Professional Development: Where Can I Get the Most Return on My Investment

Personal and professional development is essential to the growth of your business, but it can be difficult to determine what should be prioritized for employee development. It's often difficult to justify the financial expense that goes into developing employees, so it helps to understand why you should invest in growth.

Here are three reasons why your organization should be focusing on personal and professional growth:

1. You'll Obtain Better Talent

A strong learning culture led to 30-50% high retention rates in companies. (Robert Half)

Employee development is an investment in future growth for your business. Having an employee who is constantly learning and growing will provide a more valuable contribution to your company than a seasoned worker who remains stagnant. By investing in growth, you will attract higher-quality talent because prospective employees will realize the importance of growth within your business model. This high-quality workforce can make a big difference in company culture and production value going forward, which leads us to...

2. You'll Have A More Inclusive Workplace Culture

43% of surveyed employees claim corporate culture was the main reason for their search for a new job. (Hays)

Culture is formed when behaviors are done over and over again by a group. When you are intentionally and deliberately investing in your team's development, you signal that they are important, necessary, and integral. As your team grows, those investments pay out dividends by creating an inclusive culture for all employees. As your employees continue to grow, the organization should grow along with them, creating a workplace culture that fosters innovation, collaboration, and future vision.

3. Your Customers Will Feel The Positive Effects

As the work environment nurtures employees, customers will also feel the positive pacts with higher quality products and services that speak directly to their needs. When employees have more opportunities to sharpen their skills and abilities, they are more likely to apply those insights and efficiencies into their daily work. The growth of your workforce will directly correlate to the growth of your business as long as you are providing development tools for each employee along the way! Remember that these benefits are only attainable if you provide growth opportunities for your employees.

Here are four growth opportunities that can help you invest in your team's professional development:

1. On-Demand Learning Platforms

There are numerous online learning platforms that provide cost-effective tools to develop individual skill sets such as Udemy, Skillshare, and Coursera. Let's say you have an employee who wants to perfect their project management skills. Imagine if that employee communicated it with their manager and there was a free-to-the-employee option provided by the organization and allocated time within the workday to research options and learn.

If you don't make the time for your employees to learn and grow, they will start looking for other organizations that support their development.

2. Books / ERGs / Seminars

Encourage growth by giving each employee assigned books/tasks/seminars relevant to their skill set every month. Create and support learning pods and study groups Doing so isn't costly and encourages growth, creating a cohesive workplace culture throughout your organization. Switch it up by alternating who leads the group each month and don't forget to reward the efforts of the group with more public recognition upon completion. Many larger firms have ERGs (Employee Resource Groups) that are employee-run and company-supported. There's no reason why the size of the company should matter if the intention is the same - to support, educate and empower engaged employees!

3. Networking Opportunities

Networking opportunities allow your employees to learn from their peers within your organization, industry, and beyond. The pandemic has made it tricky to meet face-to-face, but with some intentional and deliberate introductions, employees are better able to expand their networks and share experiences with other growth-oriented professionals. Associations and professional networking groups are great for employees who want to put themselves out there. LunchClub is also a great free option to connect with specific industries and interests. You also have a Roladex of contacts that with some curious questions, you could better able match with inquisitive team members.

4. Group and Individual Coaching

We are definitely biased by the power of coaching. Employees at one of our longest-standing global clients rate coaching as the top employee benefit at the company. Coaching works on a deeper level to unlock the unique talents, experiences, and expertise of each employee to build confidence, expand leadership presence and problem solve in a crisis.

According to the International Coaching Federation (ICF), 80% of people who receive coaching report increased self-confidence, and over 70% improved work performance, relationships, and more effective communication skills.

Coaching is definitely a financial investment for the organization, but the numbers don't lie. In multiple studies, The International Coach Federation (ICF) has shown that coaching usually generates an ROI of between $4 and $8 for every dollar invested.

Investments in employee growth should not be limited to those in leadership positions; rather, all employees across the company should be encouraged to participate in learning opportunities through ongoing personal and professional development training or by taking advantage of growth opportunities associated with company goals and initiatives.

When it comes down to it, growth has multiple benefits. It is not just important for your employees but is also crucial for your business' success! Grow your team today with personal and professional development growth strategies!

Contact us today to design your team’s Professional Development Strategy.

My Work-Life Balance Wake Up

This past week I spoke at a Career Accelerator Workshop for proposal management professionals on the topic of Work-Life Balance.

Confession: I was completely triggered by the topic and session title I was assigned – It’s a Marathon Not a Sprint: Work-Life Balance for the Long Haul

Why was I triggered?

I heard people talk about balance like it’s the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow or an elusive unicorn waiting just beyond the horizon. There are tons of self-help books, podcasts, and classes about mastering it. Insert yoga class, meditation, essential oils, and kale and voila, we can achieve Work-Life Balance! Even with the best intentions, these positive practices last a week or two before the common stressors of life kick in like an unappreciative boss, sick kids, a computer glitch, etc that set us back into our self-destructive ways.

Why do I know this?

This is what I do for a living. I work with people to get motivated and de-stress. I’m known for helping people with burnout recovery and prevention.

The Real Reason

Because this is me. I SHOULD have it all together, but just like the shoemaker with no shoes, I am guilty of negative self-speak, lethargy, over-consumption of crap television and junk food (sour cream and onion chips!). I was in a daze of distraction of late nights binging on Netflix to self-assigned dead-end projects knowing they didn’t serve me or my business. I was spinning my wheels and I was aware that I wasn’t gaining traction. My energy sucked, I put on 15 lbs. and I couldn’t look on Instagram without hating myself and 98% of the people posting.

I’m not writing this as a reflective story from five years ago. This happened just a few weeks ago. I wrote my first book in August and got an amazing response and I thought naively that the momentum would continue and the next idea for a book would come rushing in. But it didn’t.

I then decided to make an ego-rocking decision to move from my amazing apartment in the sky with picture perfect views to a studio with 40% less space, no view and more quirks than I knew what to do with. I got rid of my furniture and non-essentials. I thought the less stuff and space would give me an opening to create. It didn’t. Instead I felt claustrophobic, isolated and paralyzed. My space didn’t make me feel successful. An ounce of clutter overwhelmed my sight line. A dirty dish became an impossible task. My bed became my home base where I spent more hours in then I want to admit.

Who was I to be giving advice on Work-Life Balance, when my world seemed to be merging into a blob of funk??

This was my real trigger. I felt like an impostor. How could I be the expert on balance when I was struggling to get myself out of bed? How could I inspire people to be confident in their own skin when I didn’t feel comfortable in my own?

It wasn’t until my grandmother’s funeral the week before Thanksgiving that it clicked. I had been focusing on what wasn’t there or what was lacking. My brain was on high alert pinpointing everything that wasn’t working. But there’s nothing like people who knew you when you had a snotty nose and were missing teeth.

My family that I hadn’t seen for 15+ years didn’t care that I wasn’t writing another book – they were happy I wrote the one I did and that it was dedicated to my grandma, Dolly. They didn’t care that I put on weight – they had nothing to compare it to. They were just happy to see me and to hear my stories honoring Dolly. They loved me because I showed up as me.

My heart filled up to a level I didn’t know I had been missing. I was open to receive and to listen to what I needed.

What was out of balance?

I was out of alignment with familial connection. I was so focused with creating, entertaining and managing other people, that I forgot about my own need for connection. I excused it away as people being busy, but I missed my family and my friends.

After returning home, I decided to get my shit together and park the pity train at the station. I signed up for a 4-week workout/meal plan challenge at the insistence of one of my clients (yes, even the coach can get coached!) and have stuck with it. I asked for help from my amazing neighbors who volunteered their space for me to work out of and store my over-sized furniture. I can now see my floor and access both windows in my 395-foot space. I started writing again – hence this blog post.

Most importantly I spoke to that room of proposal management professionals not as an uppity expert, but as a human being doing the best I could. Instead of reading slides and telling people what to do, I offered tools and encouraged them to trust themselves and listen to what their body and soul really needed.

See, it’s not about the perfect amount of time or energy that you spend at work and home, but about how you spend it. It’s an ongoing check-in with yourself about what’s working and what’s not. When you make it about your choice and your terms, you have the ability to reframe any situation or make new decisions that better serve you. When you take care of yourself first and foremost you can better support and take care of others around you!

I Suck at Sales and Social Media, What Do I Do? Stop Selling, Start Connecting

Last night was the July installment of The SpitFire Circle, a monthly meeting of small business owners who come together to share their experiences and learn from one another while being challenged to get to the root of their blocks to success. Every month the dynamic is slightly different with a shift in industries represented, from makers to photographers to writers to travel consultants, but one thing has remained true for the last six months, people hate selling!

Whether it’s online or in person, that cringe of icky creeps up in their gut and builds in their throat. You would think they were being tortured. For many it feels like that. The slimy tactics taught in seminars and best-selling books preach tactics like “creating urgency”, “building demand” and “always be closing” and they clearly do not fit for many entrepreneurs.

But with products to sell and bills to pay, they’ve got to make it work, but on their terms.

What If I Suck at Social Media?

Last night this topic came up in our discussion. “I know I suck at sales, but I have to do it” said one maker. “I especially despise selling on social media. I feel extremely disconnected and out of place.”

“So what do you love about your business?” I asked.

“I love making things and designing a product for a need.”

“So what if you could tell the story of your design and share the products with people who would love them and need them?”

“That would be great, but where do I find them?”

“That’s a great question, let’s look at who you’re designing for.”

After some deeper questions, we were able to identify that her customer was a lot like her – sensible, environmentally conscious, appreciated well-made and handmade goods, would spend money for a better product.

We continued the probing questions…

“So what accounts do you really like on Instagram?”

The list of accounts poured out like a coupon stream at CVS. (You know what I’m talking about.) She wrote them down.

“Ok. Now you know what they’re interested in. What if you reached out to a couple of people on those accounts you like and asked them to check your product out?”

“How do I do that? That seems really presumptuous and pushy.”

“It’s all in the tone. Imagine that there is this amazing product out there that you’ve never seen until one day you get a direct message from someone asking you to try it in exchange for posting about it. Does that seem pushy?”

“No. That sounds pretty awesome. I’d love to get free things.”

“This is relationship or influencer marketing. The idea is to build a relationship with people who you think will really love your product. Unlike other tactics where people pay money to post about their product, this is a true business to consumer relationship. Your goal is to connect and maintain the connection with the customer, so when you’ve got new products coming out, you know you can turn to them for some awesome feedback and potential promotion. How does that sound?”

“Awesome, but what do I say? What if they say no?”

“Start a conversation and ask if they’d be interested. If they say no or don’t respond, move on to the next. It’s a numbers game ultimately, so start with 5-7 accounts that you really dig and don’t take it personally.”

Transaction Complete… Now What?

You’ve made the sale as you’ve done so may times before, but then you never see them again.

“How do I keep people’s attention without being annoying?” asked a canine-focused entrepreneur.

“Define annoying.” I asked.

“Well sending multiple emails and salesy posts about products. That stuff gets old.”

“What would you want to hear from a brand you love?”

“Hmm I love fun contests where I can either get reposted or win product.”

“That’s a great place to start. What information are you looking in return from your customers who respond?”

“I want to know what they love about their dogs and why they use my product and not someone else’s so I can tweak the messaging or specifics of the product, but I feel weird asking it.”

“So what’s a more playful way to ask that in a contest-based format?”

“Hmm I could run a competition asking people ‘What do you love about your dog?’ or ‘What does your dog love about our product?’ or I could ask them to post pictures with them using their product with their dog.”

“That sounds awesome.”

Here we have an example of expanding your relationships to build trust while gathering necessary information to help you improve your product or service while providing value.

But what happens if you don’t get any responses?

Keep tweaking the messaging or build your audience. Either the content or the target is off, but the key is to keep trying. You may have a lot of “Nos” or crickets, but trust and believe in the awesomeness of yourself and your product.

About The SpitFire Circle

The SpitFire Circle is a monthly in person meet up in Southwest Washington, DC facilitated by Strategic Business Coach, Lauren LeMunyan. If you’d like more information or to attend, please visit www.spitfirecoach.com/group  (Online SpitFire Circles Coming Soon!)

Attention Entrepreneurs: Stop Your “Hustle”, “Grind” and “Struggle”

You may have a shirt or mug with a version of one of these phrases…

“Rise and Grind”

“The Hustle is Real”

“The Struggle is Necessary”

It’s become the mantra for entrepreneurs and new business owners. “I’ve gotta struggle, hustle and grind to make it” you think to yourself.

Really?! When did that become desirable or cool?

That’s the mindset you want to wake up to everyday? That’s your inspiration for leaving your cozy guaranteed paycheck with benefits and days off?

“Sleep is for the weak. I’ll sleep with I’m dead.”

Good luck with that. Sleep deprivation is the killer of your healthy, clarity and creativity. You know, those necessary elements needed to start and run a business.

“Entrepreneurship is risky. I’ve gotta throw everything I have at it.”

Yes, with anything there are risks, but before you go investing in online master classes, programs, software and virtual assistants, get yourself a plan. Sit down and think about what you want to accomplish. Well first make sure you get some sleep and are hydrated (self-care is paramount). Calculate your risks.

Get Real With Yourself.

What are you willing to lose financially, energetically, logistically? How much time do you currently have to spare? What is reasonable to accomplish with that time? Can you stay in your current position while you build your dream?

What’s Your Urgency Really About?

Anytime I hear people talk about their business with any of those three words, it’s a red flag. This can be about proving to others that you’re a success, challenging the naysayers, or providing for your family. The common theme — these are all externally charged, which makes you more prone to burn out and a short fuse of patience.

“Well I didn’t mean those words like that.”

Words are powerful and also provide clues to inner dialogues. I suggest you explore your own internal conversation about what being an entrepreneur is really about. It’s not glamorous, but no where is it written that you can’t enjoy yourself, have a balanced life or have fun. If you want to chase those millions and billions, go for it, but first ask yourself why. Why is that figure or target so important? How will it change things in your life? What small steps can you take today towards living your most fulfilling life?

“Do you not like money or something?”

Oh I love money! I love saving it, investing it and earning it. I know it flows and comes in when I’m in my most powerful state. When I stop worrying what everyone thinks or where the next check is going to come from, I take the necessary steps to attract in awesome opportunities.

The next time you think about your finances — do you want to grind, hustle or struggle? Choose your words carefully. They have more power than you think.

The 13 Most Common Entrepreneurial Pitfalls: Source, Symptoms and Remedies

It seems that everyone on Instagram is an Entrepreneur or CEO. What used to be a high risk and scary choice, has now been glamorized into fast money, luxurious lifestyles, and ready-set-go businesses.

A picture is worth a thousand words, but the stories behind the glossy pictures are anything but fancy. I know the true stories of self-doubt, self-sabotage, and business burnout.

Over the years I’ve seen the same 13 challenges and entrepreneurial pitfalls in myself, my clients, and other entrepreneurs:

1. Not Having a Clear Focus/Mission

2. Trying to Be All Things to All People

3. Lack of Revenue Diversity — Relying on One Client

4. Imposter Syndrome

5. DIYitis

6. Isolation

7. Burning the Candle at Both Ends/Lack of Self-care

8. Taking it Personal and Not Making it About the Client/Customer

9. Not Going All In/ Not Showing Up at 100%

10. Not Charging the Appropriate Amount (usually too little)

11. Investing in Tactics and Not Youself or Business

12. Not Taking/Accepting Help

13. Expecting Success to Come Easy with Minimal Effort

But how do we overcome these challenges and entrepreneurial pitfalls?

We start a new conversation.
We get honest
We get real and we get to the root of the issue.
Simple right? Now go do it!

It would be unfair to leave you with a list and a simple three-sentence plan.

In the next section, we’re going to dive into the source, symptoms, and remedy for each pitfall. Before we get going, I suggest writing down, the numbers of your pitfalls. Don’t be afraid… I deal with and have dealt with all 13!

1. Not Having a Clear Focus/Mission

Source: Information overload. The entrepreneur starts with an initial excitement and idea to follow and then, like Pac Man, starts gobbling up all the ideas. With a lack of organization and filtration device, the ideas get muddied. What once started as vibrant colors and ideas have now mixed into a glob of muck.

Symptoms: Squirrely focus. Distracted easily. Persuaded easily by others. Overwhelmed. Frustrated. Frazzled. “Yes” to all the things.

Remedy: Stop. It’s time to go back to square one before the business was ever in motion. What was the core idea or inspiration? What about it excited and motivated you? This is where your new mission and focus will be developed. If you are still unclear, reach out to trusted advisors or a business coach for clarity. This will be uncomfortable at the start but stick with it until you feel a focused energy.

2. Trying to Be All Things to All People

Source: People pleasing tendencies. Not wanting to disappoint people by saying no. Desire to be “The Nice Girl or Guy.” Seeking of Likeability.

Symptoms: Burnout. Overloaded schedule. Triple bookings.  Feeling of being taken advantage of. Plays roles that don’t suit skillset. Feeling of being helpful, but helpless. May suffer from reoccurring colds or illness.

Remedy: The Triple D Method to Time Management. All decisions will be based on the following three criteria:

• Doability: Can it be done with the current resources (time, skill, and manpower) as requested? If no, see “Delegatability.” If yes, see “Desirability.”

• Desirability: Does this feel like a treat or punishment? If it’s a treat, get it done! If it’s a punishment, see “Delegability” or use the power of “No.”

• Delegatability: Can this task realistically be performed by someone other than you? If yes, delegate away. If no, and it failed the “Desirability” and “Doability,” that’s a “Triple D Fail.”

You are only to say yes if it’s a “Triple D Success.”

3. Lack of Revenue Diversity — Relying on One Client

Source: Security. High Levels of Trust. Single Focus.

Symptoms: Scarcity mentality. Anxiety around outside factor. Worry around when the well will dry up. All or nothing mentality. Increased stress. Lack of sleep. Weight gain/Weight loss related to stress.

Remedy: Business Development. Who are the next 3-5 organizations/clients that would benefit from your services? It’s time to pick up the phone or write some emails. If a client is responsible for more than 40% of your revenue, it’s time to diversify. It’s easier to make up 40% than 100%.

4. Imposter Syndrome

Source: Lack of confidence. Self-doubt. Limiting beliefs around being qualified/verified. Past examples of failure, being unsure, witnessing failure in others.

Symptoms: Self-sabotage. Not showing up as an expert or thought leader. Playing small. Selling self-short.

Remedy: Create Your Credentials. Just like in school you had to pass a core curriculum, now is your chance. Write down a list of the credentials you need to be a qualified entrepreneur. Seriously. Don’t make it about anyone else. What do you need to learn, experience, gain expertise in, connect to? Create a 101, 201, 301 and 401 syllabi and go from there. After you’ve accomplished your course load, you get to graduate! Yes, you need a ceremony, cap, gown, and diploma!

5. DIYitis

Source: Lack of trust. Past disappointment. My-way-is-the-only-way mindset.

Symptoms: Overwhelm. Overload. Burnout. Distrust. Micromanaging others. Taking back control after delegating. Not outsourcing when appropriate. Slowing down progress. Project stall out.

Remedy: Recruit a Trusted Partner. Whether it’s a colleague or coach, you need someone who has your back and will give you honest feedback and input. You can’t do it all and you shouldn’t have to. What do you need support with? What can you easily move off your plate? Start small and work to build trust with others. If you assume everyone will burn you, you’re probably attracting in people who will. What if you could set your sites on someone who will be truthful and direct with you? Even if you don’t like what they have to say, at least you know where they stand. And how awesome would it be to move things off your plate and focus on your strengths?!

6. Isolation

Source: Fear of rejection. Desire to focus inwards. Introversion.

Symptoms: Refuses social invitations. Lack of networking and connection with others. (See DIYitis). Rejection of idea sharing and brainstorming.

Remedy: Exposure. Sign up for a Meet-Up group or networking event. Call a friend or two. Meet a colleague or client for coffee. Get a shower, get dressed and get out there. Your home office funk is seeping into your pores, it’s time to fresh up your body, mind, and brain!

7. Burning the Candle at Both Ends and Lack of Self-care

Source: Assumption of Machine-Like Abilities. False Sense of Unlimited Energy.

Symptoms: At its most extreme level, illness and burnout. Initially, it is shown as an unstoppable force. Others envy their unstoppable abilities that seem like the Energizer Bunny. For outsiders, they keep going and going without sleep. Without necessary care and recharge, they undoubtedly crash.

Remedy: Sleep (7 hours+), Meditation (5-10 minutes per day), Walking outdoors, Yoga, Nutritious food. If you’re familiar with Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, these are at the foundation. If you want to run efficiently like a machine, you’ve gotta keep it fueled and serviced.

8. Taking it Personal and Not Making it About the Client

Source: Fear of being wrong. Fear of failure. Scarcity mentality. Over-personification with business.

Symptoms: By only focusing on one opinion, the entrepreneur is either all right or all wrong. There is no gray area. With a personal single focus, decisions are made on emotional impulse and reaction. Feelings of disconnection and rejection. Internalization of rejection. Judgment. Energy sinks with each rejection.

Remedy: Objectification. You are not the business and the business is not you. Your business is your product/service for clients/customers. By focusing on the needs of those purchasing your goods and services, you can make comprehensive, data-driven and objective decisions. Each failure and success may be a result of your decision, but it does not define who you are.

9. Not Going All In or Not Showing Up at 100%

Source: (See Imposter Syndrome) Lack of confidence. Fear of failure. Fear of success.

Symptoms: Hesitation. Underselling expertise. Lack of risk taking. Unconfident body language. Fidgeting and lack of focus in conversation.

Remedy: (See Imposter Syndrome Remedies) Get to Your Why. It goes back to your why? Why are you an entrepreneur? Why are you taking some safe risks, but not the necessary ones to grow? What are you really afraid of?

10. Not Charging the Appropriate Amount

Source: Fear of rejection. Getting into Client’s Story. Assumption of Value. Interpretation of Lower Value. Lack of Confidence.

Symptoms: Stating prices and then quoting lower. Assuming client doesn’t want to or can’t pay prices. Afraid of people saying no. Consistently take money off of the table before the negotiation has begun. Acknowledges they could be making more, but find it hard to ask.

Remedy: Set Your Prices, Value, and Rationale. This is where you let the facts run the show. Do your research, how much are your competitors charging and what is an appropriate rate? What value do you bring to the table (see your credibility exercise in Imposter Syndrome)? Now write down your rationale for each price. This is your new internal and external script. Until you know it by heart and believe it, you depend on it.

11. Investing in Tactics and Not Yourself or Business

Source: Belief in the Magical Pill. Immediate Gratification. Avoidance of Discomfort. Lack of Focus or a Plan.

Symptoms: Multiple purchases of “Get Rich Quick” or “Learn this Tactic” program, but fails to full implement or see results. Thousands of dollars have been spent, but not invested. Uses language like “If only I…” or “When this gets done, then I’ll be successful.” Frustration at lack of results. Blames others for lack of success.

Remedy: The Mirror. What is it that you’re avoiding that you’ve been needing to do in your business? What are you not taking care of within yourself or relationships? The issues we see in our business are a direct reflection of what we’re not managing internally. Take a deep hard look in the mirror and start asking for help.

12. Not Taking or Accepting Help

Source: (See DIYitis) Lack of trust. Fear of burdening others. Fear of disappointing others.

Symptoms: Overwhelmed. Low energy. Dejected. Feeling like a failure.

Remedy: Stock Your Shelves. Just like in a supermarket, you’re going to do an inventory check. What are you feeling low or out of supply in? Motivation, support, a hug? Note what you need and then look at your supplies. Who around you can support you in restocking your shelves? Reach out and ask for exactly what you need. I guarantee you’ve got a long line of people ready to help you!

13. Expecting Success to Come Easy with Minimal Effort

Source: Instagram-Insta-Success Stories. Comparison. Instant Gratification.

Symptoms: Lack of patience. Frustration at delays. Anger. Dejectedness. Impulsive decision making. Quick-fix program purchases.        

Remedy: Build Your Blueprint. What does success look like for you? How long will it really take to get there? What resources do you need to support it? What daily, weekly, monthly tasks do you need to support it? What’s your contingency plan if it doesn’t work out?

The Key to Successfully Overcoming Entrepreneurial Pitfalls

The key is to think on a longer timeline. You may have daily wins and challenges, but your business will hopefully have a longer shelf-life than 2 weeks. Patience is the key.

If you have overnight success, the bar gets set even higher next time and the chances of disappointment are even greater. Start smaller and build from there. Consistency, patience, and follow through are your best friends.

It’s not sexy, but neither is losing everything and living on your mom’s couch.

My Boss is Being a Jerk. What Do I Do to Not Lose My Shit?

My Boss is Being a Jerk. What Do I Do to Not Lose My Shit?

That was the text message I received from a client minutes ago.  Her boss is notorious for pushing her buttons and triggering a stress reaction. This is what I said to her.

Step 1: Walk away calmly

Step 2: Get some water and take slow sips

Step 3: Get outside and walk while taking deep breaths

Step 4: Imaging him as a cartoon

It seemed to do the trick, so now I’m passing it along.

The Five Steps to Getting Promoted

I recently spoke to a group of mid-level professionals who were seeking guidance on progressing in their career. Like most of us, they feel frustrated by the lack of upward mobility and even more confused about what to do.

Below is a five-step strategy to understand where you are, where you want to go and how to get there.

Step 1: Your Why

Think about the title you want to have. What do you want and why do you want to get there? If you were promoted, what would be different in your life (positive and negative)? How would you feel? What else would be impacted?

Step 2: Research

Using similar job descriptions, observing and asking people in similar positions, research the training, skills, experience, and attributes needed to do the job. If it’s not clear, ask. Look around at other companies and industries with similar job descriptions.

Step 3: Self-Audit

Now that you’ve looked into what’s needed, you can assess where you are what you need to do in order to get there. It is critical that you are honest with yourself. I recommend scoring yourself on a scale of 1 – 10 for each area. Anything below an 8, will need further action. I would also recommend asking for feedback from a trusted source about your strengths and areas of improvement. This is not fun and can be critical, but if this is really something you want, it’s worth the work and temporary discomfort.

Step 4: Resources

With your areas of improvement in the forefront, you can now look at the resources you need in order to improve. Is it more time in a role?  Additional training? Public speaking experience? Team building and management? At this stage you can match up what you need to improve and how to do it. Create a manageable strategy to accomplish your goals. I recommend doses of daily focus (an hour or less) to stay on track. Create a plan before diving in to prevent over-scheduling overload.

Step 5: Allies

A support network is imperative to keep you on track on your path. Whether it’s a mentor, supervisor, a coach, friends or family, these people will be there to give you honest feedback and advice to take the best step towards your goal.