To succeed in your career, you need to think ahead and make strategic moves that help you reach your long-term goals. Much like chess, you have a variety of moves available to you on a chessboard – you can move forward, sideways, backwards, or on the diagonal. All of these moves have merit depending on personal and professional circumstances.  At the right time in your life, a step backwards or sideways can be an outstanding career move. 

Careers very rarely move in a linear fashion all the time.  

Have a long-term vision. In chess, you need to have a long-term view of where you want to position your pieces to win the game. In your career, you need to have a long-term view of where you want to be in five or even ten years time. This will help you make strategic moves that align with your long-term goals. 

Think two moves ahead. While I loathe the question, “Where do you want to be in five years’ time?” I do want to know what the next move after this one is likely to be. In chess, you need to think two or three moves ahead to anticipate your opponent’s next move and plan your strategy accordingly.

With regard to career planning, if you think two moves ahead, you can be open to a move that will help you reach your career goal that may not have been anticipated, but it is the right opportunity that can lead to a clear advantage in the near future. This means being prepared for any obstacles that come your way, whether it’s a tricky office politics situation or the delight of an unexpected promotion. Thinking two moves ahead means you are better prepared for an obstacle or a quick move that will accelerate your career. 

Be adaptable. In chess, you need to be adaptable and adjust your strategy as the game progresses. Similarly, in your career, adaptability, solving problems efficiently and adjusting your strategy as your career progresses are paramount. This means being open to new opportunities, taking on new challenges, and learning new skills that will help you reach your long-term goals. It also means the ability to be patient at the right time is a strategic move. Just as a move sideways can be a significant career accelerator by adding more breadth to your skill set to position you for the role that you are seeking in the future.   

Network strategically. In chess, you need to control the centre of the board to have an advantage over your opponent. In your career, you need to be in the “centre of the action” to network, be mentored and be visible in the company. This provides a strategic advantage over your peers. Building relationships with people who can help advance your career, such as sponsors, mentors, colleagues, and industry experts is essential. 

Know your strengths. In chess, each piece has its own strengths and weaknesses. Similarly, in your career, you need to focus on your strengths and leverage them to advance your career. This means identifying your unique skills and talents and finding opportunities that allow you to use them to your advantage. Just like in chess, your ultimate goal is to become a queen (or king) on the board when thinking about your career. The beauty of your career is you can convert some of your weaknesses to strengths by investing your time in education, training and on-the-job experience. Your weakness, in this instance, is not a permanent state of being. 

Managing your career is like playing chess – make some well-thought-through strategic moves that can help you reach your career goals faster. Just remember to calmly think through any career move and avoid any “rookie” mistakes like jumping at a role just because you can earn more money.