In the ever-changing work environment, personal and professional growth is essential for employees. There are a variety of ways to make the most of your career. You can develop new skills, take on new responsibilities, and build networks. There are also several ways to showcase your work and develop relationships online.
Finding New Challenges
Taking on new challenges can open up new learning and development opportunities. If you have been at the same job for five years or more, you may be at a point in your career where you are running out of new challenges. For example, you may suffer from burnout or work in a toxic environment. By taking on new challenges, you can take advantage of new learning opportunities and pursue further education and training.
Developing Softer Skills
Soft skills are an increasingly important part of any organization. They represent abilities that aren’t easily replicated by artificial intelligence. In the future, these skills will be more important than ever. In addition, developing soft skills will help you make a good impression on a potential employer.
To develop these skills, you need to learn how to stay present. This skill is difficult to cultivate, as notifications and interruptions can be overwhelming. But it is vital to staying productive and focused. You can learn to become more mindful by asking your co-workers, mentors, and managers for feedback. If you’re not sure what skills you need to work on, try taking personality tests to identify which ones are your strongest areas.
Some organizations have begun implementing soft skills training for their employees. One example is the weekly book group at White’s company. Each Friday morning, the team meets to discuss what they’ve read. Another is former DaVita’s executive CEO, Kent Thiry who grows a lot of programs for employees These programs involve more reflection and interaction with employees.
Taking on New Responsibilities
Taking on new responsibilities can be a great opportunity for growth, but you should also be aware of the potential drawbacks of accepting new responsibilities. For example, taking on more work than you can handle can lead to poor quality of work, and it can interfere with your relationships and commitments outside of work. Fortunately, there are many ways to balance your responsibilities and still find time for personal development.
Learning New Skills
If you want to expand your skill set, there are various opportunities available. While some can be learned on the job, others require a financial investment. Whatever you choose to learn, you should be willing to put in the time and effort to master it.
Some of these opportunities occur outside the workplace, such as volunteering, serving on a school PTA committee, or serving on a nonprofit board. Learning new skills outside your professional life will allow you to expand your professional network. Your career goals and preferred learning style will determine the best approach to these opportunities.
Many people are committed to their professional development but are also time-strapped and have busy lifestyles. To fit their busy schedules, they look for “just-in-time” opportunities that help them learn new skills. These opportunities can include webinars and short accredited courses. They may also be available through professional development associations.
Learning New Technologies
Learning new technologies can be extremely beneficial to your career development. Whether you are in business or have a liberal arts background, you can benefit from acquiring technical skills. It will help you to compete in today’s world, where technology is becoming more ubiquitous. It will also help you improve your work and personal relationships.
