©Ralph Jean-Paul

We’ve all felt that we were in a dead end in our career at one point or another. The work force is designed so that the employees work in a system that generates income for the company. In the system in which each individual business operates, it is common for those employees to get lost in the shuffle. Most of them often fell like there is a glass ceiling that is preventing them from advancing. This is why most end up switching from job to job or (in a trend that is becoming more popular) starting their own business.

Perhaps the possibility of success in a career lies in the boldness of the individual. There are many ways to get ahead in the corporate world. Some involve backstabbing, kissing up, or lying. You can also get there by working harder, smarter and better than everyone else. For those of you who think you are qualified enough at your job to handle a promotion, there are several bold and daring ways to stand out, get your boss’s attention, and get you promoted. The only down side to some of these tactics is that they may also get you fired. And I mean fast. The risk factor is high but the reward may be sweet.

Here are some of the common ways that might help you advance in your career

Never be late and never call out- It’s hard to never do anything but managers look at this when promotion time comes around

Be willing to do more-Going that extra mile can get you where you want be

Have the right attitude-Being a positive person can influence those who are above you

Learn new skills-Educating yourself and adding new skills can give you an advantage over other candidates

Easy enough right? So let’s say you’ve had it with your job and you want to be let go so you can collect some “out of work” money. Here are some things that should definitely get you fired.

Constant internet surfing

Procrastinate on everything

Take personal calls and make long-distance calls

Make your clients and customers really mad

Show up late and leave early

Walking the thin line

So what happens when an employee is doing a good job and all that is expected of them for their position? That person will either accept that they may never get the position they desire or they will seek another job where success is more likely. I’ve learned that the grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence.

The best thing to do is to make a goal for yourself and work hard until you reach that career goal. But maybe you’re tired of waiting and feel that if you don’t take action then you’ll be stuck in the same position forever. Here are some ways to get some kind of reaction from your superiors.

Talk to Your boss like you’re the boss

It may sometimes seem that managers, leaders, and executives speak their own language? The reason it may seem this way is because they do. The good one’s anyway. If you were to walk into a office and joined in on a group of people that were in the middle of a conversation, it would not take you long to figure out which ones were the leaders.

 A good leader should be the most knowledgeable. They should know what the mission and goals are for the company and they should know what everyone else’s role is in order to complete that mission. Since they should be fully aware of these things, they often remind everyone else what the goals are and what their roles are.

If you want to start talking to your boss like you’re the boss, start doing what they are doing. When you are presenting an issue to them make sure you remind them what the goals of the company are and the roles of everyone, including what your boss’s role is. This may be very difficult to do without making it sound like you are saying that your boss isn’t doing his or her job. However, if you come across as a positive source of input and understanding towards them and their position, you may be looked at as a possible candidate for a promotion.

Make executive decisions

What this means is making a decision that must be made but you are not the one authorized to make it. This is a huge risk because if it doesn’t turn out the way you want it to, the first question will be “who authorized you to make this decision?” At this point, depending on how bad you messed up, your future is hanging in the balance.

On the other hand, if you make the right decision, the you've just displayed great judgment and leadership potential. Taking initiative and making a call that you had no business making, shows the type of boldness and confidence found in successful people. I’ve been in this situation a few times and have gotten on some supervisor’s bad side for stepping out of line. But they can’t argue with results so make sure you make the right decision and be ready to accept the outcome of that decision.

Challenge authority

The outcome of this maneuver will probably depend on what kind of standing you have with your managers. If you are a valued employee that they would love to have working there for many years to come, then asking questions and disagreeing with them will not be a huge deal. However, if you are evolving into a troublemaker and denouncing every order and request that is made, then be prepared to take some time off. Mangers and leaders will sometimes get nervous when one of the peons shows some guts. If you are in a working environment where growth and independence is frowned upon, then this will make you more of a threat to your bosses than a potential leader.

But when you’re right, you’re right. If you are challenging your authority figures in an attempt to better your position, the company, and those whom you work with, then it is going to be hard for anyone not to respect that. It’s ok to say no to your bosses if you have a better win-win solution to a problem or procedure. If you are trying to get a promotion, be very careful of how you present the challenge. Choose your words, voice tone, and demeanor with caution because even if you meant well, your challenge could still be taken the wrong way.

Blatantly look for another job

Leverage is an important business and negotiating tool. If you are a vital component to your team of employees, then losing you to another job is not an option for your bosses. Although in reality, in the workforce, we are all expendable. But the hassle of finding and training another employee may be enough of a deterrent that your company will do what is necessary to keep you on.

Timing may also be a factor in the outcome of this maneuver. If you decide to make the fact that you may be seeking employment elsewhere during a crucial time for the company, you might have some leverage. Especially if you are a vital member of the project that you are working on. However, if they were considering letting some people go, and you flagrantly announce that you are looking for another job, then you’ve practically volunteered to be fired.

If the promotion thing does not work out, here is a site that can help you find another job.