What a spate of changeable weather we have had lately in the UK, and yet, compared to those countries that regularly have to change tyres to cope with snow and ice, we have it relatively easy.
As I considered what it takes to keep a car roadworthy during all weathers it reminded me of the parallel for us in our careers .. how do we keep ourselves roleworthy to withstand and weather the organisational changes we encounter?
Remember Amy? To catch up on her back-story, read the introduction blog and the follow up blog. Amy has realised that she needs to do more to take control of her career and not just sit back and wait for her manager to make it happen for her. She has started to work more closely with her manager to determine how best to be successful over and above just getting on with her work.
Amy could learn from a few guidelines gleaned from considering how we keep safe in our cars:
-
Driving in rain? Turn on windscreen wipers to see more clearly
When visibility is poor, it makes it harder to drive safely. Windscreen wipers clear the screen to create a temporary clear view of the road. Amy could ask herself who are the windscreen wipers for my career? Sometimes you can’t see what to do to progress your career because you view isn’t clear – you need others to help you gain organisational perspective internally or sector visibility externally. Amy has a couple of friends in other functions that she could call on to introduce her to people in the organisation with broader roles and greater experience. Through these introductions, she can gain much needed organisational perspective on what’s possible for her career path.
-
Traffic bunched up? Create greater stopping distance
Sometimes you can be driving too close to the car in front – creating more space means you have a better chance to react. Amy has started to realise that she has been too immersed in her day to day and trying to meet her goals. If she doesn’t create space to see what is going on in her organisation she could miss out on career opportunities or on development opportunities that will develop the right skills for that next role. Amy has decided to take an hour each month on a Friday to have a coffee and a conversation with someone who has project management responsibilities. Sometimes he is looking for short-term support for projects which could enable her to learn new skills to make her roleworthy in future.
-
Keep your car in good shape – new wiper blades, windscreen washer fluid topped up, tyres with enough tread
Amy has been in work now for 4 years. When she first joined her Company she was relieved to put her degree behind her and felt that now her career could really get started. However, rather than being the end of her learning, completing her degree was really when the learning started. Amy’s manager is a big fan of the Stephen Covey Habit ‘Sharpen the Saw’. Amy hadn’t really thought about what that might mean for her. Her manager explained how she can sharpen her ability each and every day through considering what has gone well and what might have been even better. Amy starts to keep a learning log where she can make a note of her learning on the job. She is determined to keep herself as ‘roleworthy as possible.
How roleworthy are you? As you ask yourself this question and take the time to:
- Turn on your wipers – determine those in your organisation that can increase your perspective internally and externally and think how you can use what you learn from them
- Create greater stopping distance – consider the value of creating time out from doing your current role in order to prepare for a future role. What’s possible?
- Keep your car in good shape – how can you continue to learn and improve? How often do you reflect on what is working well (do more of) and what could be better if (change).
Sometimes, coaching or mentoring can help you to fast-track your roleworthiness. What could you already start on now, and where might you benefit from the help of a coach or mentor?
Leave a Reply