Breaking the Glass Ceiling

You can break through.

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Do you feel that you've gone as far 

as you can with your current 

employer?

 Despite knowing that you 

have much more potential, is there a

 limit for "people like you" in your 

organization?

If so, you've hit what's known as the "glass ceiling." This is 

the point at which you can clearly see the next 

level of promotion – yet, despite your best effort, an invisible

 barrier seems to stop you from proceeding.

Traditionally, the glass ceiling was a concept applied to 

women and some minorities. It was very hard, if not 

impossible, for them to reach upper management positions. 

No matter how qualified or experienced, they simply were

 not given opportunities to further advance their careers.

Today, there are many more women and minorities in

 powerful positions. However, the glass ceiling is still very 

real. And it's not always limited to gender or race.

Have you been pushed up against a glass ceiling? This can 

happen for many different reasons. Are you too much the 

champion of change? Do you have difficulty communicating 

your ideas? Are you quieter and less outgoing than the 

people who get promotions?

Whatever the reason, you have a choice. You can accept 

your situation and be happy with looking up and not being 

able to touch what you see, or you can smash the glass with 

purpose and determination.

If you do, indeed, want to break through that glass, here are 

some steps to take.

Identify the Key Competencies within Your Organization

Key competencies are the common skills and attributes of 

the people in your company's upper levels. These skills are 

often tied closely to the organization's culture and vision.

Companies that value innovation and strive to be leaders will 

probably promote individuals who are outgoing, risk takers, 

and not afraid to "tell it like it is." However, if you work for a 

conservative company (such as a publicly owned utility) 

chances are that top management are analytical thinkers, 

with a reputation for avoiding risk and making careful 

decisions.

Ask yourself these questions:

• What are the values of your organization?
• 
  
• What behaviors does your company value and reward?
• 
  
• What type of person is promoted?
• 
  

Understand what sets your company and its leaders apart.

This is the first step toward discovering how to position 

yourself for a top leadership role.

  .

Two universal competencies for top 

management are effective leadership 

and effective communication. Each of 

these is complex.

• Read everything you can about 
• leadership styles, skills, and 
• attributes. 
• 
  
• Communication skills will help you, 
• regardless of the level you want to 
• reach in your career. 

Set Objectives to Align Your Competencies with Top 

Management

Once you know your target, set goals to get there. You're

 responsible for determining your own career direction. Be 

proactive and go after what you want, because it probably 

won't be handed to you.

Do the following:

• Let your boss know that you want to work toward a 
• higher-level position.
• 
  
• Ask your boss what skill areas you need to develop.
• Work together with your boss to set goals and objectives,
•  then monitor and measure your performance.

Remember to concentrate on areas of 

your performance that you can improve.

 Don't set a goal to achieve a certain 

position by a certain time. This can be

 discouraging if it doesn't happen. For 

example, set a goal to consistently 

demonstrate assertive and clear 

communication. If you achieve that goal, 

no matter what job title you have, you've 

succeeded! 

Build Your Network

You should also build relationships with other people in your

 organization. You never know who may be in a position to

 help you or provide you with valuable information.

It's important to network in all areas and levels of your 

company. Many people tend to think it's best to make friends

 at the top. However, to be effective and actually make it to 

the top, you'll need the support of colleagues at other levels 

as well.

Try these tips:

• Reach out to new people on a regular basis.
• Get involved with cross-functional teams.
• Expand your professional network outside of your 
• organization. If you can't break the glass ceiling in your 
• company, you may have to look elsewhere for 
• opportunities.

Use the climate in your organization to 

your advantage. While "politicking" is 

often seen as negative, you can help 

your career by understanding and using 

the political networks in your company. 

Find a Mentor

Having a mentor is a powerful way to break through the glass

 ceiling. The barriers that you face have likely been there for 

a long time. Past practices, biases and stereotypes, and old 

ideas are often long established at the top of many

organizations.

Is upper management reluctant to work with certain types of 

individuals? Do they exclude certain people from important 

communications? A mentor can help you learn how to get 

connected to the information and people who can help you. 

A mentor can also be a great source of ideas for your 

professional development and growth.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Is there someone in upper management you can 
• approach to help you?
• Will your boss be able to provide mentoring support?
• Are there people with strong political power who can offer
•  you assistance?

Build Your Reputation

Ultimately, the way to get ahead is to get noticed. You want 

people to see your competence, leadership abilities, 

communication skills, technical knowledge, and any other 

competencies that are typical of people at the top.

Develop your skills and network with people so that your 

name becomes associated with top management potential. 

To do this, you need to build a reputation as the kind of 

person who fits the description of top management. Visibility 

is very important. Remember, while you can see up, those at 

the top can see down. Make sure that what they see is you!

Follow these guidelines:

• Seek high-profile projects.
• Speak up and contribute in meetings.
• Share ideas with peers as well as people in higher positions.
• Identify places where your reputation is not what you
•  want it to be, and develop plans to change them.

Know Your Rights

Finally, watch for discriminatory behavior. Sometimes biases

 and stereotyping can cross the line into discrimination. It's 

unfortunate for both you and your organization when 

situations like this occur.

Don't just accept frustration and failure. Know that you're 

doing everything right, and arm yourself with a good

understanding of your rights regarding official company 

policies and local laws.

Key Points

To get ahead and reach the leadership 

level you want, you need to champion 

and market yourself. That means 

proactively managing every step of your 

career. If you can't seem to break 

through a glass ceiling, you might have 

to work harder than others.

We can't all be exactly the type of upper 

management person our company 

wants. What we can do is develop the 

skills that the company values. Arm 

yourself with a development plan as well

 as the help of your boss, a strong 

network, and, hopefully, a mentor. You 

can then build and showcase the skills 

that will help you climb the corporate 

ladder. Push yourself beyond your 

comfort zone, and you may find new 

zones of opportunity.

Apply This to Your Life

If you're frustrated with your career advancement, consider 

the following:

• Do you have a career plan in place? If you don't, now is 
• the time to make one!
• 
  
• Does your boss, or anyone in your organization, know
•  what your goals are? Unless people know what you 
• want, they may keep you in the same position and 
• assume you're happy there.
• 
  
• Do you feel alone and unsupported in your career goals? 
• If so, who can help you change that? We all need to 
• make our own success, but most people don't succeed 
• all on their own. Ask for support and assistance – this is 
• a sign of strength, not weakness.
• 
  
• What areas for skill development have been pointed out 
• to you in the past? Are you making improvements?
• 
  
• Are you facing a glass ceiling? Recognizing that the 
• ceiling exists is the first step. The ceiling won't be 
• removed unless you do something about it. Apply some 
• of the ideas in this article, and monitor your progress.

This site teaches you the skills you need for a happy and 

successful career.