Ask any HR Manager
about the top issues on their latest employee survey and “more development
opportunities” is likely to be one of them.
But in today’s economy many companies have either cut back formal
classroom training or eliminated it altogether. Disappointing? Yes. Short-sighted? Definitely. But the good news is that there are many ways
to continue your personal development without sitting in a classroom. The important thing is that you continue to
learn. Ultimately, your career and the path to achieving success in that career
are in your hands. Start by assessing the skills and behaviors you need to
develop to improve your capabilities in your current role and/or prepare for
your next role. Then determine the best
development resource. Here are five potential resources to get you started.
1. Read. Read everything you can on the
topic. Books, magazines, trade journals, online articles. If you are at the
career planning stage, there are plenty of online resources to help you
identify the skills and behaviors you’ll need for your next step and then you
can develop your reading plan from there. Be creative! Tap into reading sources you wouldn’t normally consider. There is
learning everywhere.
2. Volunteer. Ask for an assignment at
work that will stretch you. Volunteer
for an organization or event in your community that will allow you to use or
develop a skill you don’t get to use at work. For example, if you want to improve
your leadership skills, volunteer to head up the committee planning an event or
a community project.
3. Find a mentor. Most senior leaders
attribute at least part of their success to the help of one or more mentors
along the way. A mentor can give you the wisdom of someone who’s “been there”
as well as honest feedback about your development areas and progress. Look for
someone you admire and respect and with whom you have an open, honest rapport.
4. Join a professional organization. Connecting
with others in your field through a professional organization is a great way to
continue your development while building your professional network. These
organizations often have expert speakers and other learning resources. Plus
there are many volunteer opportunities to build your skills, and you just might
find a mentor there!
5. Hire a coach. Is there a particular
skill or behavior you need to develop that’s holding you back from achieving
the next level in your career? Hiring a professional coach may be the
answer. Be sure you hire someone
who is professionally trained and certified. Interview several to find one that
is a right fit for you in both experience and rapport.
There’s an old Chinese proverb that says, “Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere.”
Keep adding to that treasure…
Learn on,
Rebecca
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