Look to emulate company ‘stars’
Iam in a new career at age 34. The new job is challenging, and though I appreciate the lack of micromanagement, I have been on my own when it comes to training and development. It has been nine months, and I don’t feel like I’m growing at the level that is necessary. I would like to acknowledge my weaknesses so I know what to improve on, but I am reluctant to approach my boss to discuss my shortcomings.
Dale: What you are experiencing is not uncommon. In the past decades, as corporations have stripped out middle management, there are fewer and fewer managers willing and able to develop employees. Indeed, rather than try to correct employee shortcomings, many managers simply discard them. That’s unlikely to happen if they know that you’re taking responsibility for improving yourself. Thus, it’s essential that you go to management. However, do consider this a conversation about your weaknesses; instead, make it a conversation about great employees and how to be one of them.
J.T.: That conversation inevitably will lead to comparisons that reveal your shortcomings, and that feedback will let you tailor a strategy to close the gaps in your knowledge and to improve your skill sets. That assumes your boss is able to give you feedback — quite candidly, some managers lack coaching skills, in which case you will have to continue to guide your own development process. Dale: True: If you haven’t been getting coaching already, you’re unlikely to get it now. That’s OK. You simply need to know from management which employees are considered “stars” and why. Then you can begin to study them, meet with them and emulate their methods.
J.T.: I would suggest that you identify at least five individuals who are performing at the highest level in the job you currently are in. However, the workplace role models don’t necessarily need to be at your company. In fact, I’d urge you to find individuals at similar organizations. These will be individuals who not only could help you work on your skills, but also could become part of your expanding network within the industry. That way, if the day comes when you no longer want to work for your current employer, you will have individuals to turn to as you continue to evolve your career.