What Could Go Wrong? — Image generated using DALL-E with tweaks to the prompt “road splitting the harsh and the lush, wide aspect ratio, comic strip style” with post process edits and refinements designed by Thomas W Carroll.
Getting Started
In any organization, personal growth isn’t just handed to you—it’s a path you carve out with intention and insight. While your manager can provide guidance and your peers can offer support, the real power to shape your journey lies with you. Here’s how you can take control, using your company’s Career Advancement Framework as both a map and a compass.
Now, to be fair, this guide assumes your company actually has a Career Advancement Framework. It might be called “Growth Docs” or “Step-up Guide” or any number of things, but there is a good chance your company has one. If not, no worries, I’ve got other guides on how to develop your own framework.
Begin Your Journey
Understand Where You Stand
Begin by fully grasping your current role within the company. Know the skills you need, the duties expected of you, and the impact you should be making right now. Setting this clear baseline helps you not just meet, but potentially exceed, expectations.
Plan Your Next Move
What’s your next career milestone? Delve into the Career Advancement Framework to identify the next stage and understand what additional skills or knowledge you need to get there. This step is about setting sights on your future and planning how to reach new heights.
Bridge the Skill Gap
Take a hard look at where you are versus where you need to be. Conduct a thorough skill gap analysis—focus especially on areas like understanding and prioritizing customer needs, which are often pivotal in progressing to higher stages.
Seek and Use Feedback
Regular feedback is your growth fuel. Engage with your manager, mentors, and peers to get a clear picture of your progress. Their insights can help you tweak and refine your strategy as you advance.
Track and Measure Your Impact
Keep a detailed record of what you’ve accomplished. How have your contributions affected projects, team goals, and broader business objectives? This data is invaluable during performance reviews and when making the case for your advancement.
Stay Agile and Adjust
Growth is not a set-it-and-forget-it deal. Regularly revisit the Career Advancement Framework with your manager to ensure you’re in sync with the evolving goals of your role and the organization. Be prepared to pivot your plans and set new targets as you grow.
Prioritize the Customer
In every decision and design, put the customer first. Your ability to internalize and act on customer insights is crucial, as emphasized throughout the Career Advancement Framework.
Foster Collaborative Alignment
Use the Career Advancement Framework as a common language with your peers. This ensures everyone is aligned on what’s expected and supports each other’s growth and aspirations effectively.
Implement Your Action Plan
Work with your manager to develop a tailored action plan that addresses identified gaps. This might involve targeted training, seeking out mentorship, or taking on specific projects that will stretch your capabilities.
Prepare for Advancement
When you’re eyeing the next level, alignment with your manager is key. Use the insights and evidence gathered through the Career Advancement Framework to demonstrate your readiness for advancement. Don’t forget, the framework is not a checklist, it is a guide.
Your Journey Awaits
Navigating your career is a proactive endeavor. Align with your support system, focus sharply on the customer, and use the Career Advancement Framework not as a mere checklist, but as a dynamic tool to craft a meaningful, impactful career. Remember, this journey is distinctly yours—lead it with confidence and creativity.
