Lessons Learned in the Aftermath of Steering into Career Shoal Water
Safety of navigation stands as an unwavering priority of all naval vessels. A ship's course is meticulously guided by radars, charts, and navigation tools, ensuring a vigilant crew can navigate even the most complex maritime corridors. Yet, despite these precautions, there are times when a crew finds itself in shoal water – most likely damaging the hull or other parts of the ship to make it temporarily unserviceable. ?
In the aftermath of such incidents, investigations unfold. Tragic as some events may be, there are invaluable lessons that emerge, lessons that can prevent others from facing a similar fate. It is with this mindset that I pent this blog – a reflection on my own 'shoal water' moment in my career, with the hope of providing lessons learned to those navigating a similar path.
?
My 'shoal water' moment arrived in early December 2021, a mere three months before my promotion board was set to convene. The metaphorical chart in my hands, my performance report, lacked the necessary annotations and explanations. It was only days later that I discovered my standing – below the reporting senior's average, a trajectory that would likely kill my chances at promotion.
In my quest for answers, the feedback I received was dishearteningly vague. Phrases like 'you're not hungry enough,' 'you lack attention to detail,' and 'you made enemies here' offered little guidance. This situation became a microcosm of the limited navigational aids I needed to stay on course. It was the culmination of three years of what I felt were meaningful contributions to the team and just a blind hope that the performance numbers would bump up to get me over the finish line. But as is often used in military circles, hope is not a strategy…
I share this not to cast blame but to shine a light on profound lessons uncovered through objective reflection on this waypoint: ?
1. Ask for Feedback Like Your Career Depends on It
Feedback is the compass that guides your professional journey. It allows you to see yourself in ways you can’t and align your performance to your supervisor’s desires. Be proactive in seeking it out. Be forceful in getting mid-term/periodic counseling to ensure a continuous feedback loop.
?
2. Recognize Your Faults – and Don't Make the Same Mistake Twice
Self-awareness is a learned strength. Acknowledge your shortcomings, learn from them, and commit to growth. The path to success often involves course corrections based on self-reflection as things happen. Commit to not ‘beating yourself’ up when mistakes happen but truly setting processes in place so they don’t happen again.
?
3. Don't Make Enemies
In the professional seas, allies are your oars. Strive to build positive relationships, recognizing that making enemies only steers your ship towards rocky waters. It’s OK if someone wants to do things differently. Find out ways to truly support them and their vision for a project.
?
4. Don't Rock the Boat
While innovation and change are essential, there's a delicate balance. If you come in ‘guns blazing,’ it will make people feel threatened by you and then it leads back to lesson #3. People told like to be told ‘there’s a better way’ until you’ve earned their trust. Make small changes only after careful discernment of when the timing is right.
?
5. Believe in the Leader's Vision – Even When Contrary to 'How You Would Do It'
Unity in purpose is crucial. Even if you harbor different opinions, align with the leader's vision to maintain a cohesive and efficient crew.
?
In the wake of this unexpected turn in my career journey, I've come to understand that life is a continuous voyage with its ebbs and flows. Now, armed with these lessons, I embark on a new chapter, navigating life's currents and sailing toward fresh horizons.
?
Strategic Plans Officer
10 个月Thanks for sharing....
Strategic Advisor | Communication Leader | Public Affairs Professional
10 个月Well done Adam. I will say that it’s certainly ok to rock the boat… in due time. It may be important to establish yourself before suggesting sweeping changes, but as long as you have the best interests of the command or business in mind, change is a good thing.
National Security Law | International Law
10 个月One additional recommendation: - Try to keep a little perspective. Once you separate/retire, you will think about the grade you promoted to while you were in service about as often as you think about what your class rank was when you graduated from college. And, if you enter a non-defense industry at separation, your colleagues are certain to care more about your college class ranking than what your military grade was at the time of your separation. (That is to say, they won’t care at all.) Work hard and work collaboratively because you’ve been given interesting and exciting opportunities that are unique to military service. Don’t do those things for the sake of a promotion that’s really only meaningful while you’re in the military fishbowl. Your rank in the bowl won’t mean much to you, and even less to the other fish, when you finally get poured out of the bowl back into the ocean.
Chief Communication Officer (PAO) for Carrier Strike Group FOUR
10 个月Kudos to you, Adam. Great self-reflection and courage to share your experience and strength with others who can benefit from it.
Data analyst and program analyst. Comments are my own and do not reflect those of my employer or any organization.
10 个月In some cases, making enemies is unavoidable. I was in a unit where the O-4s tried to set up "win-win" situations as much as possible, then let honest competition rule the day. There was one LCDR who was "greedy." He made enemies. No one from that time talks to this guy today, many years after. Fast forward to now, and my job as a DoD civilian readiness analyst can very easily make enemies. While it has not happened yet, the nature of some jobs makes it likely someone will turn someone into an enemy at some point.