Members of Gen Z — or those born between 1997 and 2012 — are eager to climb the corporate ladder. A majority, 70% say they're looking to reach the C-suite, according to a September 2023 Adobe survey of 1,011 members of the generation.
Whether you're part of Gen Z or not, there are all sorts of ways to reach the heights of leadership. If you ask Ryan Simonetti, CEO of hospitality company Convene, which has raised more than $280 million in funding, it's about taking on projects beyond the scope of your role — especially when your company is in a bind.
When an opportunity to take on new and pressing work arises, "put your hand up," he says.
'There's never enough people to do the jobs'
When it comes to organizations that are constantly growing, like startups, "there's never enough people to do the jobs," says Simonetti, who spoke to CNBC Make It at the Fast Company Innovation Festival. But "if you put your hand up and take an initiative, take a stretch project," he says, you're helping the organization solve problems in real time. That's exactly what it needs from its workforce.
Not only does volunteering in such a way offer critical help, it gives you an opportunity to learn and accrue more skills. The people who've raised their hands at Convene have consistently continued learning, says Simonetti, "and that's created opportunities for them professionally."
It's that "I want to learn, I'm curious, and I'm willing to do the work attitude" that "has paid real dividends" for people at his company, says Simonetti. Especially for young people.
'There's two parts of being a leader'
There's another component to taking on more responsibility that helps you climb that corporate ladder: It proves you're a dedicated teammate.
"There's two parts of being a leader," says Djenaba Parker, general counsel and chief people officer at Goop. "It's being a good leader and being a good teammate." Good teammates look at their organization's needs and just "do more," she says. They see where critical gaps need to be filled and help fill them. This takes work off of their colleagues' plates and helps everyone move forward together.
When you raise your hand "with collaboration and with intention, you really garner the respect of people around you," she says. Including by the higher ups making hiring and promotion decisions.
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