Taking control of your career development

Q: How do I advance, grow and learn when my company doesn't give me the training and development resources I need? If my company isn't proactive about helping me with a development plan, or doesn't invest in my growth, what should I do? What strategies should I use to own my training and development? What resources should I look to in order to stay current? (Or, if I'm an independent/freelancer, how do I take control of my own training and development?)

A: Let’s face it, most companies don’t have an on-site university to make all of our development dreams come true. But do not let your company's lack of funds or efforts be a barrier to your personal growth and development. It is critical that you continue to invest in yourself and in your skills to remain relevant.

Training and development is an overwhelming topic, especially for folks taking matters into their own hands. What’s important to focus on? Where does one turn for training? How much is it going to cost? It’s easy to get lost in the options, and even easier to let analysis paralysis stop you from doing anything.

To me, training and development is simply about growing and learning. Below are three basic areas of growth and learning that I personally lean on and advocate to those I coach.

Develop greater awareness of what makes you you

Our culture encourages us to focus on fixing our weaknesses, but doubling-down on your strengths is the best way to make your greatest contribution to the world. Understanding who you are, what your strengths are and how you can take your strengths further is a very overlooked area of growth and development. When we are aware of our strengths we grow in confidence, which in turn allows us to take more measured risks, step out, and find our area of maximum contribution.

There are lots of tools out there to help you understand what makes you so brilliantly you. A few of my favorites are: Strengthfinders and 16 Personalities. Both of these are involve a short q&a, and then reveal of personal profile based on your answers.

I also encourage my clients to do “Mesearch.” Sometimes others can see us more clearly than we can see ourselves. So, at times, it’s helpful to call upon those who you work closely with to ask them for their perspectives on what makes you you, and what they see as your strengths and potential.  Pick 5 people who you work with, have worked with or who know your work well. Email them and let them know you are working on a career development project and would appreciate their answers to the following:

1.     You are the best in the world at….

2.     The top three things that make you so you are…

3.     The world could use more of your…

4.     If it weren’t for you…

5.     What you are made to do…

Once you have this new perspective, find a way to apply it to your current situation. There are many tests and reflection exercises out there, but too often we do them and never look back. So, with this new insight in hand, ask yourself: how can I use my strengths in bigger ways? How could I leverage my strengths to help, solve or contribute in new ways? 

Get better at your day job.

U.S. firms spend about $156 billion on employee learning, according to the American Society for Training and Development. But with little practical follow-up or meaningful application, some 90% of new skills are lost within a year, some research suggests.

This is why I believe the best training is about improving on the skills you use and need each and every day. Oftentimes, we go in search of entirely new skills or competencies. There’s nothing wrong with learning an entirely new skill, but if it’s for something you only occasionally use it will have less impact on your ability to truly grow and advance. Instead, what do you do each and every day that you wish you had more confidence in? It could be writing, presentations, negotiations, handling difficult conversations or something else. But it’s helpful to sharpen core day-to-day skills you use all the time.

Again, there are endless resources for sharpening core skills. But here are a few avenues that are easy and effective.

Learn from someone you admire: Have you ever seen someone present brilliantly and think to yourself “I wish I could present like that?” Well, why not ask them how they do what they do? It could be an amazing writer, presenter, tough negotiator or inspiring leader. There is tremendous insight in asking those around you for their secrets and best practices. Some of my most powerful learnings have come from my colleagues, not a classroom. And I think you’ll find that people are flattered to be asked, and happy to share what they know.

Check out Podcasts: I have to admit, that I am a self-proclaimed podcast junkie, but podcasts are a great source for practical advice, tips and tools. Two business podcasts that focus on presentation, leadership and networking/connection skills are: The Art of Charm and Coaching for Leaders. Whether it’s these podcasts or another you find, look to the popularity of their episodes to find the best content.

Explore online courses. There is a virtual explosion of online development tools, programs and classes. Many of them are reasonably priced ($200 or less) and have are downloadable so that you can learn at your convenience. The Muse published a great article called 50 (Cheap!) Professional Development Classes featuring professional development classes in the areas of career, communication, design, entrepreneurship, management, marketing, project management, tech and writing.

Expand your perspective

I believe inspiration is a critical piece of training and development. Business requires fresh perspectives, ideas, and creativity.  Albert Enstein said it best “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” True inspiration and innovation comes from new perspectives and insights. Too often, we look at inspiration as dispensible or frivolous. But I think it is essential to find ways to expand and experience new ideas, concepts, philosophies and experiences.

Conferences are really hard to beat in removing you from the day-to-day routine for a couple days of full-on immersion and inspiration. If you can swing a trip to TED or SXSW all power to you. Just remember to share what you’ve learned with those of us who were left behind.

For the rest of us, inspiration doesn’t have to come with a big trip and conference ticket.

Things We Think We Think: At my former company, we did a "things we think we think" lunch meeting where people can share their interest or expertise on any topic to the Agency. It’s a great way to let people share their passions and provide inspiration at the same time. Through these meetings, we’ve heard about 3D printing, video games, the art of the samurai and roller derby.

 Take a field trip:  Field trips aren’t just for grade school anymore. There’s nothing more inspiring or perspective changing than actually getting out and experiencing something first-hand. It could be directly related to your field like visiting an art museum or attending a local conference. Or it could be something completely unrelated, like attending a concert or a seeing an acclaimed film. But look for ways to expand your perspective. Interesting people make interesting ideas.

 Again, it would be nice if each and every company charted a portfolio of training and development offerings. But for those of us who don’t live in that reality, I’m leaving you with no excuses. Take your career into your own hands, and look for ways to grow your awareness, core skills and experiences. Once you dive in, I think you’ll find yourself hungry to keep learning more and more.