When you were younger, was it impressed upon you that you needed to prepare for your future? You may have believed that the future was predictable enough, and if you worked / studied hard, you would land a good job, and live a happy and successful life.
This is not exactly the way it has turned out!
The world of work is no longer predictable or simple. Unemployment, underemployment, constant change at work and the increasing blurring of the line between personal and professional lines leave us wrestling with how to navigate our career, for now, but more importantly, how we prepare for the ever changing future.
It is likely across the journey you will embark on more than one ‘career’. In fact, it would not be unusual these days to expect up to seven career changes through your working life. Our children will probably undertake roles that are yet to be created! Key to a successful career is the ability to adapt quickly to change, to identify opportunities when they present themselves and most importantly, be ready for them. You might not be able to plan in detail which role you will have in five or ten years, but with a well-developed toolbox of career skills on board, you will be ready for the amazing opportunities the future holds.
Central to being prepared is the ability to market yourself. How do you stand out from the crowd? What makes YOU special and one to not be overlooked? How you market yourself – your CV, portfolio, interview skills, and personal presentation are as important as the technical skills you hold.
Amongst the myriad of career information and resources, it boils down to the mighty three:
Who are you?
Where are you going?
How are you going to get there?
Career development is a learned skill, and through supportive but challenging coaching, you can get inspired, develop skills and find the answers. It has often been said, that if you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there. Careers can be good – or they can be great, but great careers require strategy.
Consistent high performance in the face of ever increasing pressure and rapid change is what is expected by each of us. Being a ‘great leader’ is an essential career skill, with effective leadership shown to directly correlate to positive bottom lines, employee satisfaction and personal success.
Gone are the days where leaders can rule with a ‘do as I say, not as I do’ mentality – the world is screaming out for authentic, values based leaders who understand that while they might have the hierarchical mandate to lead, it is the moral mandate that is most important.
Executive leaders now need to be responsive, flexible and above all, know thyself. What is required in the world of work is a new level of personal responsibility, the ability to galvanise teams and make strategic plans come to life.
But how does one work out how to ‘do’ leadership? Enter any bookshop or do an online search of leadership and you will be inundated with theory, rules, and lists of leadership traits that one must have to make it as a successful leader. While useful, the amount of information is overwhelming. Look around your workplace – chances are you have many examples around you of how not to be a leader and few role models doing it effectively. Organisations send executives off to expensive training courses, only to find them to not be the panacea that was expected.
In short, people are left wanting when it comes to leadership.
Through 1:1 executive coaching, the ‘mighty three’ can be explored, challenges set and support found. Leigh runs a number of coaching programs to set you up for great success – but be warned: the design of her coaching programs, alongside Leigh’s style are high octane. If you are considering business coaching to keep the boss happy, want someone to sugar coat the reality or tick the professional development box for HR, these are not for you. However, if you want to work with someone who will not only support & nurture but challenge you, tell you like it is and provide the platform for success – Contact Leigh for further information. One off sessions are also available at short notice, to assist you as you need it – be it writing a CV, preparing for an interview, or debriefing an experience at work that needs a forward plan.
The aim is to create authentic leaders that don’t just talk the talk, but walk the talk.