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I have theory about career development - guess what is it is?
You need to make it happen for yourself. You need to own it!
I recently caught up with a coaching client - let's call her Jas who said, 'I was at Company X for 5 years in the same job and no-one, not one of my bosses talked to me about my career!'
It was like she had a epiphany! Boom - light bulb moment.
Sure, she had a development plan but it was always up to Jas to drive the outcomes.
The answer from the boss when she did ask for courses or opportunities,
I will need to check the budget.
I will see if I can put you on X course next year.
or
I am not sure that is the right course for you.
Some leaders just want to keep you where you are because it is easy for them. I have seen this time and time and time again. I have attended many many talent sessions where leaders have actively talked down their team members but then I have not seen them helping them.
You might think - oh, what a terrible company or what a terrible boss but the more women that I speak to - the more I find this is the norm.
Many career programs in corporates are box ticking exercises that they can give to the board and say what a great job they are doing.
Do not outsource your development to the company that you are working at.
You need to own it and drive it yourself.
The great companies with good people know it is the people that make them great. Steven Bartlett at his Melbourne show last night talked about companies being a set of people. He puts 30 hours a week into recruiting the best people that he can for his business. He shared how he professionally flirted with a great Ceo for 5 months to get her to come and work for him.
The great bosses will help you thrive and know that if they develop you then they are setting someone up to take over from them.
The average ones want to keep you in your place - it is a corporate ladder for a reason.
Get curious about your Career.
What would you do if nothing was holding you back! What are the skills and the challenges that you want to work on and who is going to help you get there.
I have talked a few times in the newsletter about my horse-riding.
To be successful in my horse riding I have set myself up in the following way:
1. On the Ground Support.
This is my friend Kerri. Someone that I have ridden with for years and someone that I meet a few times a week and we ride together.
We discuss riding, the horses and a lot of other stuff but she is my on the ground support staff. We give each other ideas and things to work on and we discuss our goals. Kerri is a more experienced rider than me in, she did a lot of showing as a kid.
So in a work sense - this could be a trusted colleague - the key word here being trusted.
2. The Barn Crew
This is a group of women that I hang out with at the horse paddock, we all share stories and talk about our rides and our horses. I also ride with a couple of the ladies - Alice and Rhiannon.
Just like work I don't share stuff with everyone and I also don't ride with everyone.
Key to me is my horse and my safety and as such I am pretty picky who I ride with. You need to have control of your horse and be respectful to other riders if I am going to ride with you. A bit like the office really.
I will literally watch people ride from a distance and choose whether I will or will not ride with them. This is a subconscious thing.
You should definitely do this in the office as well. Work out who is and isn't in your crew.
3. Coaching
I have a weekly riding lesson with Tracey. She is a very experienced international Grand Prix dressage rider. She rode in Denmark and Germany for many years.
I find Tracey pushes me but not too much so that I don't feel overwhelmed.
Tracey works where I keep my horse so it is easy and it keeps me accountable by having this in my schedule. I always feel great when I have a lesson with Tracey. Chilly (my horse) and I do better with her guidance.
This person in the workplace could be a great mentor or boss that you have worked with in the past and they are always great to talk to and make you feel good about yourself.
4. Specialist Coaching
I see a lady named Kate who lives outside of Melbourne a couple of times a year.
Kate is a champion in the areas of riding that I am interested - ranch and trail.
It is about an 8 hour round trip to see Kate. I have recently decided that I am going to start seeing Kate a bit more as I wanting to grow my specialist knowledge.
I would liken this to paid coaching that you can get through work or even personally that you need as you progress your career.
5. Clubs
I also belong to 2 riding clubs. One in Langwarrin and one in Merricks. One is for dressage, and one is for the discipline I ride in.
They have regular classes and clinics where they get other trainers in. Both run these monthly so depending on what the family are doing then I will head to these with some of the Barn crew. A bit like heading to a work event.
How are you supporting your career development and who do you have around you to grow and support your career?
I heard a great the other day that 'women place themselves at the bottom of their to do lists.'
Where are you placing your career development on your to do list?
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