professional growth Archives - Dennis E. Gilbert

11
Aug 21
-

Is Slow Growth Better Than No Growth?

Tags : change learning pivot professional growth

The easy answer is, yes. Slow growth is probably happening all around you, sometimes you don’t even realize it. Yet, a lack of action can lead to no growth, and worse, decline.

The operating environment lovingly known as Windows was first released in 1985. It’s grown a lot in 35+ years.

It may have been hard to see it growing from day-to-day but over longer periods it is easier to see.

Much of your daily environment has been changing and growing across months, years, and decades. In addition to computing products, look at transportation, radio and television, and even kitchen appliances. Growth, and lots of it.

People often take for granted what is happening for the development process. Whether it is a technology device or professional growth.

Change and growth often go hand-in-hand, but change can also lead to decline. Stopping or stalling is often the first indication that some decline is about to emerge.

My belief is that the airline industry has declined. The service and reliability of schedules has been in deep decline since the 1990s. While there are many influences and factors, from my experiences, it is a fact. It’s declining.

What are your personal aspirations? Are you growing personally or professionally, or have you stalled, or worse?

Slow Growth

There are many metaphorical expressions and evidence of unrecognized growth. Trees are a great example, they seem to grow very slow, then suddenly, with a more intentional observation, they are big.

Something big or something small, there is change every day.

An idea, an expression, or even an opportunity to see something differently than you have before.

People learn to listen better (hearing is instinctual, listening is a developed skill), observe better, and even be more empathic or generous.

Stops or stalls don’t last very long. As quickly as they happen, without appropriate action they are just about to decline.

This is exactly why whatever is happening in your environment, you need to change. It may be slow, almost unnoticed, but across time it still matters.

Slow growth is always better than no growth.

-DEG

Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSP^TM), and culture expert. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.

08
Oct 20
-

Does Your Value Offering Fit The Organization?

Tags : career change continuous learning job professional growth

Are you a good alignment with your job? Are you meeting or exceeding expectations? Does your value offering align with what is really needed or is it a bit of a side hustle?

People often try to differentiate between a job and a career.

It is a thoughtful process that makes a lot of sense.

It’s not uncommon that life gets in the way of careers. People get caught up in the hustle and bustle of living and their paycheck has provided the pathway. Suddenly, they are ten years deep and not really sure where things are headed.

In some cases, they haven’t even taken the time to think about it.

Have you ever felt like this?

Career Connections

In economics we often cite supply and demand as a driving factor for price.

It’s also true in your job.

Have you asked your employer about your alignment with what the organization needs in the next six months, or next year? Do you have the right skills?

What training would help close gaps? What experiences would make a greater impact?

Are you a good value to your employer?

Value Offering

People sometimes believe they need a different employer when what they really need is better alignment with their current situation.

Businesses change, customer needs change, and of course, the economy and social aspects change. If you were the best alignment five years ago, is that still true today?

Job or position growth is a two-way street. Yes, the employer has duties and responsibilities and so does the employee.

Where are you bringing value? What value can you bring in the future?

Perhaps the only way to determine this is by asking questions. Yet, many employees try to do it by making demands.

Know your value offering. More importantly, realize whether you are the best fit or not.

The best way to assess your fit is by asking questions, not telling your story.

You may have a job and not a career because you haven’t asked the right questions.

-DEG

Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSP^TM), and culture expert. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.

25
Jun 20
-

Building Skills Comes From Persistence

Tags : abilities persistence professional growth skill building Talent

Are you good at what you do because of raw talent or is your success based on persistence? Building skills may be a combination of talent and learning. Persistence will make you better.

Some people are known to have an eye for art. Others are said to be great with their hands, a fast runner, or have an amazing voice. Is this talent, or skills built?

The person with the fanciest cell phone who seemingly works magic, is that a talent?

A person who knows seemingly endless amounts of historical information is that a talent?

Talent or Persistence?

People are often described as having talent when they have capabilities that appear above average. Yet, sometimes it is not so much a talent as it is persistence in getting better.

Most basketball players are tall, yet arguably, that may not be directly related to their ability to shoot the ball from beyond the three-point line.

Horse jockeys are small, not a talent. Distance runners are not overweight, not a talent.

We often confuse talent with persistence.

Building Skills

Someone who is good with numbers may be related to how they’ve been taught to think about math.

An archer gets better with practice. The same is true for good students, house painters, and gardeners.

What you work hard at, you’ll do better. You’ll build more skill.

In some cases, there are somewhat natural limitations. Being short in basketball is not an advantage, and perhaps no amount of persistence can overcome a short stature.

For most things in life, and for most professional careers, it is much more about persistence than it is about talent.

A great lawyer, works at it. So does a home builder, an engineer, and an accountant.

Persistence makes the difference.

Build more skill.

-DEG

Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSP^TM), and culture expert. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.

05
Nov 19
-

Future Energy Spent Today is More Productive

Tags : focus future energy professional growth strategy

Do you have a full plate? Are you spending your future energy on something meaningful? Are you fighting today’s fires with little regard to what will matter next year?

Often work feels daunting. It is easy to get stressed out when pressure is applied. Anxiety levels go up and often your feeling of being able to cope with the rising challenge goes down.

What are you stressing about today? What is on your plate for this week, next week, and the coming month? Have you considered what emergencies might arise?

Strategic Outcomes

In your workplace, a sense of urgency can sometimes be helpful. It keeps people focused and gives a specific purpose to accomplish specific work in a specific timeline. Focus is good, it always beats the alternative.

How are you spending your energy? Is anxiety eating you alive or do you feel more in control?

Outside of a life changing event, can you remember any of the things that made you nervous or anxious a year ago? Is the analogy of fighting fires wearing you down?

For most people, looking back, they couldn’t tell you about a specific time when they were running late, had a typo in the client proposal, or blurted out something in a meeting that they later regretted.

Yet in those moments, a year ago, you spent a lot of energy worrying about those outcomes. Yes, the outcomes still matter, and yes, we should learn from mistakes and try to improve. Yet, there may be a better way to spend your energy.

Future Energy

The short-run game can be dangerous. It is a fire-fighting approach. When the emergency happens, we react.

Certainly, within the bounds of your strategy the short-run game is executed. Your strategy should allow for some fluidity, and as changes pop-up you’ll have to pivot.

The other end of the continuum is the long-run game. Strategy for the long-run game leverages future energy today.

Instead of looking back and wondering what mattered last year and then asking yourself, “How did I get here?” It may be better to ask, “What impact can I make today, that will still matter, or be even more important next year?”

Long-run games require more patience. They also require commitment and focus.

-DEG

Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSP^TM), and culture expert. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.

30
Aug 19
-

Building Connections Is More Than a Tactic

Tags : business connections networking professional growth relationships

Are you building connections? Friending someone on Facebook is a connection, yet it is does not ensure a human relationship. Who makes up your network and why?

People Connections

People attend business breakfast meetings, luncheons, and evening mixers. What is their reason or motive? In part, it may be to build relationships.

Why do people come away from the conference or convention feeling motivated and pumped up? It probably has something to do with the connections made or relationships built.

What inspires or motivates people in your workplace? It probably has something to do with the people, the environment, and the culture.

Building Connections

On-line or in-person people are often seeking a community. Communities of like interests, hobbies, or professions. People who have something to give, share, or gain from the interaction. It doesn’t make them fake. It makes them real.

The statement often is, “Everyone is in sales.”

Yes, it is true. We’re all probably selling something. Sometimes, more often than we realize, we are selling ourselves. That doesn’t mean a forced activity, it means building relationships.

Connection is more strategy than it is tactic. The tactical approach may be the literal part of a technological connection. LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, or many others. Friends, followers, and social networks. Your connection count is a tactic.

Think more strategic and less tactically.

In order to connect, you have to find other people. You have to arrive, engage, and take risks. You have to look for the opportunity in misfortune, adverse conditions, and economic challenges. Celebrate wins, good fortune, and growth.

Building connections are part of the strategy for growth.

-DEG

Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSP^TM), and culture expert. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.

28
Aug 19
-

Tested Competence Means More Growth

Tags : competence opportunity professional growth test workplace

You never really know until you’ve been tested. Tested competence may be the difference between just rolling along and achieving something great.

It is easy to eat an extra piece of cake, have the milkshake, or eat an entire bag of potato chips, if you never measure your weight or health.

Your car may be getting great gas mileage, your lawn doesn’t need mowed, and your carpets are just fine, if there isn’t a measurement or test.

It is easy to label your work, your department, or your organization as best-in-class, when there isn’t any measurement or test to prove it.

Professional Growth

Many workplace professionals claim that they want more. They claim they are ready for the supervisory position, the director of a business unit, or to become the CEO, yet they haven’t been tested.

“Often in school we are taught the lesson, and then given the test. In life, we are often tested and then receive the lesson.”
Unknown

Part of my business is professional coaching. It is interesting sometimes to watch really good people struggle, claw, and fight their way for the next professional opportunity, while others just roll along and seemingly achieve more.

I don’t believe everyone is winning in these scenarios, and the true winners may surprise you.

Tested Competence

Be without your utilities in your home for a day or two, you’ll quickly realize how much you take for granted.

Lose a good paying job, where you held a good position, and discover how valuable it really was.

Be forced to compete against other candidates for the promotion or new opportunity, and you may discover the test.

You never really know how good you are, or how well you will hold up under pressure if there is never any test.

Always assume that there will be a test.

-DEG

Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSP^TM), and culture expert. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.

08
Mar 18
-

Professional Growth Marathon, Are You In?

Tags : challenge motivation professional growth

Are you seeking more from your career? What will you need to do, to plan, or to prepare? Are you ready for the professional growth marathon?

The elite weight trainer sometimes tricks his or her muscles. A lighter weight is used for more repetitions in preparation for the heavier weight advancement. Then sometimes, after warming up, he or she will skip the light weight repetitions and go for the heavier weight.

The marathon runner builds up for the distance, and perhaps months in advance, does some sprints, shorter runs going for the best time. On event day, in addition to proper diet and hydration they are about pace, not sprint.

Similar situations exist for the bicyclist, the linebacker, or the soccer star, we often call it training, practice, or camp.

Professional Growth Marathon

At your job, you may have to consider a professional growth marathon to get you to the next rung on the ladder.

Training and professional development should inspire you, challenge you, make you think, test your skills, evaluate, get feedback, and most of all grow.

The daily grind, the day in and day out is not training for the marathon, it is training for the dead end. The best way to improve your pace, to get out of your own way, to get over the obstacles, the hurdles, and rise from the trenches is not the daily grind.

You are going to have to prepare and work hard for a specific result. It may require you to think differently, change your pace, practice some push, do some pull, and of course, sometimes it may require you to sprint.

Your professional growth will never be about only surviving the daily grind. It is going to have to be about so much more.

You can’t lift a heavier weight, get a better marathon time, or bicycle faster, block better, or be on the field for 45 minutes without mixing in training that will allow you to improve. Everything else is only about going through the motions.

Action Plan

Get your training plan, create your own boot camp, do whatever it takes to get you out of the daily grind.

Sprint, lift, or pedal, and get ready for your professional growth marathon.

None of those are sustainable, but perhaps, they are all required for the climb, one rung at a time.

– DEG

Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSP^TM), and corporate trainer that specializes in helping businesses and individuals accelerate their leadership, their team, and their success. He is a five-time author and some of his work includes, #CustServ The Customer Service Culture, and Forgotten Respect, Navigating A Multigenerational Workforce. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.

Dennis Gilbert on Google+

02
Aug 17
-

Can You Make Your Change Stick?

Tags : change persistence pivot professional growth tenacity

We sometimes over estimate what can be accomplished short term, but underestimate what our daily effort will produce across time. People who want to change their life or career often make this mistake. It might be important to have the correct frame for making your change stick.

Technology has made many things faster. We can travel faster, communicate faster, and even get our food faster.

Expectations and Frame

Have you ever watched a plant grow, what about a tree? It might be hard to notice the changes each second, every minute, or during an entire day. Across time, there is significant change.

Our reference of time might have a lot to do with our progress and making your change stick. Persistence is important and although it might be hard to measure the result from day-to-day or even month-to-month, there might be positive change.

How we frame, what we see and feel, will have consequences on what we accomplish. Our expectations might be different, our motivation might change, and our habits for success might be more tenacious.

It might be hard to see the growth sometimes but that growth has much to do with our frame. Our frame has much to do with our expectations.

We shouldn’t judge the speed of McDonalds with the speed of a gourmet meal. The expectations should be quite different.

Just because we don’t see a tree growing each day doesn’t mean it isn’t happening. Across time there is significant change.

The same thing might be true for your personal changes or for your career. It might be hard to notice each day, but across time, there is big change.

What if your career lasted only 180 days, or what if it lasted 16,425? What you accomplish in 3,000 days will be different from what you accomplish in 30.

Making Your Change Stick

Yes, it might be about patience, and patience is important, but it is really about your motivation and tenacity.

What is your frame? How do you view your change? What are the expectations?

Too many people use the wrong frame. They expect the tree to bear fruit the first season.

Have the right expectations, be careful how you frame.

Make your change stick.

– DEG

Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSP^TM), and corporate trainer that specializes in helping businesses and individuals accelerate their leadership, their team, and their success. He is a four-time author and some of his work includes, Forgotten Respect, Navigating A Multigenerational Workforce and Pivot and Accelerate, The Next Move Is Yours! Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.

Dennis Gilbert on Google+

07
Jun 16
4

How Will You Get There?

Tags : change pivot professional growth risk

People always insist they are taking steps, building the resources, or that they are assertively in pursuit of positive change. They think of their work, their accomplishments, helping others, building a product, a team, or an entire organization, or perhaps they have their sights set on a pay raise, a promotion, or a new job. Do they get there?

Road Closed Sign

Changing your direction, your path, or where you feel comfortable takes real effort. It also involves a lot of risk and when we take a risk we experience fear. Discomfort, risk, and fear, might make us feel a bit frustrated.

I don’t know if this new process will work, but the old way always did.

We just changed software packages and the new one is harder to use.

They moved everything in the store again, now I can’t find what I’m looking for.

Efficiency, cost savings, and productivity are the reason for much of the change we experience and being compelled to stay comfortable the question we often think but do not ask is, “who is benefitting from this change?’’ When what we should really be asking ourselves is, “how will I benefit from this change?”

Every day there are countless ways to engage, improve, and learn to be better.

How will you get there?

– DEG

Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSP^TM), and coach that specializes in helping businesses and individuals accelerate their leadership, their team, and their success. He is the author of the newly released book, Forgotten Respect, Navigating A Multigenerational Workforce. Reach him through his website at DennisEGilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.

Dennis Gilbert on Google+

Tag Archives: professional growth

Aug 21

-

Slow Growth

Oct 20

-

Career Connections

Value Offering

Jun 20

-

Talent or Persistence?

Building Skills

Nov 19

-

Strategic Outcomes

Future Energy

Aug 19

-

People Connections

Building Connections

Aug 19

-

Professional Growth

Tested Competence

Mar 18

-

Professional Growth Marathon

Action Plan

Aug 17

-

Expectations and Frame

Making Your Change Stick

Jun 16

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