes meet their needs.

Take responsibility for your career path

Often it’s the case that people do a good job and over time receive promotions, which help them to climb the corporate ladder. It’s taken for granted that they possess the skills to lead and manage others - like decisiveness, team building, problem solving, and the ability to teach and mentor.

Rather than simply tread each step of the corporate ladder, take the time to form a strategic plan and map out your career.

Knowing where you need to get to allows you to take ownership of your career. You gain the confidence to enter/exit roles, and know what you need to achieve within each, because they serve a specific purpose in your journey. It may even lead you to consider taking positions you wouldn’t necessarily think of, or accept roles you don’t typically enjoy, because they grant the opportunity for you to acquire certain skills and gain valuable experience.

Also, it gives you time to find out what the job is really like and be certain that your career ambition is right for you - can you imagine spending 24-years working towards a goal that turns out to be wrong on day one?

Every great journey starts with a first step

For you

Be part of something bigger, join BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT.

At BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, we help our 60,000+ members to achieve their career ambitions. With access to the right CPD tools, networking events and ongoing support, we can help you to create a strategic plan that puts you on the path to accelerate your career, and keep your skills fresh in the process.

If you’re an ambitions IT professional, you couldn’t make a smarter move than to sign up for BCS membership. As a member you stake your claim to being a person of note within the industry, signalling your intention to not just do a great job, but be important to the sector’s future progress. All our members have signed up to our Code of Conduct:

• You make IT for everyone.
• Show what you know, learn what you don’t.
• Respect the organisation or individual you work for.
• Play your part in the profession, help others to do the same.

In return, we promise to deliver a package of extraordinary benefits...

CPD tools

Our members gain access to a range of support to improve their skills and accelerate their career path. These include a CV builder tool and CV 360 evaluation, an industry skills framework, personal development log, professional registration pathways to chartered status, and 1,000+ e-learning courses.

Networking events

Build your expertise and access the latest thinking by joining one of our events and webinars. You can also gain specific help from one of our mentors. And we welcome you to connect with other professionals in our active community through our regional branches or 50 special interest groups.

Ongoing support

BCS is here to back you every step of the way, as well as elevate your reputation in the industry. We invite you to share thought leadership with our community through speaking opportunities, articles and contributing to ITNOW. As well as help influence Government consultations.