""I think it's about making connections with people that you like and admire," he said. "For 10 or 15 years at the beginning of my career, I made sure I was at conferences listening to people." As he climbed into senior positions, Panayi told ZDNET, he looked for opportunities outside his comfort zone to prove his leadership credentials. One of Panayi's most crucial development opportunities was taking on non-executive positions -- with UK energy regulator Ofgem since 2020, and media company Reach since 2021."
""Those positions really gave me perspective, because I was quite narrow," he said. "All I'd ever done was data. I felt like I wasn't rounded enough, and being around the board table, contributing as a board member, forced me to consider other things." Panayi advised other next-generation leaders to look for similar opportunities, whether that's a non-executive role, a trustee at a charity, or a governor at a school or college."
Traditional career ladders are crumbling in an age of AI and this is limiting opportunities to progress into management. Professionals moving into senior leadership must prove worthiness for responsibility by expanding skills, demonstrating commercial thinking, and showing humility. Making connections and attending conferences raises visibility and provides exposure to diverse perspectives. Taking roles outside one's comfort zone, such as non-executive positions, trusteeships, or school governors, builds broader business perspective. Board table experience forces consideration of non-technical issues and helps leaders become more rounded. Seeking unusual opportunities and demonstrating trusted, capable stewardship increase chances of advancing to senior roles.
Read at ZDNET
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