How far can I go in this company? Often it depends on how much of one ability you either have or can develop.

• Author: Wiesner, Pat

Often it depends how much of one ability you either have or can develop.

It's an interesting phenomenon. While the quality workers in a company wonder where their skills and effort will take them, management speculates at the other end of the building as to just where the next batch of promotable people will come from. If you think it's hard getting up the ladder, I can tell you that it seems twice as hard finding those who can move up a rung.

For sure, good careers exist in inventing and producing new products -- especially in today's world where Internet and cyberspace ideas seem to explode into mountains of money. And then there have to be departments to bill for and count the money, and they need leaders and managers. Of course there will be sales and marketing groups to see that the piles of money keep coming and keep growing. And then there are buildings and factories, and the people who make them tick - engineers and engineering facilities, etc., etc., etc.

Near or at the top of this heap of people is top management. What most of us would think are the best jobs. At least the best paying jobs in a company.

So if you didn't start the company, how do you get through all these levels to one of the really good jobs at the top? What's the secret? How do you know if you have the right stuff? Is there anything special that these guys look for?

There is, in my opinion, one characteristic that is far more sought after than any other, yet it can be defined in a simple sentence that almost everyone can readily understand. It's an ability that is easily recognized and defined but seemingly scarce when upper management is looking for it in up-and-coming troops.

It is simply this: the ability to grow other people.

Are you good at this? Is this one of your values? Do you enjoy being part of some other capable person getting ahead?

Or are you one of those sadly misinformed people who think that the way to the top is to get the spotlight on yourself? Do you share credit or take it? Do you share ideas or do you...