Leading from the Bottom

As with many young professionals, your career usually commences with an entry level position. Entry level positions are oftentimes perceived unimportant because you believe you are coasting through attempting to become familiar with the company accompanied with a fear that no one values your opinion. Although you perceive that you are at the bottom of the “power” chain, your actions often shape your career progression for the future. Here are a few tips to help you become a leader from the bottom:

1.     You Cannot Be Heard If You Do Not Speak.

If you do not open your mouth to contribute, it becomes extremely difficult to be recognized as an effective contributor. Being the new person or underdog does not deem your opinions insignificant. Some people spend months or even years in silence during trainings and larger meetings at companies and go unnoticed. When it comes to African American women the in workplace, they are likely the minority which potentially leads to the feeling of isolation. Within the context of Latina, Leslie Gonzales and colleagues state that “their frequent solo status makes them hypervisible and at the same time invisible and the hypervisibility often leads to their tokenization in the workplace”.[1] This is the same case with Black women suggesting that not speaking up can influence tokenization. Whether it is a corporate meeting or a faculty meeting, your contributions are a necessity. Instead of sitting silently through meetings reluctant to speak because of a fear of being wrong, prepare to speak on what you know, which leads to the next point.

2.     Know and Master Your Role.

Regardless of how low you feel you are on the totem pole at your institution or company, know your role better than anyone else. When you read job descriptions during the application process, you often come across a section describing the roles and responsibilities of the position. This section may range from 3 to 13 bullet points depending on the needs of the company. Learning the roles and responsibilities of your position in addition to developing and perfecting them is essential to effectiveness which leads to success. Only until mastering your position, can you become a leader in your company. In doing so, your knowledge will be the totem of effectiveness. Just remember, starting from a nadir does not mean you have reached a nadir, nor does it mean you will stay there. 

3.     Plan to Lead.

In order to be an effective contributor you must plan. If you know the topics of the upcoming strategic meeting, research those topics, find as much data possible from previous years and learn it. Though new, this will make you an informed employee which will lead to relevant conversation when the opportunity arises. After gathering information, attempt to share your ideas in meetings with others when necessary. This does not mean dominating a meeting or presenter, nor does this suggest forcing your ideas on other, but make your suggestions known in order to be credited for them. If there is a time for remarks, use it to lead. Always remember to prepare yourself even if you have to tell your ideas to a significant other as practice before the meeting. Saying your ideas aloud will prepare you when you share them in the boardroom.  

A Quote of Inspiration

1. “You don’t need a title to be a leader.” –Multiple Attributions