2015 in Review: I'm Grateful for the Bumps in the Road

I could write a long, rambling post about the healthy work life challenges I've faced in 2015. However, an unedited version would not serve you well. Career-wise, this personally was a growth year. There was a new role, unlike anything I've held previously.  I've traverse side roads, some with dead ends. I've allowed myself to take missteps. I've also faced more than a few intersections, where I became impatient for the light to change.

I won't bother to sugar-coat it for you, or offer a tale that every aspect included a silver lining. It would not be honest. There were moments where I lost my sense of direction, before frantically consulting the "internal compass" to sort it all out.

However, to my surprise, I am grateful for much of it.

Progress of any kind — whether for an individual or an organization — is often hard fought.

In everyone's path, there should be that moment when you pause to ask the question: "What is my career mission?" During the past 12 months I have pressed that question to its limit. I've looked toward that guiding mission, while balancing what I was willing to give up. These choices were daunting — yet completely career affirming. I've experienced first-hand, that if you find nothing in your work day touches that core mission, you'll likely disengage. Shifting into reverse to avoid the fray, wasn't going to "cut it". You really cannot go back. Realizing this was an important moment.

I remain committed to my core mission: To build healthy, sustainable workplaces. As a psychologistI take this mission very personally.

The upside of the bumpy road:

• I now see the challenge more clearly. For years, we all have been reading about the engagement crisis within organizations today. We've measured and re-measured our pain. However, we may be neglecting core elements that halt forward progress. One issue: Developing organizational programs that once deployed, truly build trust. This isn't entirely into focus. However, I'm glimpsing patterns that may help solve the puzzle. I'm grateful for this.
• Risk is central. I'm learning every day, that measured risk is a part of a meaningful career path. I didn't always believe this. However, in the 21st century, we all have to re-calibrate our paths more frequently. Because we (and our workplaces) evolve, we find ourselves at inflection points that require decisions that are inherently risky. This happens to most of us. (Read more about risk and career from Whitney Johnson here.) There are risky questions to be posed: Do I reveal that I am unhappy in my role? Will sharing an idea, help or hurt my path? Should I turn down a role that does not align with my career mission?
• Perfection is not the standard to create impact. We all harbor doubt. When launching into a new role, project or task — confidence can become the stumbling block that feels much like a brick wall. Remember that while you may feel unprepared — it's likely that what you know is enough to impact the situation. Perfection is not the standard. Moving the needle is. I'm grateful for this realization.

Growth is never a smooth process — more likely it arrives unannounced. Often undetected until you take that long look back.

When you look back on 2015, what do you see?

Dr. Marla Gottschalk is an Industrial/Organizational Psychologist.  She is the Director of Organizational Development at Allied Talent. Their new tool, The Alliance Diagnostic examines how organizational culture supports entrepreneurial thinking and career growth.