Prologue

The laments of a few middle-level managers in the Indian industries

“I feel I am at stuck in my career as Divisional Sales Manager in my organization. A couple of years later I may be designated as a Senior Divisional Manager but by job responsibilities will not change. I feel that my goal of becoming a C-level professional is going farther and farther away. I am not clear on what are the next steps for me to develop for the C-Suite responsibility.”
– Nilesh C. (Divisional Sales Manager in a FMCD company)

“I have worked successfully as a brand manager, group brand manager and for the last eight years I am stuck as deputy marketing manager. I feel I am ready to take on the next challenge: Advancing to the C-Suite. But why do my bosses and the HRD does not feel so?”
– Dipali M. (Deputy Marketing Manager in Pharma India)

“I have been with this MNC for over a decade. I joined this company as a sales representative and in less than 13 years I became the National Sales Manager. I am still rotting in this position for the last 11 years. The management appreciates my contributions and middle-level leadership qualities. But I haven’t been able to make further progress. Now I see myself as ‘a performer once, a piece of furniture now’.”
– Divya T. (National Sales Manager in a White Goods company)

(Names changed to protect privacy)

Such stories abound in our business sectors. What is it that’s necessary to get out of this stalemate and break into the C-Suite? Of course, the higher you go, the space decreases, but are you really ready to reach there?

The rewards and the accolades are for your good work done in your current position. Success in today’s job is not an assurance for future C-Suite roles. It is not uncommon for mid-level managers to experience the glass ceiling effect beyond a point.

Clearly, what made you a middle-level manager will not lead you to the C-Suite. And if you are one such hapless mid-level manager, groping in the dark, this book is for you.

Has the Peter’s Principle come into play and led to the stagnation of your career as a middle level manager? Maybe yes, but most probably no. This could be because you have not been able to find a mentor. Or you may not be prepared for the new challenges expected in the C-Suite when you are a mid-level manager. Breaking into C-Suite role requires you to be thoroughly prepared for it.

This book will certainly help all middle-level managers in the Indian business sector, whether you are in engineering goods manufacturing, finance, human resources or marketing, to prepare for the new role ahead. At the end of this book, you will be mentally prepared to enter the C-Suite.
This book has been inspired by many thought leaders.

Cover Design - Haresh Raut and Janhvi Raut of Spectrawide