Winning in the Workplace with I-TALENT - T is for Taking Ownership

In an unpredictable workplace, it’s all too easy to feel out of control. Taking ownership of your professional journey is, therefore, not just a mindset but a proactive strategy for a successful career.

Taking ownership means being proactive, solution-oriented, accountable, and committed to continuous improvement. It means letting go of the idea that someone is coming in to save you.

The journey of career ownership begins right from when you are applying for a job. Entry-level professionals often grapple with presenting their limited experiences in a compelling manner or, as I have seen in my experience, wondering if they have any skills or experience to offer at all.

For instance, a lot of them believe that formal work experience is the only relevant experience and consider vacation jobs or working in the family business merely ways to pass the time. They do not quickly realize that selling goods in a family store exposes them to developing people-oriented skills like multicultural intelligence, interpersonal skills, and negotiation skills…or that they also get to learn business terms, basic bookkeeping and even gain knowledge of the business supply chain.

When you take ownership, you are intentional about what you are learning on the job and how it can contribute to your career down the road.

?

What ownership looks like at Work.

To take ownership is to know what you want out of your career and then set up goals and systems to move you in that direction. Now, this is not easy for a lot of people, and there may be some real problem-solving needed to get you back on track. However, part of owning your story involves acknowledging not only the achievements but also the lessons learned from setbacks and the steps taken to overcome challenges.

Ama La Vida of alvcoaching.com describes six ways to demonstrate taking ownership of your career.

1.??? Define what career success would look like for you.

First, remember that work is a resource to serve your life, not the other way around. Having a clear perspective on what career success means to you and how you want your career to serve you can help you set professional goals that align with your values and ambitions.

It’s also important to consider the bigger picture, thinking beyond just your job title or salary, and instead considering the impact you want to have on your industry, your community, or even the world. When you have a clear vision of what you want to achieve in your career, it becomes easier to take ownership and make intentional choices that align with your goals.

?

?

2. Align your job (s) with your professional vision.

This can involve job crafting, where you redesign your job responsibilities to better align with your strengths and interests.

It can also mean defining how you’re willing to work, or how to approach the tasks you take on. Understanding your patterns is essential to avoid burnout and ensure that you are making progress toward your bigger-picture goals.

By igniting your strengths and taking ownership of your job responsibilities, you can create a work environment that is not only fulfilling but also serves your personal and professional growth.

?

3.??? Develop a personal brand.

Your brand reflects who you are, what you stand for, and what you bring to the table professionally. It’s not just about your skills and experience, but also your values, personality, and unique strengths. By creating a strong personal brand, you’re telling the world what you’re all about and what you have to offer.

By focusing on both internal and external networking opportunities, you can establish yourself as an expert in your field and create valuable connections that can help you reach your career goals.

Reputation management goes hand in hand with creating a personal brand. It involves taking ownership and responsibility for how you are perceived by others, both inside and outside the company. This includes identifying areas where you can improve, seeking feedback from colleagues and supervisors, and actively working to address any issues or concerns about your professional goals.

?

4.??? Stay aware of the industry.

Not only will this give you ideas that you can bring back to your own company to help them reach their goals, but it will also create more opportunities for continued growth.

This means intentionally expanding your network, staying apprised of relevant trends and opportunities, and building processes to keep a pulse on your environment.

?

5.??? Be Proactive

Don’t just wait until your company does performance reviews to think about your career goals! You have to take ownership at work by identifying areas where you can improve and taking responsibility for moving forward. People who find themselves in careers they love don’t wait for opportunities to come to them, but instead create them for themselves. While companies may not outwardly encourage employees, it’s still crucial to make sure your skill set never becomes stale, and that you are engaged in ongoing growth and personal development.

?

6.??? Advocating for yourself

It means making direct asks and a best effort to meet your needs across compensation, workload, and lifestyle. One way to take accountability for your happiness is by meeting with your manager to discuss your goals and how you can work together to reach them. Having a clear plan can help ensure that you are on the same page and working toward a shared vision.

Building meaningful relationships with those outside your team who can help advocate on your behalf is also important. This might include mentors, colleagues, or industry leaders who can vouch for your skills and experience and help connect you with valuable opportunities or pull you onto projects.

?

Your career is not a script written by someone else; it's a narrative authored by your choices, actions, and mindset. By embracing ownership thinking, you not only steer your career trajectory but also contribute to a workplace culture where individuals are empowered to take charge of their destinies.

?

Take ownership of your career by joining me for the T3 LinkedIn Challenge! Follow the link for details.

https://tinyurl.com/T3LinkedInChallenge1