There's a golden rule to career progression in the building industry (or any other industry for that matter); PERFORMANCE PRECEDES REWARDS. If you want to advance your career you simply have to show the willingness to do more than you get paid for and show that you are capable of performing a role or taking on responsibilities beyond your current pay grade. Once you have shown your capabilities you become more valued by your employer and you are then in turn rewarded accordingly.
This is a simple idea but it’s amazing how many times I've heard people say; I don't get paid for that, or when I get paid for that then I'll do it............. It's never going to happen; you will never get paid to fill an important role without first proving your worth!
So why all the resistance? Because stepping up is hard, it takes commitment and dedication, it means staying back to finish the project even when you don't get paid for it, or making that tough phone call, or important decision that nobody else is willing to make. It means becoming a leader instead of running with the pack, and most of all it means stretching yourself beyond your comfort zone!
It's hard yes, but the payoffs by far out-weight the work and once you get used to stretching and working outside of your comfort zone you find it becomes uncomfortable rather than scary!
For a more in depth guide to becoming a leader take a look at this.
