The Unspoken Secret of Career Development

In mentorship sessions, I get frequently ask about career development and how to get to the next step. The unspoken secret of career development is that there is no one-size-fits-all approach or shortcut to success. While there are certainly some common strategies and best practices that can help you achieve your career goals, ultimately, the path to success will depend on a variety of factors, including your individual strengths and weaknesses, overall context and even luck and timing.

That said, you MUST own the basics to move ahead:

Take ownership: Your career is ultimately your responsibility, and you need to take ownership of it. Let me say that again, ‘Your resposibility’ and not the responsibility of your manager or company! You should own 100% responsibility of your development and if your lucky to have a good manager or to be in a good nurturing company then great but whatever they add to your development should additional to your 100% so yes it can go to 120% and beyond. This means you always need to be behind the steering wheel, setting goals, seeking out opportunities, and investing in your own development. Be mindful, If you own 99% of your career development, that remaining 1% will be your downfall and you might use it to blame everyone else for not progressing in your career.

Be adaptable: The world of work is constantly changing, and you need to be able to adapt to new challenges and opportunities. This may mean learning new skills, taking on new roles, or even changing industries. The rule is simple, if another human did it, you should be able to if you have the true will.

Build relationships: Building strong relationships with colleagues, mentors, and other professionals in your industry can help you learn and grow, as well as open up new opportunities.

Focus on impact: Rather than just focusing on job titles or salary, focus on the impact you want to make in your work. This can help you stay motivated and focused on what really matters. If you are in healthcare/pharmaceutical industry, remember, when you do your job correctly, a patient might feel better, a father might get extra months to walk his daughter down the aisle on her wedding day, or a mother might be able to take her soon to his first day in school.

Embrace failure: Failure is a natural part of any learning and development process, and it can be an opportunity for growth and reflection. Don't be afraid to take risks and learn from your mistakes. But remember, if you are to fail, better to fail fast, get the learning and move to next step.

Ultimately, the key to career development is to fully own it and stay committed to your goals, stay open to new opportunities, and stay flexible and adaptable as you navigate your professional journey.