It's not Obvious
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It's not Obvious
For some people, the path to career growth is easy and well
organized, but for most of us it's more difficult. Family,
spouses, education, employment experience and other interests
all come to bear on the decisions that shape our career paths.
In fact, at any one moment your career path may not seem
particularly obvious. We all know people with "A personalities"
and the overarching ambition, which guides their careers, but
what of the rest of us? Is a strategic approach to career
development worthwhile for those of us with conflicts in our
lives? Of course it is!
The first step in developing a career strategy is to take
inventory of your career assets and liabilities. Where are you a
leader, and where are you more of a follower? Be honest. It's
important that you identify your career strengths, but it's even
more important to know about your weaknesses. In particular,
look for places where you are a follower. This is where you can
grow the most. But remember: while you take this inventory, make
no judgments about yourself. Look at yourself with open eyes.
Because you are building a personal career map, integrity is
essential. Everyone imitates other people; it's a pervasive part
of social interaction. What's not obvious is that people often
feel uncomfortable following others. It makes them feel
dependent or inferior, but learning about leadership starts with
a complete understanding of what it means to be a follower.
The second step in developing a career strategy is to look
carefully at your emotions about following: they're a key to
career development. What inspires you? What makes you feel
uncomfortable? What do you want and what keeps you from going
after it with all the tools you can find? These questions all
point to the emotions of being a follower. And, it's not obvious
why your career is on hold until you look at the feelings that
are holding you back.