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Abstract

oductivity or save you time?</p><p id="ac50">There are plenty of books, online courses, articles, and YouTube and TED talks on this topic. Alternatively, ask for help from someone who does this well.</p><h1 id="e6c7">6. Are you writing up a storm?</h1><p id="60af">There are different writing skills required for various roles, and sometimes a promotion or a changing role means your existing writing skills may no longer be adequate. Think about what sort of writing is now required.</p><p id="af0c">Do you need to prepare proposals, extensive reports, or business cases?</p><p id="5bd9">Are your emails concise?</p><p id="152e">Are you expected to prepare legal documents or contracts?</p><p id="56c5">Are you required to write marketing or sales content?</p><p id="2a95">Do a quick self-assessment or get some feedback about whether your writing skills are still meeting your role’s needs.</p><p id="dab0">Do you have trouble with spelling, grammar, and editing? Explore how you can improve either via an online or offline course, in-house coaching, or go old school and get yourself some books on grammar.</p><p id="b782">Do you struggle with dyslexia? You may be able to access some tools to help you.</p><h1 id="33a0">7. Are you an industry guru?</h1><p id="2a8f">Whatever your profession or industry, it is bound to be changing daily. New jargon, legislative changes, updated ideas of best practice, and new business models. Whether it’s keeping up to date with current trends or developing your skills, it’s essential to keep learning.</p><p id="2ab3">Do you belong to a professional or industrial body that holds seminars, workshops, and conferences?</p><p id="8532">If there are no funds for conferences or expensive workshops, start following the speakers online and exploring their websites.</p><p id="6302">Is there a professional organizational website with updates and resources?</p><p id="f005">Are there books and articles that you can read to keep up to date?</p><p id="6959">Are there thought leaders in your profession that you can follow on LinkedIn or Facebook groups?</p><p id="3b2f" type="7">“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” — Benjamin Franklin</p><h1 id="166b">8. Do you lead to succeed?</h1><p id="bbde">You are only<a href="https://wendyscottfromauckland.medium.com/10-useful-tips-for-new-leaders-35de46deaab4"> a leader </a>if others follow you. Do a leadership inventory by checking out leadership competencies such as respecting others, collaboration, listening, questioning, motivating, coaching, developing your team, being innovative, and adapting to change.</p><p id="d24f">Does your employer have a leadership program that you could attend or have a leadership competency checklist to assess yourself against?</p><p id="3c5e">Could you undergo a leadership assessment using the 360-degree tool?</p><p id="a7b7">Do you know how your direct reports tick and how to <a href="https://wendyscottfromauckland.medium.com/motivating-your-team-in-a-time-of-overwhelm-and-uncertainty-80c48497529b">get the best out of them?</a></p><p id="8762">Have you and your team completed any sort of personality profiling to facilitate better working relationships?</p><p id="9257">It’s worth having a close look at your skills and getting some feedback from others.</p><figure id="eb85"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/0*bH-cWiCdEJ1he-i_"><figcaption>Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@cowomen?utm_source=medium&utm_medium=referral">CoWomen</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com?utm_source=medium&utm_medium=referral">Unsplash</a></figcaption></figure><h1 id="7077">9. Can you manage your team?</h1><p id="18ca">Is there a requirement to be familiar with project management models or use lean or agile methodologies?</p><p id="e21b">Are you competent with using a performance appraisal system to manage and develop your staff?</p><p id="0c80">Are you familiar with employment relations legislation and what you can and can’t do and say?</p><p id="9bcf">Are you inducting and on-boarding your staff effectively? Are you carrying out regular <a href="https://readmedium.com/one-to-one-meetings-your-most-effective-leadership-tool-91bcfc043287">one-to-one meetings</a> with your team members?</p><p id="e49e">The daily grind of managing your role will be much easier if your competency around the basics is up-to-date. Carve out some time for yourself to up-skill — the investment will pay off in the long run.</p><p id="cea3" type="7">“Achieving the highest possible return on human capital must be every manager’s goal.” — Brian Tracy</p><h1 id="9ae5">10. Are you an award winner?</h1><p id="4af3">One stretch goal could be to enter your work for an award if you haven’t done so before.</p><p id="8e3e">Does your industry have annual awards?</p><p id="b60c">Could you find out what is involved and enter this year?</p><p id="51c8">Or study past winners and benchmark your activity to best practices in your industry?</p><p id="a06f">Even if you don’t submit your work for an award, the exercise of bench-marking against industry leaders may spark some stretch goals or innovative ideas.</p><h1 id="d639">11. Is it time to go back to school?</h1><p id="75c5">Whether you are just starting your career journey, deepening your knowledge, or changing career paths, there are bound to be formal qualifications such as certificates, diplomas, or degrees that you can consider.</p><p i

Options

d="06de">As well as looking at universities in your area consider online study as many universities offer remote learning.</p><p id="e9ac">If you haven’t studied for a while, try one paper to see how you get on.</p><p id="53c8">Think about whether it’s time to do a master’s or a post-grad paper. Most companies will fund job-related study so make sure you find out if any financial assistance is available.</p><p id="1a71" type="7">“The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.” — Aristotle</p><h1 id="5500">12. Could a coach or mentor help you?</h1><p id="d02c">Consider getting someone in your business to teach you something where you have a skills gap or need development. Alternatively, find a mentor who can explore career development possibilities with you by targeted questions and exploring opportunities.</p><p id="da27">Many organizations or employers offer a mentor program. If you can’t find one, ask someone to mentor or coach you on an informal basis.</p><p id="84c9">Ensure you have a clear idea of what outcomes you want at the end of the coaching or mentoring. Think about how regularly you would like to meet, the duration of meetings, and how long the mentoring or coaching will continue (for example, one hour per week for three months).</p><h1 id="008c">13. Are you hungry for a stretch project?</h1><p id="ce4b">Most learning is done on the job (70%) rather than at a formal training (10%) or when undergoing coaching (20%).</p><p id="213e">To get this learning, ask your manager if you can take charge of a project or initiative typically done by someone a level above you. You can agree to check in with your manager periodically for guidance to not go off track.</p><p id="a027">Not only will this give you a good experience, but it will also lighten your manager’s load. It may lead to further challenging work, which will enhance your CV.</p><p id="9910" type="7">“Tell me and I’ll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I’ll understand.” — Chinese Proverb</p><h1 id="5290">14. When the boss is away, do you act up and play?</h1><p id="1f31">Next time your manager takes annual leave, ask if you can ‘act up’ and cover their role. This is a good experience. It looks great on your CV and generates development as you must learn and do what your manager does when covering the role.</p><p id="c375">If someone else in the team usually covers absences, ask if you can take a turn.</p><p id="ca57">If covering for annual leave isn’t an option, ask if you can sit in on meetings with your manager or cover/assist with some projects that they are working on.</p><h1 id="9989">Summary</h1><p id="9ed8">Your development and career progression is up to you, however there is a lot you can do.</p><p id="4f7b">Take steps to:</p><ul><li>Brainstorm your development list</li><li>Prioritize your development</li><li>Review your capacity and</li><li>Get on with it!</li></ul><p id="64ed">Remember that once you have decided what to do, make those development <a href="https://readmedium.com/smart-goals-made-easy-6dabe7e58b64">goals SMART</a>.</p><p id="5142">Good Luck!</p><p id="6830">Formerly published on LinkedIn</p><p id="9914">I write about leadership & training, and I’ve designed The New Leader’s Starter Kit to help leaders better communicate with their teams. Get your free copy <a href="https://artisanal-inventor-759.ck.page/74f7d108ff">here</a>.</p><p id="9c23">The New Leader’s Starter Kit takes you through how to run One-to-Ones and Constructive Feedback sessions & develop effective listening skills — a printable one-to-one form, feedback form and listening skills checklist included.</p><div id="00d3" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/how-to-develop-yourself-for-promotion-6e88a1651e85"> <div> <div> <h2>How to Develop Yourself for Promotion</h2> <div><h3>Get the knowledge and skills you need for your next job</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*HFqv46iRNcVioQhM)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="16e4" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/how-to-make-meaningful-change-4a3aef2e8e2b"> <div> <div> <h2>How to Make Meaningful Change</h2> <div><h3>Try the process that worked for me</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*L-3YL-Bp7H6oxxoX)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="5eb8" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/how-to-ask-for-a-pay-increase-promotion-e0b9b7a8ab6a"> <div> <div> <h2>How To Ask For a Pay Increase & Promotion</h2> <div><h3>Facts, figures and other data that will help you negotiate</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*EdGqRnmy8j3WNnGu)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div></article></body>

Get Your Development On Track

Work out what you need to get ahead

Development is much more than just going on a course, so think creatively about what you can learn. Employers increasingly expect employees to be self-directed and proactive, so consider various approaches and make sure you factor in some stretch goals that challenge you.

‘People in a growth mindset don’t just seek challenge, they thrive on it. The bigger the challenge, the more they stretch.’ — Carol S Dweck, Ph.D. — Mindsets — The New Psychology of Success

According to Carol Dweck in her book ‘Mindsets — The New Psychology of Success’, a growth mindset is essential. This means you believe that it’s possible to improve anything you put your mind to with effort and persistence.

Consider the following areas of expertise and ask yourself whether you could benefit from this type of development. Don’t limit yourself. The longer the list, the better. You can prioritize your development and do a sense check regarding your capacity once you’ve compiled your list.

1. Is your company knowledge up to scratch?

To get better at your job or progress your career, what do you need to know about your company? For example, do you know the business KPIs and how your personal and team goals contribute to them?

Who are your customers, clients, and stakeholders?

What else do you need to know about them to improve your job performance?

Have you seen the current business plan and read the latest company report?

Do you know everything you need to know about how your team operates? How your work, and that of your team, fit in with the rest of the business?

What other knowledge is there in the business that would help you do your job better?

2. Do you leverage your peers for mutual success?

Whether it is colleagues in your team or other areas, managers, customers, or stakeholders, there is usually a way to improve how you work with people.

Who do you have contact with regularly?

How could you improve your working relationship?

Are there any areas where you could improve communications or services provided?

Could you set up some meetings to talk about streamline processes or information flow?

Would it improve your performance to help others get what they need in a more timely and concise way?

If so, set up some meetings to discuss and develop a plan while improving your knowledge of the business.

“The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you.” — B.B. King

3. Are you a systems ninja?

Most of us use online or desktop systems in our jobs, and you must use yours effectively.

Are you using the systems specific to your role to optimum effect?

Does someone else in the office know the system and have the ability to train you?

Can you get some free training from the supplier?

Or could you become the superuser for your team, your department, or even the company?

Many systems have free online training as part of the package that can be accessed online or via the help function. Make sure you utilize it.

4. Or a Microsoft wizard?

Is there any area of Excel, Powerpoint, Word, Outlook where improvement would optimize your performance? Work out precisely what you need to be able to do and explore options for getting up-skilled. If it is a specific report or spreadsheet, can someone in your team help you?

Can you google it, learn on YouTube or find an online course?

Do you need to go to a class?

Does everyone in the team have the same capability, or do one or two people always complete specific tasks? What can you learn from them? Could you become the expert user in your team?

5. Do your organizational skills rock?

A common area for improvement is organizational skills. If you struggle with an overflowing in-box, conflicting priorities, and challenging deadlines, consider investing some time honing your time management skills.

Where could improvement help your productivity or save you time?

There are plenty of books, online courses, articles, and YouTube and TED talks on this topic. Alternatively, ask for help from someone who does this well.

6. Are you writing up a storm?

There are different writing skills required for various roles, and sometimes a promotion or a changing role means your existing writing skills may no longer be adequate. Think about what sort of writing is now required.

Do you need to prepare proposals, extensive reports, or business cases?

Are your emails concise?

Are you expected to prepare legal documents or contracts?

Are you required to write marketing or sales content?

Do a quick self-assessment or get some feedback about whether your writing skills are still meeting your role’s needs.

Do you have trouble with spelling, grammar, and editing? Explore how you can improve either via an online or offline course, in-house coaching, or go old school and get yourself some books on grammar.

Do you struggle with dyslexia? You may be able to access some tools to help you.

7. Are you an industry guru?

Whatever your profession or industry, it is bound to be changing daily. New jargon, legislative changes, updated ideas of best practice, and new business models. Whether it’s keeping up to date with current trends or developing your skills, it’s essential to keep learning.

Do you belong to a professional or industrial body that holds seminars, workshops, and conferences?

If there are no funds for conferences or expensive workshops, start following the speakers online and exploring their websites.

Is there a professional organizational website with updates and resources?

Are there books and articles that you can read to keep up to date?

Are there thought leaders in your profession that you can follow on LinkedIn or Facebook groups?

“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” — Benjamin Franklin

8. Do you lead to succeed?

You are only a leader if others follow you. Do a leadership inventory by checking out leadership competencies such as respecting others, collaboration, listening, questioning, motivating, coaching, developing your team, being innovative, and adapting to change.

Does your employer have a leadership program that you could attend or have a leadership competency checklist to assess yourself against?

Could you undergo a leadership assessment using the 360-degree tool?

Do you know how your direct reports tick and how to get the best out of them?

Have you and your team completed any sort of personality profiling to facilitate better working relationships?

It’s worth having a close look at your skills and getting some feedback from others.

9. Can you manage your team?

Is there a requirement to be familiar with project management models or use lean or agile methodologies?

Are you competent with using a performance appraisal system to manage and develop your staff?

Are you familiar with employment relations legislation and what you can and can’t do and say?

Are you inducting and on-boarding your staff effectively? Are you carrying out regular one-to-one meetings with your team members?

The daily grind of managing your role will be much easier if your competency around the basics is up-to-date. Carve out some time for yourself to up-skill — the investment will pay off in the long run.

“Achieving the highest possible return on human capital must be every manager’s goal.” — Brian Tracy

10. Are you an award winner?

One stretch goal could be to enter your work for an award if you haven’t done so before.

Does your industry have annual awards?

Could you find out what is involved and enter this year?

Or study past winners and benchmark your activity to best practices in your industry?

Even if you don’t submit your work for an award, the exercise of bench-marking against industry leaders may spark some stretch goals or innovative ideas.

11. Is it time to go back to school?

Whether you are just starting your career journey, deepening your knowledge, or changing career paths, there are bound to be formal qualifications such as certificates, diplomas, or degrees that you can consider.

As well as looking at universities in your area consider online study as many universities offer remote learning.

If you haven’t studied for a while, try one paper to see how you get on.

Think about whether it’s time to do a master’s or a post-grad paper. Most companies will fund job-related study so make sure you find out if any financial assistance is available.

“The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.” — Aristotle

12. Could a coach or mentor help you?

Consider getting someone in your business to teach you something where you have a skills gap or need development. Alternatively, find a mentor who can explore career development possibilities with you by targeted questions and exploring opportunities.

Many organizations or employers offer a mentor program. If you can’t find one, ask someone to mentor or coach you on an informal basis.

Ensure you have a clear idea of what outcomes you want at the end of the coaching or mentoring. Think about how regularly you would like to meet, the duration of meetings, and how long the mentoring or coaching will continue (for example, one hour per week for three months).

13. Are you hungry for a stretch project?

Most learning is done on the job (70%) rather than at a formal training (10%) or when undergoing coaching (20%).

To get this learning, ask your manager if you can take charge of a project or initiative typically done by someone a level above you. You can agree to check in with your manager periodically for guidance to not go off track.

Not only will this give you a good experience, but it will also lighten your manager’s load. It may lead to further challenging work, which will enhance your CV.

“Tell me and I’ll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I’ll understand.” — Chinese Proverb

14. When the boss is away, do you act up and play?

Next time your manager takes annual leave, ask if you can ‘act up’ and cover their role. This is a good experience. It looks great on your CV and generates development as you must learn and do what your manager does when covering the role.

If someone else in the team usually covers absences, ask if you can take a turn.

If covering for annual leave isn’t an option, ask if you can sit in on meetings with your manager or cover/assist with some projects that they are working on.

Summary

Your development and career progression is up to you, however there is a lot you can do.

Take steps to:

Brainstorm your development list
Prioritize your development
Review your capacity and
Get on with it!

Remember that once you have decided what to do, make those development goals SMART.

Good Luck!

Formerly published on LinkedIn

I write about leadership & training, and I’ve designed The New Leader’s Starter Kit to help leaders better communicate with their teams. Get your free copy here.

The New Leader’s Starter Kit takes you through how to run One-to-Ones and Constructive Feedback sessions & develop effective listening skills — a printable one-to-one form, feedback form and listening skills checklist included.