Are you in the middle of the goal-setting exercise at your workplace?
As you think about the initiatives you will drive, the projects you will lead, and your KPIs, I encourage you to think about your developmental goals, also.
Developmental goals are about skills and competencies that make you better at meeting the expectations of your role today and building towards the role you want to do in the future. These goals could be for technical or power skills. Given below are some examples of my clients who are intentionally working towards being more effective in their current roles and being compelling candidates for the roles they aspire to do –
- A seasoned marketing executive with top-notch technical marketing skills realized that her low-risk appetite held her back. This awareness kicked off her developmental journey with me.
- A mid-senior IT leader who aspires to reach the C-suite is improving his communication skills.
- A governance lead who wants to pivot to business roles is learning to network.
- A design professional is working on getting comfortable talking about his achievements.
- A program manager is working towards being an inspirational people leader.
Do you need help setting your developmental goals? Here is how you can get started –
- Look back – Review your performance in the last 6 – 8 months. Where could you have done a better job? What skills and competencies would have made a difference?
- Look ahead – Consider where you want to be in the next 12-18 months. Let your vision for your future serve as the guiding star for your goals. Identify the strengths that enable you to do such a role already. Determine the gap you need to fill to be effective in the role you aspire to take on.
- You can also seek feedback from colleagues, supervisors, and mentors. External perspectives can provide valuable insights that might not be apparent through self-reflection alone.
- Create an action plan for developing the skills you have identified. Your plan may include training, coaching, experiential learning, or a combination. Sharing your objectives and action plan with your boss can help you find experiential learning opportunities. It is also an effective way to build other allies in your growth journey.
- Making room in your life for learning activities is an important part of planning your development. You may need to consider what you will eliminate from your plate in order to assist your learning while also meeting your core responsibilities.
- Review your progress consistently, assess your achievements, and adjust your plans, as needed, to stay on track toward your objectives.
This may appear to be a lot, but you do not have to do it alone. Engage your boss and mentors or seek the assistance of a coach to help you set and achieve your developmental goals and meet your professional aspirations. Set developmental goals that are tailored to your individual requirements and desires, and you will be well positioned for long-term success in your profession.
PS – Need help to set your developmental goals? Explore executive coaching with me. Book your complimentary consult .