How can you take a sabbatical from your customer experience career and maintain your skills?

Saber o "por quê" sempre será o melhor ponto de partida! Com propósito, tudo faz mais sentido e ficará, inclusive, melhor para se ter um planejamento adequado.

In the dynamic field of customer experience, professionals often find themselves immersed in the daily demands of ensuring seamless interactions. However, taking a sabbatical can be a strategic move to enhance your skills. Planned breaks can provide fresh perspectives, foster creativity, and ultimately contribute to long-term success. Customer experience professionals across industries, from retail to tech, will find valuable insights on maintaining and even elevating their skills during well-deserved time away. A well-managed sabbatical can help experts stay ahead of the curve, ensuring that, upon return, they bring fresh insights and cutting-edge strategies to enhance the customer journey.

Prepare for your sabbatical by clarifying its purpose, setting achievable goals, and establishing a realistic timeline. Communicate your plans clearly to colleagues and have a return-to-work strategy, outlining any support or flexibility required.

Ter claro para si os objetivos e metas para esse ano sabático s?o o ponto de partida, além de estar em comunica??o com pessoas da área para entender o movimento ao longo do tempo para que caso seja uma meta voltar, estar mais preparado, e buscar estudar como melhorias nessa área podem ser cruciais na boa experiencia do cliente.

Taking a sabbatical from my customer experience career requires strategic planning to stay relevant. Firstly, I would designate time for ongoing learning through online courses, webinars, and industry publications to stay abreast of evolving trends. Engaging in relevant projects or freelance work during the sabbatical can provide practical experience, ensuring my skills remain sharp. Networking remains crucial; staying connected with industry professionals via virtual events and social media helps me stay in the loop. Lastly, documenting my experiences and lessons learned during the sabbatical will contribute to a seamless reintegration into the workforce when I'm about to return.

Use your "Gap Map" I talked about earlier to chart a learning course for yourself. It should include not just books and written materials but also videos, talks, online courses, case studies and even 1-on-1 discussions with as many CX enthusiasts as possible. Incorporating such a diverse range of content in your consumption, as well as perspectives from real individuals that you speak to, is a sure-fire way of learning and growing, particularly in all the areas you have identified in your "Gap Map".

A sabbatical offers a rare chance for introspection. Reflect on your career trajectory, reassess your goals, and align your learning path accordingly to return with renewed vigor and clarity. It’s crucial to view this period not as a hiatus from professional growth, but as an opportunity for holistic skill enhancement. Exploring areas like people management, finance, business strategy, and project management can be immensely beneficial. Use this time to prepare for larger leadership roles. The knowledge gained from adjacent domains, coupled with enhanced communication skills, positions one as a more versatile and effective leader upon return.

Se seu período sabático é devido ao grande estresse que o cargo exige, acredito que a primeira coisa a se fazer é desligar-se de tudo que esteja relacionado a isso. Uma espécie de desintoxica??o. Clareie a sua mente antes de estabelecer qualquer meta de aprendizado, caso contrário ficará apenas sobrecarregado. Fa?a um curso onde as habilidades aprendidas possam ser aplicadas na prática. Um excelente curso que você n?o poderá aplicar seria uma perda de tempo, pois as chances de esquecer boa parte do aprendido s?o grandes.

Another way to keep growing in your skills and expertise while taking a sabbatical is to keep using them even when not in a professional setting. Customer Experience is built on cross functional skills such as interpersonal communication and leadership. These skills can still be applied and built using in day to day life. Allowing you to return from a sabbatical refreshed and with sharper skills.

I've mapped out a game plan for a potential sabbatical in the years to come! While I do not have plans in the near future, I plan to maintain skills by setting clear goals and engaging in continuous learning. I'd utilize online courses and webinars to keep up with industry trends. I'd also apply my expertise in different contexts, such as volunteer work or consulting, to keep skills sharp. As someone who'd take sabbatical from the fitness industry, I'd stay physically active and explore new fitness regimes, to keep in touch with the industry. I'd also document experiences & insights, and maintain connections with my professional network. This would help me return to my career refreshed with updated skills and fresh perspectives.

As a customer experience professional, you know that it's important to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and technologies. However, taking a sabbatical from your career can be a great way to recharge and focus on other areas of your life. You can take a sabbatical from your customer experience career without falling behind. You can also come back to your career refreshed and ready to make a difference.

Manter o seu networking é fundamental, pois atuamos num cenário dinamico e de constantes mudan?as. O período sabático n?o deve se converter um um “reiniciar do zero”

Stay current during your sabbatical: Attend industry events or virtual conferences to connect, learn, and stay informed about trends and innovations.

In addition, you will learn a bit more of what you like/dont like and where your experiences and skillset would serve to be valuable. What I have witnessed in my own journey is that applying my skills in in different segments of an overall software business and other industries is that at the core of almost everything it all starts and ends with the customer. Or at least it should. When you go through this transformation you realize that the customer experience doesnt begin when there is a problem or need but rather when they first make contact with your business. The more contexts you apply your skills in the more you'll come to this realization and the deeper it will extend your understanding for how essential CX is to a business.

In my experience I have been able to support more than a 1000 small businesses across South Africa as a business mentor and coach by applying my skills in the context of small business development. In South Africa there's a huge focus on using entrepreneurship as a tool to drive economic development and as such I've build courses and training programs that are underpinned by CX to help entrepreneurship address the different challenges they face in business such product/service design, investment readiness, developing pricing strategies etc. Because I've been able to apply my cx skills well, this has resulted in signature programs that are different to what the market offers. I am now a sought after business mentor, coach, judge & advisor.

Applying your skills in different contexts involves recognizing the transferability of your expertise and adapting to diverse situations. List your core skills and competencies, such as communication, problem-solving, leadership, and adaptability. Recognize the universal aspects of your skills that can be valuable in different contexts. Research and understand the specific needs and challenges of the new context you're entering. Identify how your skills can address or complement these needs. Stay informed about industry trends and changes in various fields. Actively seek opportunities for professional development to enhance your skill set. Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth.

Expandir sua jornada de conhecimento e aplicabilidade da sua experiencia permitir?o buscar novas jornadas e horizontes num possível retorno do período sabático!

A auto-análise será o principal agente da mudan?a. Saber o que funciona bem pra você, o que gostaria de evitar em oportunidades futuras… Esse conhecimento indicará caminhos a percorrer e auxiliará numa melhor gest?o da sua própria carreira.

Industries with a strong focus on customer-centricity demand professionals at the top of their game. Customer experience enthusiasts in high-pressure sectors will find actionable tips for a seamless transition in and out of a career break. Dive into the world of online courses and certifications tailored for customer experience professionals. Learn how to leverage digital resources during your sabbatical to acquire new skills, stay updated on industry trends, and maintain a competitive edge in your field. Understand how immersing yourself in different sectors can provide valuable perspectives that can be applied to your customer experience role, making you a more versatile and insightful professional.

Stay informed on your sabbatical: Regularly check industry news, blogs, and podcasts to stay updated on the latest developments and insights.