Are You A Volunteer or a Hostage?

How to Take Control of Your Personal Development in Times of Change

TL; DR: In world where corporations large and small are all going through some type of transformation, employees often feel like they are either volunteers—actively engaged and empowered—or hostages, passively enduring change. The difference lies in mindset and the power of agency. When you embrace a “volunteer” mindset, you drive your own growth by focusing on personal development, empowerment, and creating career opportunities on your own terms.

How we perceive change can make a huge difference in our personal development and satisfaction at work. Many employees experience workplace change in one of two ways: as a volunteer, actively participating in their own career growth, or as a hostage, feeling stuck and disempowered by external decisions. Understanding this difference in mindset can transform your approach to both your current role and future goals.

Volunteer vs. Hostage Mindset: A World of Difference

The volunteer mindset is grounded in agency and choice. Volunteers approach change as an opportunity, looking for ways to leverage their skills and stay adaptable. They focus on setting personal goals and are proactive about their growth, viewing each organizational shift as a chance to add new skills and experiences to their toolkit.

By contrast, the hostage mindset feels reactive and trapped. Hostages see change as something imposed on them, leading to resentment, disengagement, and a sense of powerlessness. This mindset often occurs when employees feel that their goals and growth are at the mercy of their organization’s priorities rather than their own.

The Power of Agency and Empowerment

A volunteer mindset is deeply connected to the concepts of agency and empowerment. When we feel empowered, we recognize that while we cannot control every change at work, we can control our response to it. Empowerment is about actively participating in your career journey, ensuring your goals and skills stay relevant regardless of how your current role or the organization evolves.

One of the best ways to stay in the driver’s seat is to prioritize your own growth, setting aside 15-20% of your time for learning, networking, and personal development.

Cultivating a Volunteer Mindset for Personal Development

Embracing a volunteer mindset starts with a commitment to personal development. Here is how to keep empowerment and agency at the center of your growth:

1.????? Skill-Building for Agility: Dedicate time to upskilling and exploring new tools that advance your expertise. This not only supports your current role but makes you more adaptable, whether you stay or seek new opportunities.

2.????? Networking as a Growth Tool: Connect with colleagues across departments and expand relationships outside your organization. This network can offer insights, mentorship, and fresh perspectives, which are especially useful if you ever want to explore new roles.

3.????? Learning as a Long-Term Investment: Engage in continuous learning through courses, certifications, or industry events. Focusing on your own learning journey helps you stay relevant, regardless of how your current role evolves.

4.????? Setting Intentional Development Goals: Regularly evaluate your career goals, updating them as you gain experience and as organizational needs shift. Having a clear vision for your growth allows you to leverage the organization’s resources for your own development—on your terms.

A volunteer mindset in the workplace is not about merely “buying in” to organizational change; it is about actively crafting your own path forward. When you focus on agency, empowerment, and personal growth, you are better positioned to thrive—even in an environment of constant transformation.

Shifting from a hostage to a volunteer mindset gives you the power to lead your career rather than letting it happen to you. By dedicating time to personal development and prioritizing self-directed goals, you turn any change you may face in life into an opportunity, setting yourself up for growth wherever your life and career journey leads.

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