Road Workers

For some people, the path to career growth is easy and well organized, but for most of us it's more difficult. Family, spouses, education, employment experience and other interests all come to bear on the decisions that shape our career paths. In fact, at any one moment your career path may not seem particularly obvious. We all know people with "A personalities" and the overarching ambition, which guides their careers, but what of the rest of us? Is a strategic approach to career development worthwhile for those of us with conflicts in our lives? Of course it is!

The first step in developing a career strategy is to take inventory of your career assets and liabilities. Where are you a leader, and where are you more of a follower? Be honest. It's important that you identify your career strengths, but it's even more important to know about your weaknesses. In particular, look for places where you are a follower. This is where you can grow the most. But remember: while you take this inventory, make no judgments about yourself. Look at yourself with open eyes. Because you are building a personal career map, integrity is essential. Everyone imitates other people; it's a pervasive part of social interaction. What's not obvious is that people often feel uncomfortable following others. It makes them feel dependent or inferior, but learning about leadership starts with a complete understanding of what it means to be a follower.

The second step in developing a career strategy is to look carefully at your emotions about following: they're a key to career development. What inspires you? What makes you feel uncomfortable? What do you want and what keeps you from going after it with all the tools you can find? These questions all point to the emotions of being a follower. And, it's not obvious why your career is on hold until you look at the feelings that are holding you back.

© by Todd Royer. All Rights Reserved.

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