Career Development Exercise

Whether you’re looking to enhance your professional development or feeling a bit disengaged at work, you’ve come to the right place. Here, I will explain the dreaded Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) and ways to elevate how you feel about your career. In the business world, there is something called a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP). The reason for such a plan is to help an underperforming professional get back on track. Studies confirm that a professional is underperforming because they’ve become disconnected. Human Resources (HR) professionals created the plan to outline what’s missing in someone’s performance and what needs to happen in order to stay employed. They place a professional on a PIP and give a due date for when they would like to see results. To me, the approach is missing a human touch. For the professional, being put on a PIP (usually) becomes the final straw that solidifies, “That’s it…I’m out”.

I want to address this point because it's not uncommon for administrative professionals to find themselves feeling stuck in their roles, often just going through the motions. This sense of going through the motions can be attributed to a variety of factors, including questioning their current circumstances, job satisfaction, and whether they are truly in the right role. It's essential to explore these feelings and concerns because they can have a significant impact on not only your professional life but also your overall well-being and career trajectory. It's crucial to delve deeper into what might be causing this stagnation and take proactive steps to address any issues or uncertainties that arise.

Your career deserves 1:1 attention from you.

Those who have completed the Performance Enhancement Plan Workbook [PEP] (located at the bottom of this article) have shared that the exercise helped them get layout a plan for their future.

Your work relationship.

Considering that the root issue here is a growing sense of disconnection, it begs the question: Shouldn't employers establish a consistent framework for enhancing their employees' engagement, thereby circumventing the need for subsequent "improvement" measures? Collaborating on a structured plan for ongoing guidance and fostering a positive sense of challenge can proactively steer clear of the dreaded Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) or being let go.

In many instances, especially in today's climate where HR departments are stretched thin (my heartfelt sympathies to them), there's a growing emphasis on encouraging employees to take the reins of their own engagement and professional development (I’ll avoid a rant here). To avoid drifting away from your role and finding yourself in an unwanted situation, it's prudent for professionals to assess whether there's room for improvement in their current position or come to terms with the fact that it might be time for a graceful exit. The responsibility for staying engaged and invested in one's evolution often rests on the individual, making self-initiative and self-assessment crucial in maintaining a fulfilling and successful career.

What to do next?

Every week, I come across individuals who express their uncertainty about where to begin when it comes to self-guided professional development. Embracing the concept of self-strengthening, I want to inspire you to ignite a sense of positivity within yourself because you are your most potent advocate. Leveraging my skills as a creative problem solver, I've dedicated time and effort to crafting a unique workbook designed to address this very challenge.

In order to assist you in taking proactive steps toward your own evolution (and happiness), I'm introducing the PEP, which stands for Performance Enhancement Plan. This resource is tailored to strengthen you, providing a structured path for enhancing your professional skills and achieving your goals.

The offering.

When working with admins or facilitating our workshops, one topic that always sparks lively discussions is the question: "Who are you, and what does your brand reflect about you?" At Exceptional Admins, our mission is to strengthen learners on their unique journeys. That's why I've designed this workbook, especially for you, allowing you to invest in your evolution at your own pace. Each module comes equipped with easy-to-follow instructions and valuable resources to support your personal development. Remember, you're absolutely worth it, and your future self and career will thank you for taking this step. So, let's embark on this exciting journey of self-discovery together – your brand transformation awaits!

Launch Pad 

1. Evaluate where you are in your role and determine if there’s hope for your current status or if you should exit gracefully. 

2. Stay positively engaged and become your own advocate for investing in your own professional development.

3. Enhance your concentration and align yourself more closely with your aspirations. You have the opportunity to amplify your influence by obtaining a copy of the Performance Enhancement Plan Workbook [PEP] (button below) workbook and working through it at your own pace.

Bonus content: Check out this short p.s. episode if you’re inching towards being very unhappy at work