Creating a plan for career growth

When working with professionals, I often hear this statement, “I want to grow in my career.” While this term should be celebrated, it invites translation issues. The word grow might be interpreted as stay for a while then move on. This word is closely associated with the word promote.

In helping professionals make calculated career moves, I like to suggest a word swap, Evolution vs. Growth. Evolution will be perceived as progress, development, and expansion. Now, it’s important to point out that the words could be interchanged. When used inside basic conversations, they are not very different. When used in a professional setting, they are different, see below.

Career evolution

Growth at a review or interview could translate to an employer you want a promotion someday (and you should but…)

Thoughts that come to the mind of the listener:

1. This person wants a promotion some day, when, why, what if we aren’t aligned due to company timing, are they going to leave us?

Evolution could translate to an employer you want to avoid stagnation.

Thoughts that come to the mind of the listener:

1. This person doesn’t want to become routine in their work, this person will happily take on more to be exposed to more, this person is hungry for knowledge. 

How do you evolve thoughtfully?

1. You design a career plan that fits your lifestyle plan

2. You design a plan that is self motivated, not that of society

3. You design a plan that has micro updates, so you can celebrate your movement

4. You create a strategy plan on how to reach the next version of you, knowing what that is, when is right, and your values in replacement of your why.

Ignite your divergent thinking

1. What is the definition of Divergent?

1. Drawing apart from a common point; diverging

2. Departing from convention

3. Differing from another

As a career architect, I work alongside knowledge seeking professionals who want to stand out on the job, without having to completely overhaul their style and exhaust any more energy. 

Some sample ways to be divergent with your work habits are:

1. Changing the way you email?

1. Meaning: less wordy, using bullets instead (avoid being someone his create communication that is TLDR = too long, didn’t read)

2. Changing the way you close an email?

1. Meaning: closing an email with an unconventional signature, “In partnership” or “I appreciate you”

3. Changing the way you collaborate with others using the 10% rule?

1. Meaning: create a vision document where 10% of the vision is laid out, in a down and dirty way (little to no formatting), for review and further collaboration

4. Becoming a master user of a (new or existing) tool to inspire others to use the tool more, like Slack or Teams or OneNote or Trello or Asana?

1. Meaning: AI tools are here to save us time, why not elevate the company culture by helping people save (more) time. Create a user manual. This is also a great way to stand out in a review.

Build your Brand

What is your signature strength? What helps you stand out from others who do the same work? What is a smart risk?

What is a signature strength you share with others?

1. The way to learn what your signature strength is (or maybe you have 2+) is by tracking what people ask of you? Journal requests that come at you especially ones that are shared tasks but they always ask you for help

2. Some look for patterns so they can learn and predict

3. Some are great with Excel or PowerPoint

4. Some create easy to digest emails

5. Some create patterns in how they work which builds extra trust with others

What is your unique brand that sets you apart, yet complements others? 

1. As mentioned earlier, the email signature shift is a great place to start

2. Create visually appealing 1-page documents to share information

3. Subject line formation, calendar invites, using the notes section with clickable links and information for the appointment…there’s a lot of opportunity with routine tasks

What are smart risks you can take?

1. Asking to participate in a project using the 10% rule mentioned earlier

2. Asking to join a meeting to take notes for the group - this way you gain exposure to other business activities and people

3. Asking to start a committee for community impact and employee team building 

4. Asking for a new title if your role has changed (be sure to plan effectively - check out “how to ask for a raise” article)

5. Asking to arrange [lunch and learn] events each quarter

Launch Pad:

1. What is a good evolution strategy?

2. What’s a goal you can set now to be divergent in your role?

3. What can you do to add to your brand? Do you know of any smart risks you can take?

Build Your Personal Brand Course

Testimonial: ”I have heard Hilani talk about these concepts in the past but had not figured out how to apply it to myself. The way the course walked me through each step made it easy to identify my strengths and style, and how to tell that story to others” Beth

The course, "Building Your Personal Brand", will take you through an easy to understand 3-step framework process. The course helps you identify and highlight your Strengths, teaches you how to express your distinctive executive Style, and guides you on how to weave in captivating Stories to invite influence.

Why: So that you can re-shape how you're viewed in the workplace, reposition the value you deliver and position yourself as that strategic business partner successful executives wish to work alongside.

Interests: I know you’re ready for more. To be seen more, to achieve more and most importantly do more. 

• You’re ready to show up with more purpose and be a divergent thinker when it comes to supporting your executive. You want more then to simply tick off your to-dos each day.

• You're ready for career fulfillment and a salary that rewards your expertise and value.

• You’re ready to support your executive in managing not just their time but their energy, too. You’re ready to offer support in a much bigger way.