Arrested Development (How to avoid it)

I have mentored a lot of people over the years and am always asked what career and self-development looks like. I think we all have differing interpretations what that looks like and what that ultimately means. So I thought I would take a stab at it, since I have grown, developed and benefited from this in many ways.

First I think it starts with the understanding that you own your career and you have to play a part. Over the years I have seen more than a few think the employer/leader (insert your own word) should be responsible for it all (more on this later), which is only a sliver of reality. More important is the humility to understand that this (development) is a lifelong process, there is always something to learn and everything or person you encounter is an opportunity for growth and development.

Let’s dispel the notion upfront that development means advancement all the time, while that may be true to some extent, there are many who just want to be better at what they do and gain fulfillment from learning, growing and being the best person they can be. I also think that learning also provides us the personal growth to evolve into something better.

There are (at least in my opinion) at least three key components that play a role in helping us along our respective journeys.

The place you work/volunteer for: What this simply means is there is a healthy culture, tools and learning opportunities available for employees to grow and prosper. Culture however is the most important piece, it’s all about equipping and empowering employees to grow, develop with the knowledge that you as an employer you are facilitator to help the employee be their absolute best. It’s the very reason everywhere I have ever worked, I focused on the culture and how a company reflects this in its employees. It’s so important that I have passed on opportunities because I knew those opportunities wouldn’t have been conducive for growth. I have been extremely lucky that I have always worked where the learning was abundant, challenging but more importantly supportive.

The leader you work for: A great leader pushes, partners, supports you and more importantly empowers while helping you to think long term. They understand that if they help you with what you want developmentally, pour themselves into you, in return they know they will get a motivated employee who will give 110% regardless if they move on or not. I can personally attest the best moments in my career have been helping people on to that next role or challenge where they truly blossom. But the qualities of trust, candor, humility, vulnerability should be the hallmark of someone you want to work for. I have been extremely lucky here, I can say to a one, they all have allowed me that freedom, support, encouragement of growth, development and opportunity.

You: This is the most important one of all, it’s in your hands where you want to go. It’s all in your mindset and how you want to attack it. But never rely on your leader or employer to do it for you, you are the owner of where you want to go. For me it’s the following ingredients:

·        Humility to know what you don’t know and having the fortitude to listen all constructive feedback and assuming positive intent in those interactions.

·        Being intellectually curious and asking why or seeking understanding how or why something works the way it does. Reading and considering differing views from your own, this will round you out.

·        Giving back (Charity), believe it or not you will grow and develop in so many ways by helping volunteer in your community, mentoring others and/or supporting a cause or whatever is important to you and getting educated about it. 

·        Seeking feedback (giving permission and staying vulnerable) from others good, bad or indifferent. Often the best advice and guidance have come from colleagues/friends that cared to give me feedback because I was open.

·        Utilizing the tools an employer has at the ready that you have to initiate, often times this is free.

·        Building true relationships with your leader and colleagues, I have regular one on ones with colleagues outside my discipline to learn what they do and how it makes the pieces fit together. Learning in the traditional sense doesn’t have to be structured, but it does have to be consistent.

I can tell you that I have benefited over the years from working on myself along the continuum. It’s this development that has allowed me some pretty cool opportunities and I am sure you all have your own version of what it means to you. My journey will continue and I will work hard on my development to avoid the dreaded Arrested Development. What do you think?