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Learn the age at which many bosses obtained their positions – and how you can prepare for a leadership role.
If you’re looking to advance your career to the point where you’re leading a team, when should you expect to achieve that goal? For many ambitious young workers, there’s likely no need to rush, as research suggests many bosses are a bit older before they step into a leadership role. This means younger workers who aspire to lead should spend their early careers developing the self-discipline and leadership skills needed to become the best boss they can be while seizing opportunities to prove their worth.
On average, people need about three years of professional experience to become a manager, on top of the time it takes to earn a degree, go through formal training or get a certificate. Considering that most education programs and certification courses span at least a few years, it’s common for people to require six to eight years of formal education and work experience before becoming a boss.
That said, there is no one-size-fits-all path to becoming a leader. It takes time to develop the skills you need to perform well at your job. No matter your industry, you’ll need to get comfortable with all kinds of processes and requirements before you can confidently lead other people and earn respect from your employees. That might be why, according to research from Zippia, 65% of bosses are at least 40 years old. Of course, there are plenty of younger and older bosses as well.
How well your education background will benefit your career goals depends on the industry in which you operate and how well the skills you learn during your education translate to the work. There are business owners and managers with experience in just about every field of study. However, there are some degrees that tend to be more popular among people who are now leaders in their companies.
Based on Zippia’s research, business degrees were the most popular among people who are bosses today, with 23% of bosses holding one. General studies, criminal justice and communication were the next three most popular majors among bosses in their current workplaces.
Zippia also found that higher education significantly boosts your chances of becoming a boss; the survey found that 37.3% of bosses have at least a bachelor’s degree, while 26.7% of bosses have only a high school diploma. Interestingly, though, only 5.6% of bosses held a master’s degree, suggesting that more higher education isn’t always better.
Even if you have all the education, skills and experience, leading other people requires more than just being good at your job. Below are some ways to develop leadership skills that can help you be a great leader.
To cultivate effective leadership skills, take some time to think about your short- and long-term career goals. From there, you can look for a mentor who can guide you as you work toward your goals. Consider reaching out to your current manager, another leader within your company or someone you look up to professionally.
Try to connect with someone who has the type of leadership role you want to hold. Once you’ve identified this person (or people), you can ask them to share some advice and train you in key skills.
Many people need the earlier years of their careers to learn and hone the skills needed to be effective leaders. However, there’s no specific age (or age range) that’s perfect for becoming a boss. It’s more about making sure you’ve mastered key leadership skills. As you set goals for your path toward becoming a boss, try to be realistic about what you want to achieve. This way, you’re setting yourself up for long-term growth that’s sustainable for you – and productive for your future staff members.