This is why you shouldnt accept a stretch assignment

This is why you shouldnt accept a stretch assignmentThis is why you shouldnt accept a stretch assignmentFour Rules for Accepting a Stretch AssignmentWant to connect to a bigger, bolder vision for your career? Try taking on a stretch assignment A new project, role or task that is beyond your current expertise. Whetherbei its turning around a struggling product or team, automating an inefficient process, or delivering a big presentation to a VIP client, youll rapidly develop new technical, business, or leadership skills.There is towering evidence confirming the power of stretch opportunities. Just ask any experienced leader. Egon Zehnders survey of 823 international executives found that71% of senior leaders said stretch assignments had the biggest impacton unleashing their potential. Also, research from Korn Ferry identifies stretch or rotational assignments asthe most valuable leadership skill-building experience, ahead of action learning, mentoring, relationships, 360 assessments, e xposure to mora senior leaders, and formal classroom training.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreRecently, my colleague Selena Rezvani and I conducted original research about stretch assignments. What we discovered after surveying 1,500 professionals is detailed in our report,Out of the Comfort Zone How women and men size up stretch assignments - and why leaders should care.What makes a stretch assignment yes-able?We found that women and men factor in similar motivations and roadblocks when deciding whether to accept a stretch assignment. For both genders, the top criteria for saying Yes to a stretch are having the personal influence to drive a successful outcome, and alignment with their career goals. Women and men agree that office politics, not lack of time, is the biggest practical challenge to taking on a stretch assignment.There are also some differences. When deciding whet her to say yes to a stretch assignment, women are more likely than men to prioritize exposure to key mentors and sponsors (18% vs 11%.) Meanwhile, men are 3.5 times more likely than women to cite pay as a factor that makes a stretch assignment appealing.Make no mistake A stretch assignment is no small commitment. One exec jokingly referred to them as night jobs. You wouldnt want to accept, or overextend your stay in, a thankless job. So why accept a thankless stretch assignment? One survey respondent, a senior manager with a cloud-based software firm said he looks for a balance of challenge, risk, and reward when evaluating whether to accept a stretch, and you should, too.Ready to tackle a high-intensity, high-profile project? Go youHere are four rules for assessing whether an assignment is the right fit.1. Dont be afraid to take a riskStretch assignments come with tradeoffs. Its risky to commit to high-stakes, work that adds to your workload. But its a chance to develop new skills, discover new strengths, and build influential networks. I ask myself,Am I ready for change? Am I ready to be uncomfortable? Am I ready to make a mistake and learn from it?wrote a woman working as a senior manager in consumer goods manufacturing.2. Define your directionThe ideal stretch fuels your passions, plays to your strengths, and allows you to make a measurable business impact. Scan your orgs landscape for business opportunities that match the challenges youd like to solve.I look for a complex challenge so that I can learn and grow, make impactful change, and prove my abilities, said one survey participant with ambitions to make her mark within a multinational manufacturing conglomerate. Once you have ideas, find evidence to support why they are helpful. Show your management whats needed and why youre excited about the part you could play.3. Go after a project no one wantsSure, everyone wants the stretch assignment associated with the cutting-edge trend or cool new client. But what about the assignment that makes people uneasy or nervous? One male senior manager at an e-commerce company said, Thinking about it has to make me feel uncomfortable. A person who volunteers for riskier stretches shows unique confidence in his or her abilities and commitment to the organization. Although management may have lower expectations for these assignments, such opportunities are proving grounds for problem-solvers, change agents, and fledgling leaders.4. Negotiate for what you need to be successfulGather as many details as possible about the opportunity, including compensation, recognition, and career options. In addition, prior to starting a new role or assignment, negotiate the authority, resources, and support needed for success. Then, enlist mentors and influential allies to help navigate office politics. One entry-level woman in the medical devices field weighs the following criteria Do I have a manager and colleagues who agree that I am ready for the next step an d who are confident in my abilities? Finally, dont be afraid to ask, If I do an excellent job on this project, what can I expect as a result?Taking on a stretch assignment is not for everyone. But if youre ready to place a bet on yourself, a well-chosen stretch assignment can pay off, making your skills, value, and work ethic known beyond your immediate workgroup. Stretch assignments are proven shortcuts to advancement, so dont underestimate their career-making potential.This post first appeared atForbes.com.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will ersatzdarsteller your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people