Creativity and Careers

Careers are funny things. Despite careers advisors and HR departments we all have to ultimately make our own way and path.?

I’ve always been a bit of a lone wolf. I’ve always relied on my own ideas, thinking and output to survive. I have an irrational self confidence and self belief I can manage and do anything if I really want to do it. I’ve built my career around this approach.

We all tell ourselves stories about ourselves, although there is some truth in the above, it’s not the whole truth.

My truth and the truth – there’s a gap.

Why am I thinking about this now? I now have lots of direct reports and they have teams. I’m now responsible, in part, for the careers of many many people.

I want them to succeed, I want them to thrive and I want them to have fulfilling careers where they reach their full potential.

That’s why I’m thinking about careers and career development!

The fuel that has propelled my career forward, has been creative thinking. Always coming up with the best ideas, solutions and thinking differently and helping other when they are stuck. But that is only part of the story and probably not even the main event. When I look at how I have advanced my career, it doesn’t even make the top ten.

Here are my top 10 Career advancement techniques.

1. Soft Skills: The Silent Superpower

Soft skills are the foundation of your career progression. Technical expertise is essential (see number 4), but soft skills like communication, empathy, and collaboration lift you up and make you visible.

Actively work on these skills to overcome workplace challenges, build strong relationships, and consciously make them the centre of your personal brand.

2. Surround Yourself with Seasoned Mentors

The power of mentorship is immense. Having a group of senior professionals to guide you is not only a great risk reduction strategy but also enables you to minimise your ‘unknown knowns’.

Learn from their experiences, seek advice, and let their wisdom fuel your innovative thinking. Remember there is little new in this world, sometimes the best solution is one that was used years ago and has been forgotten.

3. Control Your Narrative: Your Brand, Your Story

Super important. People get pigeon holed, it’s a fact. Your career is not just a sequence of job titles; it's a narrative. Craft your professional story deliberately. Showcase your achievements, highlight your unique strengths.

Be intentional about the image you project – people will form an image and perception of you, if you don’t manage that image, they will make it up.

4. Strive for Excellence in Your Role

Being the best at what you do is a fundamental stepping stone to a creative and successful career. ?This is not a game, do not pull out of training courses and invest in yourself. There is nothing more important. Don’t let the urgent, but fleeting priority get in the way of investing in yourself. ?

Whatever your role, excellence enables creativity and creativity will give you exceptional performance. ?It opens up space for innovative thinking, encourages risk-taking, and positions you as a go-to expert in your field. Always aim for excellence.

5. Systemise Your Goals: A Roadmap to follow

If you want progress get a process. Systemise your career goals by breaking them down into achievable steps. Set short-term and long-term objectives, creating a roadmap that guides your professional journey.

A systematic approach not only keeps you on track but also makes your career development slowly into a habit.

6. Build a Following: Your Professional Tribe

In the digital age, building a following is a strategic move.

In the real world, building a following is a strategic move.

Share your insights, accomplishments, and creative pursuits on platforms like LinkedIn. Engage with your industry or sector community, join relevant groups, and establish yourself as a thought leader. A robust professional network not only amplifies your influence.

7. Foster a Culture of Continuous Learning

The world is changing, it’s always changing, you must change and learn in pace with it. If you learn you will stay relevant and grow your value, if you don’t the opposite is true. Staying relevant requires a commitment to continuous learning. Attend workshops, webinars, and conferences to expand your skill set.

A learning growth mindset not only keeps you ahead of the curve, but also fuels your creative engine.

8. Embrace Diversity and Inclusion

Creativity thrives in diverse environments as will your career. Actively seek out diverse perspectives and engage with colleagues from varied backgrounds. As your career develops you need to think wider and broader this will help. Embracing diversity and inclusion not only fosters a positive work culture but also introduces a multitude of ideas and approaches.

A diverse team brings a richness of experiences that can spark innovative solutions and propel your career forward.

9. Master the Art of Communication

Lodged down at number 9. Clear communication is the cornerstone of a successful career. Hone your ability to convey complex ideas in simple terms, tailor your message to your audience, and listen actively. Every piece of communication should be framed like this –

? What do you want people to KNOW

? What do you want them to UNDERSTAND

? How should they FEEL about it

? And what should they DO next.

A well-articulated thought has the power to inspire, persuade, and drive positive change in your professional sphere….build your career on that and you will fly.

10. Resilience: Bounce Back from Setbacks

Careers have ups and downs. You choose how to respond – no one else . Resilience is a key attribute for career longevity. Accept that setbacks are inevitable, but it's how you bounce back that defines your future, not the past.

Cultivate resilience by learning from failures, adapting to change, and maintaining a positive mindset.

Remember, when thinking about your career, make your journey intentional, not a result of random events. Own it, drive it, nurture it.

Finally, if you want a promotion ask for it; closed mouths don’t get fed….but before you do make sure you have a Grade A score in all the 10 things above. If you do, then you will get it

??CTA – Be brave a score yourself in these 10 areas. Use them to feed into your Personal Development Plan.