Turn Yourself Into CEO Material. Now

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When that happens, headhunters don't call, bosses don't promote, and mentors don't respond. Don't be afraid to be out front. Things happen when you're visible. People seek you out because they've heard about you and your capabilities. Just be sure to bring others out front, too.

8. Be mentored and mentor others. Learn from those who have preceded you. No single mentor will fit all your needs or be available every time you need advice. Develop multiple mentoring friendships that fit certain times and situations. You want mentors who've seen more and done more and are more than a page ahead of you in the instruction manual. Regardless of where you are in your career, be a mentor to others. Do unto others as you are lucky enough to have done for you. One note, though: Mentoring is not a place for pitching your product or turning the conversation into a therapy session or a job interview.

9. Keep your home and personal life in check. Get lots done at work, then leave. You can have a sense of balance in your home and work life, regardless of your job title—if you want it. It's your choice. Think through what's important to you (e.g., family, exercise, church, community, politics, etc.) and give each of those areas some of your time every day.

10. Develop leadership abilities. Being promoted doesn't require an additional degree, moving to another company or city, losing weight, changing your hair color, or getting a face-lift. It does require specific concrete, creative, set-yourself-apart-from-the-pack action in effectively dealing with a diverse group of people. You'll get pulled up from above and pushed up from below when you: a) lead as others need, not as you need; b) campaign for others, not just yourself, and share credit; c) think "we," not "me;" d) focus on the business as a whole, not just your work; e) listen quick and long; f) make choices minute by minute that improve you, your team, and your company; g) admit mistakes and fix them, then keep going; h) spark ambitions in others who are under your direct control, along with those who aren't; and i) develop at least two to three people who can take your job.

Will doing all these things make you a CEO in a decade's time? Maybe. Maybe not. They will advance your career. They'll ensure your success as you build your role and your importance in the portion of your life devoted to work. Best of all, you'll have a sense of control over your career destiny—and control over yourself, which is something no one can ever take away from you.

Debra Benton, founder and president of Benton Management Resources in Ft. Collins, Colo., has 20 years of experience as a coach to CEOs and other executives. Her client companies have included Campbell's Soup, Dell Computer, McDonald's, and Time Warner. She is a speaker, blogger, and author of eight books, including Executive Charisma and How to Think Like a CEO. Her most recent offering is CEO Material: How to Be a Leader in Any Organization (McGraw-Hill, 2009).