Discussions on Career and Personal Development

Over the last few days, I have had conversations with folks who are questioning their career paths. Or, put differently, they are wondering what to do with what they have. An example. A lawyer also likes to do podcasts, loves fashion, and is now thinking of making a segue into entertainment. Another, a medical doctor, possesses a PhD as well, has been involved in consulting, and is considering building a startup. All true life stories. If you’re focused on climbing a career or corporate ladder, it would be hard to figure out what to do with all that. Thus, having a career that is defined 𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒆𝒍𝒚 by what we learned in school can be limiting. A few weeks ago, I wrote about cultivating a career portfolio, and these scenarios show how we unconsciously get to a point where we develop one. A career portfolio is a collection of your professional experiences, skills, and accomplishments that go beyond the traditional resume. It represents your diverse and evolving journey in the world of work, encompassing various roles, skills, and experiences that you've gained throughout your life. Like how an investor invests across different asset classes or companies in his portfolio. Here's how to understand and build a career portfolio: - A career portfolio is different from a traditional career path, which often follows a singular trajectory. It's more like an ongoing journey of self-discovery and fulfillment. - It encompasses a wide range of experiences, from traditional jobs to volunteer work, community service, side hustles, passion projects, hobbies, and other activities where you've created value and served others. - It may include personal experiences, skills, or aspects of your identity that don't typically appear on a resume but are essential to your professional identity and work.   The benefits of a career portfolio are that it’s a lifelong asset that you build and maintain, and it can't be taken away from you. Your diverse set of skills allows you to navigate ambiguity and make creative connections between different experiences.   You can combine skills from various experiences to tackle new challenges, diversify income sources, and serve in different ways.   Make connections between the different components of your portfolio.   Develop a portfolio narrative that explains how your combination of skills makes you valuable to employers and how these skills enhance each other. Your portfolio becomes a powerful tool for telling your unique story to potential employers or collaborators, helping you secure the roles you want. It's great to have a career path and climb the ladder. But don't neglect building a career portfolio.

It’s the career conversations you wish you’d had that can change the course of your life. So how can you have them? When people contact me for career coaching, there’s usually a belief that their current workplace doesn’t support them, that there’s no room for growth, that opportunities are limited, that their needs can’t be met, and that they aren’t valued. Sometimes it’s true. But most people have never had the conversation to find out. Only the most proactive employees ask for the conversation. So sometimes I orchestrate it. In a strengths-based leadership program and in the MBA career class I’m teaching, I implemented a “Career Conversation” assignment into the requirements. It’s my attempt to move up the conversation about “my needs, my value, my career opportunities here” from the point of leaving to the present. See, when people leave an organization it’s always, “My needs weren’t met, I didn’t feel valued, I don’t see opportunities there…” But what if we had that conversation proactively? What if managers invited it? Here’s an agenda of discussion items for your “Career Conversation:” ✔️My strengths and how I am using them and how I can use them more ✔️What’s draining me and options to shift things ✔️Contributions I’d love to make ✔️How I’d like to grow and where I’d like to go next ✔️Training or education available to help me reach my goals ✔️Realistic timelines for reaching these goals ✔️Opportunities to increase compensation I’ve seen some incredible things happen in these conversations. There are almost always more opportunities than you can see. ⭐️If you are someone pondering a job change, what would it take to have this internal conversation first? What do you have to lose? You can still leave, but at least you’ll know. ⭐️ If you are a manager, how could you proactively invite this conversation to retain your employees and help them grow before you have to have the conversation as they give their notice? Even if you know you’re job searching, consider that making a move internally might be more possible than you think. You won’t know until you’ve truly had the conversation.

Perf reviews were always stressful for me. Ask any of my managers. Not because I wasn’t doing my job well but when they would ask me, “What do you want to do?” My answer is, “I don’t know, I guess get a promotion.” Most of the time, my manager could sense the lack of enthusiasm in my voice. But think about it, at its core, performance reviews can be seen as 2 options: Move up: Get a promotion. Move out: Get a new job. Here’s another option that I learned with the more experience gained. Forging my own path. This option is probably the most challenging for a few reasons: -There is no clear “right” or “wrong” answer. -This requires you to take full responsibility for your own career development. -It necessitates confronting yourself with difficult questions. For myself I just knew I love coaching and helping people reframe the way they think about personal and professional development. Here's how I created my own path: 👽 Unique Value Proposition: I started by asking myself, "What do I want to be known for?" This wasn't about inflating my ego but about genuinely understanding my strengths and how I could leverage them. 🤹🏾♂️ Skill Specialization: While passionate about coaching, I recognized the need to specialize to differentiate myself. My coaching approach now integrates neurobiology, mindfulness, somatics, and includes experiences from silent retreats and interactions with mindfulness and coaching experts. 🌍 Community: No path is created in isolation. My community has grown to expert coaches, neuroscientists, tech founders, and seasoned entrepreneurs. 🖼️ The Bigger Picture: Creating my own path wasn’t just about escaping the stress of performance reviews but building a deeper fulfilling career. My goal has been to guide seasoned tech professionals through this very process, reshaping their views on career advancement. Is this easy? Heck no. Is it worth it? That depends on how much you value growth. Choosing to create your own path can be between narrowing your focus on development and becoming a victim of the “traditional” path. How are you choosing to forge your own path today? #reframe #coaching #leadership #innovation #tech #personaldevelopment #careers #leadershipcoaching

I just got off the phone with a client from 2019. I worked with him 4 years ago but I remember him vividly. He landed a new role that he loves and is still at the same company and he moved to Mexico. What a life! He’s also referring his boyfriend to me, and I can’t wait to meet with him in a couple of weeks. I won’t get into the details but I’m glad my client considered me a resource. No matter where you are in your career - whether looking for a role, progressing in your company, or building your brand within the industry - there are so many things you can do to build support. What are some ideas? - Mentorship: A mentor can provide invaluable insights, advice, and guidance based on their experience. Don’t hesitate to seek out a mentor who aligns with your career goals. - Professional Groups: Joining professional groups, both online and offline, can be a powerful way to connect with peers, share knowledge, and stay updated with industry trends. - Online Platforms: Platforms like LinkedIn, Coursera, and industry-specific forums are treasure troves for learning and networking. Make the most of these to expand your knowledge and connections. - Career Coaches: My all-time favorite, of course. Consider engaging with a career coach for personalized guidance. As a certified career coach myself, I can attest to the tailored support and clarity a coach can bring to your career path. Remember: - Be Proactive: Actively seek and engage with resources. Don’t wait for opportunities to come to you. - Diversify Your Resources: Utilize a mix of resources for a well-rounded approach to career development. - Evaluate and Adjust: Regularly assess the effectiveness of your resources and be open to trying new ones. What resources have you found most valuable in your career journey? Let’s share and learn from each other in the comments! 💬 #careerdevelopment #professionalgrowth #networking #lifelonglearning

🎯 "Got Career Goals? Do This Today To See If You Have The Right Employer To Help You Execute Them" Here's a reality check for you: Career growth is not a solo expedition, it's a partnered journey. And the right partner? Your employer. Now, how do you gauge if you've got the right one? Start by having a conversation with a leader in your organization. This may or may not be your direct manager but someone who has the vision, the drive, and the empathy to truly understand your aspirations. Here's what you need to do: 1️⃣ Request a meeting: Be transparent about its purpose: "My Career Development Goals." 2️⃣ In the meeting, present your career narrative: Outline your journey within the organization, the personal, team, and company successes you've contributed to. 3️⃣ Share your long-term vision: Clearly articulate your 5-year plan, and how your growth aligns with the company's success. 4️⃣ Discuss your immediate actions: What are you doing right now to get there? 5️⃣ Ask for feedback: Ask for their insights and help in refining your plan and setting up a roadmap to success. A true leader and a value-driven employer will not only give you time for this meeting but also: 👉 Actively listen to your presentation 👉 Provide constructive feedback 👉 Help you create a viable plan 👉 Set realistic and achievable goals 👉 Schedule follow-up meetings to track your progress But, what if you don't get this response? Two things to do: 1️⃣ Look in the mirror: Be brutally honest. Are you giving your role the commitment and effort that warrants the employer's investment in your growth? 2️⃣ If the answer is yes, consider a change: If your employer doesn't see your value, maybe it's time to find one who does! What's your experience with career development conversations? Let's discuss below! #CareerGrowth #EmployerEngagement #CareerGoals #EmployeeDevelopment

🛑 Stop confusing performance management with career development. They aren't the same. Here's why... It's important for management and leadership to understand the value of their investments, and performance measurement tools can help with that. However, these tools aren't designed to assist employees in their personal growth and development. To promote a supportive work environment, we advise our clients to take a personalized approach to professional development, which involves open communication, active listening, and understanding the unique needs of each employee. Leaders should identify and provide the necessary resources for each employee's success, even if that means they graduate from the team or company. While individualized support can be challenging to scale, it's worth prioritizing. Instead of focusing on specific internal destinations, create a standardized professional development planning process and template and empower your employees to drive their careers forward. Good professional development plans provide clarity on the employees': 1️⃣ The Business: performance in current role, meeting the values of the company, and knowledge of business operations. 2️⃣ Behaviors: self-awareness of behaviors and what adaptations are needed to perform at their best. 3️⃣ Career: aspirational target role they hope to achieve in a few years and needed experience, learning, and mentorship to get there. 4️⃣ Life Goals: work-life integration wishes, interests/hobbies, and any major life milestones they're planning for. (Life-goals are always optional to share) By getting clear on your employees' skills, experience, potential, and output, you can gain clarity on their career paths. This helps both of you make informed decisions about promotion, compensation, and learning investments in the future. ⚡️ #humanresources #leadership #culture #career

Hey there, it’s me, your coach Nina, how are you today? Are you feeling overwhelmed by the exciting but vast possibilities in your career? Society, your parents, friends, strangers on social media, and even your own expectations have all been suggesting paths you “should” take professionally. If you're intellectually curious and enjoy learning, you likely have a strong drive to grow already. You might already have some ideas about where you want to go and how to get there. However, with endless possibilities and only 24 hours in a day, it's important to have a focused and sustainable approach to your career development, one that prevents overwhelm and burnout. Here are some strategies to consider: 1️⃣ List out your career goals: What do you really want in your career? Is it money, title, creative freedom, influence, fame, or making an impact? In my early career I wanted to get promoted because the society says so, but after a few years I started to optimize for learning new experiences (hence jumping from corporate to startup to stand up a new team.) 2️⃣ Figure out your why: understand why you want to achieve something adds meaning and boosts motivation. Are you aiming for FIRE (financial independence to retire early), seeking respect as a manager, or craving intellectual exploration? 3️⃣ Define success: know your destination helps you figure out what resources or skills you need to get there. For instance, aspiring to be a people manager might require learning how to inspire others. 4️⃣ Identify the resources you need: Just like planning a trip, you need to know what to pack for your career journey. Determine the skills or knowledge necessary for your dream role. 5️⃣ Choose how to learn: Different people prefer different learning methods—reading, visual cues, podcasts, or hands-on experience. Find what works best for you and experiment if you're unsure. 6️⃣ Practice: Apply your new skills whenever possible. Shadow others, volunteer for projects, and actively develop the competencies you need. 7️⃣ Reflect regularly: Set a monthly reminder to assess your progress and adjust your strategies if needed. 8️⃣ Seek accountability: Remember the saying, "If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together." Find a mentor, friend, or a coach friend to support and hold you accountable. What strategies have you used or would you recommend to feel less overwhelmed and more empowered in your career growth? #careerdevelopment #professionaldevelopment #midcareer

This is an entry in a series of posts on planning one's career. Not long ago, I gave a talk to a group at a large tech company about career navigation. We discussed a range of topics from planning, to facing our demons in the workplace (e.g., imposter syndrome, key skill gaps), to picking the right projects.       At the conclusion of the talk, one of the attendees asked for my advice re: the ONE thing that they should focus on in the next month if they only had time for one thing.  In coaching fashion, I turned the question back on them and asked them what might be most impactful to them given their skills, their challenges, their aspirations and frustrations.     His answer:  "Honestly, I need to take time to reflect.  We get so caught up in emails, perf, projects, etc., life just goes by.  I really need to take time to reflect on my path so far and where I want to go from here."      Good answer.  We could all benefit from periodically taking stock of where we are and where we're going.  Some questions to ask ourselves:      "If I make no changes in myself or in my circumstances, where am I likely to be in X years?  Is that okay?"    "Am I opening doors or closing doors on my career path?"     "Am I developing complementary skills that will allow me to solve larger, more complex problems in the future?"     "Am I doing work that will be valued by other employers - or valuable in my own business, should I choose to start one?" We don't need to have specific goals in our lives...but it helps to ask ourselves these kinds of questions to ensure that we are pointed in a promising direction.

I had the opportunity to interview someone early in their career yesterday, and I was reflecting on my career journey, trying to think of what advice I would give my younger self. 💭 1️⃣ Take risks, embrace when you fail, and learn from it. 🚀 Early in my career, I was afraid to take risks, and that got me in some toxic work environments that made me feel I couldn't do better. It's when I picked myself up, said enough, and went on a new journey that I learned my values and my best traits. So, don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and take calculated risks. 🌟 2️⃣ Find your passion and purpose. 🔍 Cliche to say it, but it is so true. When you are passionate about your work, the hurdles are just there for you to leap over. When you align your career with your values and purpose, work becomes more fulfilling and meaningful. So, take the time to explore different industries, roles, and opportunities until you find what truly lights a fire within you. 🔥 3️⃣ Don't stop learning 🌱 The world is evolving at a rapid pace, and staying ahead of the curve requires a commitment to lifelong learning. Seek out others in your industry, connect with experts, and express your voice. Take courses, attend webinars, and read industry publications. By investing in your personal and professional development, you'll not only enhance your skills but also position yourself as a thought leader in your field. 4️⃣ Lastly, remember to take care of yourself. 💆♀️ Took me years to balance my work ethic with my family and me time. When we are chasing success, it's easy to neglect self-care. But trust me, burnout is real, and it can hinder your growth and happiness. Prioritize your physical and mental well-being. Find a hobby that will require you to physically and mentally unplug. Surround yourself with a support system that uplifts and encourages you. 💕 I hope these pieces of advice resonate with you as much as they do with me. 🌟 If you're just starting out in your career, I encourage you to embrace the journey, stay curious, and never stop learning. 🌈 What advice would you give your younger self? Comment below, and let's start a conversation! 👇✨ #careeradvice #lessonslearned #personalgrowth

Believing you are the asset changes your perspective when it comes to how you navigate your career in 3 major ways. Worthiness: Too many of us go into our careers feeling unworthy. Primarily because we assign our level of skills to our worthiness. This results in focusing our efforts on proving our worthiness versus figuring out how to just be better at what we do. It leads to us giving control of our professional development over to the ones we are trying to prove our worthiness to. You do not have to start your career knowing it all. No one does. That does not mean that you are not worthy of being in that space. If you had not displayed the capability of being able to learn what you need to learn to achieve you wouldn’t have been offered the opportunities you have been offered. Professional Development: When you think of yourself as the asset in your career you take ownership of figuring out how to develop the skills that you need to improve as a professional. Because you let go of tying your skill set to your feelings of worthiness, you are able to honestly assess what skills you are lacking and develop a plan for obtaining those skills. Growth: You are less likely to remain in places where you cannot grow. When you take ownership of learning the skills you need to achieve the professional goals you have set for yourself it becomes very clear when you are in spaces that are not in alignment with those goals. Ask yourself, have I taken ownership of of my career development or have I given it to someone else? Do I make career decisions based on what I want, or based on what others think I should want? #womenempowerment #womeninlaw #womenintheworkplace #careerdevelopment #careergrowth #growthmindset