Career Management

Career Strategy

Saturday Empowerment Program

June 2014
Pre-Assessment
 Does any one of you feel overworked and
underutilized?
It is easy to see how people end up
in this situation:

◦ Step 1: Capable people are driven to achieve.

◦ Step 2: Other people see they are capable

and give them assignments.

◦ Step 3: Capable people gain a reputation as

"go to" people. They become "good old [ALI]
who is always there when you need him."
There is lots right with this, unless or until...
It is easy to see how people end up
in this situation, Cont..
◦ Step 4: Capable people end up doing lots of
projects well but are distracted from what
would otherwise be their highest point of
contribution which I define as the intersection
of talent, passion and market
Career Strategy
 Spend some time to identify your Highest
Point of Contribution and develop a plan
of action for a more focused career
strategy

 REMEMBER - If You Don't Design Your

Career, Someone Else Will
If You Don't Design Your
Career, Someone Else Will

Step 1: Review the last 12 months.

Review the year, month by month. Make a

list of where you spent your time: include
your major projects, responsibilities and
accomplishments. No need to
overcomplicate this
If You Don't Design Your
Career, Someone Else Will

Step 2: Ask, “What is the news?”

Look over your list and reflect on what

is really going on. Think like a journalist and
ask yourself: Why does this matter? What
are the trends here? What happens if these
trends continue?
If You Don't Design Your
Career, Someone Else Will

Step 3: Ask "What would I do in my

career if I could do anything?"

Just brainstorm with no voice of criticism

to hold you back. Just write out all the ideas
that come to mind
If You Don't Design Your
Career, Someone Else Will

Step 4: Go back and spend a bit more

time on Step 3.

Too often we begin our career planning

with our second best option in mind. We
have a sense of what we would most love
to do but we immediately push it aside.
Why?
If You Don't Design Your
Career, Someone Else Will

Step 4: Go back and spend a bit more

time on Step 3. Cont.

Typically because “it is not realistic”

“I can’t make money doing this.”

If You Don't Design Your
Career, Someone Else Will

Step 5: Write down six objectives for

the next 12 months.

Make a list of the top six items you would

like to accomplish in your career this year
and place them in priority order.
If You Don't Design Your
Career, Someone Else Will

Step 6: Cross off the bottom five.

Once you're back to the whirlwind of work

you'll benefit from having a single “true
north” career objective for the year.
If You Don't Design Your
Career, Someone Else Will

Step 7: Make an action plan for this

month.

Make a list of some quick wins you'd like to

have in place over the next 3-4 weeks.
If You Don't Design Your
Career, Someone Else Will

Step 8: Decide what you will say no

to.

Make a list of the "good" things that will

keep you from achieving your one "great"
career objective. Think about how to
delete, defer or delegate these other tasks.
 So, remember

If You Don't Design Your

Career, Someone Else Will