(2 minute read)
Over twenty years of running a consulting business, I’ve interviewed a lot of prospective candidates for employment. There’s a common question that’s often raised at interview: “what opportunities are there for professional development in your firm?”
We always had a generous Professional Development (PD) policy, including paid time, structured programs and a healthy budget. Year on year of running with this policy, we noticed two distinct trends:
- that the uptake of PD opportunities across our staff was consistently lower than we expected (or wanted), and
- that those who did maximise their PD opportunities often thrived in our business
And by Professional Development I mean complementary learning that supports your professional journey. In many industries such as law, engineering or accounting, ongoing PD is compulsory to retain practicing accreditation. Its not so clear cut in the field of management consulting.
Yes, its hard to make good professional development happen: “the day job doesn’t allow time”, “client priorities come first”, “I’m already learning on the job, why do more?” or “I meant to, but a work commitment took priority at the last minute”. These are common and valid obstacles that most professional people encounter. Yet its no secret that employers value people who improve themselves, and improving yourself includes investing in yourself.
“…employers value people who improve themselves, and improving yourself includes investing in yourself”
Its topical in light of Yellow Edge’s recent survey on Human Potential. Have a look at: https://www.yellowedge.com.au/ye/our-thinking/human-potential-survey
Yellow Edge define Human Potential as “The capacity to develop and fulfill our unrealised ability to be the best version of ourselves to lead happy and fulfilled lives”. I love that concept because it embraces the language of opportunity and possibility in people. And there’s no better way to unlock Human Potential in one’s career than to develop oneself professionally.
Here are four pragmatic concepts that can help you optimise your approach to PD and unlock more of your human potential:
- Plan and Plot: Its doesn’t just happen. The start of a calendar year (often quieter in the business cycle) is an ideal time to plan out a PD journey, with the strategic interests of your career and your employer’s needs in mind. Plot dates and events in advance, and then work the plan.
- Horizontal and Vertical: Your capability is a combination of your technical knowledge and skills (the vertical) and your business acumen (the horizontal). Don’t limit your value proposition only to the vertical. Expand your horizontal.
- Connect and Connect: Its all about connections. Do activity that propagates your connections: Connections that introduce you to new ideas and concepts, and connections that introduce you to new people.
- Enjoy and Enquire: Good PD shouldn’t be a chore. Otherwise why engage at all. Enjoyment stems from interesting topics, great presenters, a fun environment. And you step into that with an open and enquiring mindset. It’s a recipe for success.
Successful professionals continuously improve. Have a think about what professional development can mean for you this coming year.
Dr Nigel Nutt
Founder and Principal
Tabiya Services Pty Ltd
www.tabiya.com.au
The views and concepts presented in this article are the intellectual property of Tabiya Services Pty Ltd. All rights reserved. The article may be forwarded or recirculated as long as the article remains complete, and attribution to Tabiya Services is retained.