Career progression through self understanding - How do you shape up?
There is no magic about being happy in work but there are certain standards of behaviour to assist in creating an environment more conducive to happiness, to personal success and to career progression. It is “attitude, not aptitude that determines altitude” in life and career.
You will only enjoy work by adopting a professional approach in all you do and by striving for professionalism in every aspect. This applies not only to your job but also to your interaction and dealings with others. This involves having self respect, respect for fellow workers, respect for the company, respect for clients, and respect for the quality of the work they do.
Take away respect and there is nothing left. You may have all the skills in the world but without respect for self and others skill is worth nothing. It is the responsibility of management to lead and direct employees in order to ensure their development but it is YOUR responsibility as an employee to be a willing worker, a willing learner and a responsible and enthusiastic person.
You must be prepared to allow others to mould and develop you and you in turn should be willing to assist in the training and developing of others you come into contact with.
It is important to understand your role in the company and to know where you fit in. At the same time you need to learn about the core business of the company. This way you can strive for excellence and accept responsibility for your own career development.
Here is an exercise you might like to complete: think about your current position and consider the following
• Why do you go to work each day?
• What does your work and responsibilities at work mean to you?
• What is the most exciting aspect of your job?
• If you could change anything you currently do, what would it be?
• What are your current ambitions?
• What can you contribute to the success of your company?
• What have you contributed so far?
When you have considered these questions complete the following exercise:
Consider your present position. Would you say you are performing as well as you should be?
List all of your personal strengths and weaknesses.
How do your strengths assist you and how do your weaknesses hold you back?
What can you change, why would you change it and do you want to change?
Draw up a written personal development plan to assist in making you perform better to ensure you will be a good role model for others
In order to progress and excel in your career it is imperative you get to know yourself and how youu relate and interact with others. Working with and interacting with others will lead to differences of opinion and even conflict. It is how you deal with such conflict that determines the sort of person you are.
Conflict can be destructive or it can be constructive. Don't shy away from conflict but rather embrace it, learn from it and use it as a building block to self development. Conflict is an opportunity to express a prsonal point of view but more importantly it is an opportunity to listen and learn from others. You can only claim to be a member of a team when you can interact constructively with others.
“No man is an island” – it is impossible to work in any environment without interacting with others. This must be done constructively.
You will only enjoy work by adopting a professional approach in all you do and by striving for professionalism in every aspect. This applies not only to your job but also to your interaction and dealings with others. This involves having self respect, respect for fellow workers, respect for the company, respect for clients, and respect for the quality of the work they do.
Take away respect and there is nothing left. You may have all the skills in the world but without respect for self and others skill is worth nothing. It is the responsibility of management to lead and direct employees in order to ensure their development but it is YOUR responsibility as an employee to be a willing worker, a willing learner and a responsible and enthusiastic person.
You must be prepared to allow others to mould and develop you and you in turn should be willing to assist in the training and developing of others you come into contact with.
It is important to understand your role in the company and to know where you fit in. At the same time you need to learn about the core business of the company. This way you can strive for excellence and accept responsibility for your own career development.
Here is an exercise you might like to complete: think about your current position and consider the following
• Why do you go to work each day?
• What does your work and responsibilities at work mean to you?
• What is the most exciting aspect of your job?
• If you could change anything you currently do, what would it be?
• What are your current ambitions?
• What can you contribute to the success of your company?
• What have you contributed so far?
When you have considered these questions complete the following exercise:
Consider your present position. Would you say you are performing as well as you should be?
List all of your personal strengths and weaknesses.
How do your strengths assist you and how do your weaknesses hold you back?
What can you change, why would you change it and do you want to change?
Draw up a written personal development plan to assist in making you perform better to ensure you will be a good role model for others
In order to progress and excel in your career it is imperative you get to know yourself and how youu relate and interact with others. Working with and interacting with others will lead to differences of opinion and even conflict. It is how you deal with such conflict that determines the sort of person you are.
Conflict can be destructive or it can be constructive. Don't shy away from conflict but rather embrace it, learn from it and use it as a building block to self development. Conflict is an opportunity to express a prsonal point of view but more importantly it is an opportunity to listen and learn from others. You can only claim to be a member of a team when you can interact constructively with others.
“No man is an island” – it is impossible to work in any environment without interacting with others. This must be done constructively.
Replies to This Discussion
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PromoterPermalink Reply by Bronwyn Newman on -
What an awesome read.
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ContributorPermalink Reply by Wilma de Villiers on -
Des, I only read now what you've said about career progression ... I fully agree! I was so busy with my job, that the enivornment that I was working in was not a 'happy' one. Since I've made a mind shift and refelcted on what I was doing and how I was doing it, I realised that I was the reason for my 'unhappy' work environment. I made certain changes and focussed more on my personal development (which contributes to my career) and my environment is more conducive to happiness!
It is however very difficult to work in a constructive way with people that are destructive and/ or negative!
Wilma -
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Permalink Reply by Anneline Taljaard on -
Hi Wilma
I was involved in the same industry as you (although in another province), and thereafter I have been working nationally with all 50 institutions. I was also exposed to the private sector, and I just want to say that I have never found a group of people with such a low morale as the people working for these institutions. I think they are bruised by all the changes forced upon them, and the lack of change management skills by the upper structures. But, I am so happy to hear there are people like you who could break away from the negativism and made that difficult, but worthwhile paradigm shift. You will see that there is actually many opportunities, and the more positive you can become, the more positive energy you will create and the more "happiness" or self-fulfillment you will experience. So, good for you and stay positive! :)
Wilma said:Des, I only read now what you've said about career progression ... I fully agree! I was so busy with my job, that the enivornment that I was working in was not a 'happy' one. Since I've made a mind shift and refelcted on what I was doing and how I was doing it, I realised that I was the reason for my 'unhappy' work environment. I made certain changes and focussed more on my personal development (which contributes to my career) and my environment is more conducive to happiness!
It is however very difficult to work in a constructive way with people that are destructive and/ or negative!
Wilma -
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ContributorPermalink Reply by Des Squire on -
Hi Wilma, If theere is one thing I cannot stand it is negativity and negative people. Personally I refuse to allow negative people to impact on my life. This has taken many years to master. I do not read negative articles, I do no harbour or cultivate negative thoughts, I do not allow others to impact negatively on my positive frame of mind. When confronted with negative people I try my best to enter into positive dialogue and to explain the effect their negativity is having on others. Negative people in general do not realise they are being so. They express opinion that appears to us to be negative but to them it may not be???????? Try to get a better understanding of their thinking.
Anneline Taljaard said:Hi Wilma
I was involved in the same industry as you (although in another province), and thereafter I have been working nationally with all 50 institutions. I was also exposed to the private sector, and I just want to say that I have never found a group of people with such a low morale as the people working for these institutions. I think they are bruised by all the changes forced upon them, and the lack of change management skills by the upper structures. But, I am so happy to hear there are people like you who could break away from the negativism and made that difficult, but worthwhile paradigm shift. You will see that there is actually many opportunities, and the more positive you can become, the more positive energy you will create and the more "happiness" or self-fulfillment you will experience. So, good for you and stay positive! :)
Wilma said:Des, I only read now what you've said about career progression ... I fully agree! I was so busy with my job, that the enivornment that I was working in was not a 'happy' one. Since I've made a mind shift and refelcted on what I was doing and how I was doing it, I realised that I was the reason for my 'unhappy' work environment. I made certain changes and focussed more on my personal development (which contributes to my career) and my environment is more conducive to happiness!
It is however very difficult to work in a constructive way with people that are destructive and/ or negative!
Wilma -
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