Take Initiative—Chart A Straight Course And Grow Your Skills

    When everyday work demands our attention, it is too easy to cast aside our own development plans, which help us move towards more personal and work satisfaction. In the book entitled, “The Technique of Getting Things Done”, the author Donald A. Laird highlights an important lesson he learned:

    The Almost are not lazy. Often they are busier than an old hen with a flock of ducklings. They putter around fussily all day long and half the night, though they fail to accomplish much. They are held back by indecision, by lack of organization in their work, by over attention to minor details. They are swirled around in circles, getting nowhere, because they do not chart a straight course and then stick to it. They don’t need to work harder; they need to work more effectively. They must learn how to make their work count.

    Sound familiar? Pause for a moment and ask yourself, where do I want to go in my development? How can I take initiative to chart a straight course and grow my skills?

    A development plan is initiated by you based on goals you have set for yourself. Below are tips from fellow C&Ts that have been successful in advancing their skills and careers at Yale.

    Set goals; identify development goals by asking yourself

    • What am I passionate about?
      • What skills do I need to work towards that passion?
    • Do I have the right level of skill to complete my current tasks?
    • Are there improvement opportunities outlined in my performance review?
    • Is there new software I am interested in learning?
    • Are there skills I need to reach a career goal?

    Talk to your manager

    • Ask questions to help determine your development needs.
      • Are there areas my manager might suggest I improve upon?
      • Are there departmental changes to keep in mind as I develop my goals?
      • Are there resources available to help me skill up?
    • Make your interests known
      • Your manager is a great contact to connect you to resources and opportunities, but only if you let your manager know what you are interested in.

    Talk to colleagues

    • Find out what worked for them and adapt what you learn to your needs.
    • Ask how they navigated their development at Yale.
    • Find out what resources they might recommend.

    Be a life-long learner

    • Take courses to refresh your current skills and learn new skills even if you do not need them today.
    • Did you know that C&T Training and Development program offers summer classes?

    Jump at opportunities - “Behold the turtle! He makes progress only when his neck is out”– unknown project engineer

    • Do not be afraid to jump at opportunities
      • Take on that new assignment or volunteer for a committee or affinity group. Volunteering is an opportunity to connect with others and learn or practice new skills that can help you reach your goals.
      • Consider seeking job opportunities that align better with your career or development goals, even if they are in a different job family or are a parallel transfer from your current role.

    Other Resources To Help With Your Development Goals

    C&T Training and Development Website offers an array of information to help with your development goals. Below are a few.

    • Lee Iacocca said “The discipline of writing something down is the first step toward making it happen.” Utilize this learning plan to write down your goals and create a plan to make it happen.
    • Check out this Career Mobility Model to help you plan and fulfill your development goals.
    • Self-assess your current Microsoft Office skills using this self-assessment tool.
    • Look for LinkedIn learning classes that fit your soft skill development goals.

    Consider these tips and resources; they can help you chart a straight line and make your work count.