Are you an ambitious person? Do you see yourself working as a manager leading a team towards success? If so, you should stop dreaming and chart your career trajectory. Career advancement is much about action than waiting for things to happen.

Fortunately, there are ways in which you can accelerate your career and get past the corporate obstacles. Here are five tips that will help you to catapult to the top of the career hierarchy.

1. Create a Plan

A lot of people bounce from one job to another like a pinball. They don't have any vision or plan for what role will help them to realize their full potential. You can't reach the pinnacle of your career without a plan or career goal. It's important that you make a long-term career plan that focuses on where you want to be in the next five years. Also, you should accompany the plan with interim steps that you allow you to realize your goal.

2. Leverage your Network

You can improve your chances of accelerating to the top through networking. You will have a better chance of reaching the top of the career ladder, if you focus on building networks. This will help you to get greatly increase your odds of catapulting to the top.

3. Invest in Yourself

While education is not a good reflection of skill, aptitude, or talent, unfortunately in order to excel in any career, a degree is necessary. You need at least a master's degree if you want to work at a managerial level in a big corporate firm. Getting a degree will give you a head start in your career allowing you to attain leadership position in quick time.

4. Benefit from Career Development Programs

Certain companies such as the United States Postal Service company offer leadership position. Workers of the federal jobs are normally provided career advancement opportunities. You should not let the opportunity go and make sure to leverage from these programs.

5. Improve Your Skills

Leadership position requires certain skills and traits. The good thing is that you can develop these skills through learning and experience. According to an executive leadership training program, the six key traits that are essential for leaders include the following.

• Listening and Communication
• Effective Management
• Empathy
• Emotional Intelligence
• Integrity and values
• Vision
• Empowerment

The above are the key traits for a leadership position. Make sure that you focus on improving these skills and proactively prepare yourself for the top position. Also, you should not underestimate the power of attitude. Having a positive attitude will increase the odds that you don't blunder when presented with an opportunity to display your leadership skills.