Career Development: Archetyping behavioural change.

Understanding archetypes of learners can drive a more contextual approach to career change or why you should do an MBA to forge career sustainability.

Seasoned professionals face a growing need to assess their development and career path more than ever before. When we are starting out, we are eager and hungry to do almost anything. As we hit 30, if we don’t get an MBA, we see our career opportunities begin to shrivel up and salary plateau. What pushes people to do a top MBA is that this degree programme acts as a career catalyst. Either it boosts are options within our business practice or it gives us a rare chance to jump into another business practice at a higher level on the basis of the new tools and skills we have gained. This calculus grows when we get our pedigree from a top business school.

Aspiring professionals are told from the start of their studies and early internships to tackle organisational capabilities and find a way to work on transformative strategies in order to move up the job ladder quickly. Creating enduring and impactful change becomes the name of the game. Failure to create sustainable behaviour shifts often stems from a fundamental misunderstanding of how the workplace really functions and how we can navigate our space within the organisation we work for.

What many do not get is that there is no “one-size-fits-all” option. We work, keep our heads down, and then we burn out. The old ways of defining career success are clearly outdated. Success is such an open-ended term it can mean everything and nothing. In the material world, most people measure success with what they own, how much money they have in the bank, and whether they can afford luxuries on a regular basis. Aristotle would not have agreed with this definition although he would describe it as having extrinsic value.

What we need to succeed is not taught in school. Workplace culture drives us in the opposite direction. What we should be seeking is a newer and healthier mindset. We all have needs and engagement preferences. However, what we truly need is the capability to build compassion for our Self and then to share the wealth with others.

I’ve met many people who have great potential and yet some of them feel uninterested or unwilling to learn and implement new skills to enhance their wellbeing. Think absentee-landlord. They own the real estate but rather than take care of it, they let the property deteriorate. Is this what we are doing when it comes to managing our careers in the hope it will give us satisfaction and happiness?

To become a better learner, it is time to understand archetyping as a helpful tool to segment what you need from what you want. It can also be used to create a more contextual and targeted approach to personal growth. Targeted growth leads to enduring change. Are you an eager learner, cynic, satisfied, or a champion? Remember, real leaders do not need titles. They are out front, mentoring, persuading, and steering the project for the benefit of all.

One of my favourite leaders is HH The Dalai Lama. He doesn’t refer to himself as a “leader”, but as a simple monk. In his most recent book, “Heart to Heart” he holds a conversation on love and hope for our precious planet. His chat is with a panda bear who knocks on his door in Dharamsala with a set of questions and receives wisdom with his warming cup of tea. As he shares with the panda what the world needs now is a compassionate revolution. As members of a single family (the human family), we have a duty and responsibility to each other, all sentient beings, and our planet.

One of the most striking messages he shares is “We need to recognise our nature, then if we have the determination, there is a real possibility of transforming the human heart”. Skeptics are hard to convince and want tangible proof. They are not wrong to question but must come to the table with an open mind.

Archetyping will allow you to better identify your personality type. There are ways to change your behaviour even if you have a low desire to improve or practice mindfulness. Our data shows that Champions outperformed other archetypes because they strive to do the right thing without self-interest. Learning to empty your mind of making quick judgments, dross, and the commonplace is a first step toward a more successful career and a happier you. It is time to start thinking about your career differently. Break your self-imposed glass ceiling. Be grateful for what you have and reach for the stars.

?About the author

Andrew Scharf is an Award-Winning MBA Admissions Consultant ?? Executive & Career Coach recognised for helping top performers, and aspiring professionals be all they can be. His?mission is to inspire, empower, and connect people to change their world at?Whitefield Consulting . Have a professional project you would like to discuss, send him a DM.