I love having career conversations with colleagues at work. Most often, our dialogue turns to peer mentoring, and I walk away learning more insights about career growth than I had anticipated.
Recently I had one of those career discussions with a colleague, and in talking with her, I felt like my best self spoke back to me. She mentioned that her role recently changed, and she is looking for a new position that fits more of her strengths within her skillset. My colleague said that she doesn’t want to show up in the way she is currently working, more with her weaker skills than her more vital skills. She mentioned that she wants to bring her best self to her role each day. Although her current management is supportive of her search for a new role within the company, she highlighted that she was in charge of her career and the direction she wanted for her work. Our conversation highlighted several key principles to keep in mind regarding career growth and development.
Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.
Albert Einstein
5 Principles for Career Growth
- You get better by working on your strengths.
- Your strengths help you bring your best self to the job every day.
- Pay attention to your energy – not leveraging your strengths is an energy suck.
- Have the courage to act when you know you need to move to another role.
- Keep moving in the direction of your strengths.
It is never too late to be what you might have been.
George Eliot
Your Turn
Find a supportive team that includes a manager, peer, mentor, and a coach where you can have honest conversations about your strengths and challenges.
When you feel stuck, check your energy. What is blocking you? Where do you need more clarity? What helps you stay focused and productive amid uncertainty and disruption? When there are setbacks, pay attention to your energy; and have the courage to adjust accordingly.
Our finest moments are most likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments, propelled by our discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers.
M. Scott Peck
Key Takeaways
- You are in charge of your career.
- When the going gets tough, listen for new opportunities. How are the career challenges inviting you to more profound growth?
- Lean into your strengths and your circle of support for guidance.
The future depends on what you do today.
Mahatma Gandhi
What works for you when it comes to your career growth?
I welcome your comments.
Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.
William James
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