“People don't know what you’re thinking. You have to have the courage to go tell them." Key Moments 03:46 Typecasting in the Workplace 06:02 Taking Opportunities for Career Advancement 08:33 Proactive Pursuit of Career Goals 10:54 Preparing for a Career Discussion with Your Boss 13:48 Supervisors Should Focus on Your Career Goals. Resources The Cockerell Academy About Lee Cockerell Mainstreet Leader Ask For Your Next Opportunity If you want to advance in your career there are times that you need the courage to ask for the opportunities you're seeking. Don’t let yourself continue to feel stuck or typecast in your role. The best way to shift toward your next opportunity is by making yourself visible and showing your value to leadership. Often, employees assume their hard work will automatically be recognized and rewarded. The reality is that it’s not always the case. It is crucial to be proactive about your aspirations. Have an open conversation with your leader about your career goals. Let them know where you envision yourself within the organization and beyond. That will increase the likelihood of creating that next big break for yourself. In the meantime it is necessary to work on developing a parallel plan. If you've been locked in the same role for a long time, then start to explore and confirm opportunities elsewhere. Seeing other roles will give you reassurance that can provide the courage needed to discuss career progression. It may even prompt a change if progress within the current organization isn't feasible. Meanwhile, managers need to be more observant and proactive with their team members' career progression. Have regular career discussions and encourage an open-dialogue. That can prevent the loss of valuable team members who feel unnoticed or unappreciated. It's not only about what you can do for your team, but also about recognizing what your team can do for the organization with the right opportunities. Remember, it's not just about showing up. It's about standing out! Don't wait to be noticed. Take the initiative, demonstrate your value, and ask for the opportunities you want. Speaking of opportunities, don’t miss the opportunity to be part of 'Creating Disney Magic' history. Sign up to join Lee, Jody, and the rest of the community by heading over to leecockerell.com/500 and registering for the live recording of episode 500! Make sure you reach out to Magical Vacation Planners. Let them plan your next vacation. You can reach them at 407-442-2694.