Shopping on-line. You’ve done this. Going to the store…. You did this, too. Increasing and improving your leadership skills … you need to do this!
There are upsides and downsides to all three!
You are just 5 steps away in getting what you need!
Most of us have shopped online at some point. It’s super convenient to browse and buy from the comfort of your home, but it does have its ups and downs.
Upside:
The great thing about online shopping is you can keep track of your spending in real-time. As you add items to your cart, you can see the total and adjust your choices to stick to your budget. After you finish your purchase, you often get a summary of your savings, especially if you’re part of a loyalty program. Plus, having your stuff delivered to your door feels like a big time-saver.
Downside:
If you’re just window shopping and don’t have a clear idea of what you want, it can eat up a lot of time. Hours can slip by as you compare products and hunt for the best deals. There are so many options that it can be overwhelming, leading to decision fatigue and maybe even regret after you buy something.
You have just completed a 5-step process to online shopping:
- Shop: Browse different websites or apps to find what you need.
- Order: Add items to your cart and check out.
- Wait: Keep an eye on your order status and wait for delivery.
- Receive delivery: Accept your package at home or another location.
- Put away items: Organize your purchases once they arrive.
Shopping at the Store
Traditional shopping in stores is something most of us are familiar with. It’s a hands-on experience that online shopping can’t quite match, but it also has its ups and downs.
Upside:
Finding in-store sales can give you the satisfaction of instant savings. Being able to see and touch products helps you make better choices. You can also ask store staff for advice, which is handy if you’re looking for something specific or trying to find the best deal.
Downside:
Walking through the aisles, it’s easy to end up with things you didn’t plan to buy because of impulsive decisions or appealing displays. Plus, you don’t know the total cost until you check out, which can lead to overspending. This can be stressful if you’re on a tight budget.
You have just completed a 5-step process to traditional shopping:
- Drive to the store: Travel to your shopping location.
- Shop: Walk through the aisles and pick out what you need.
- Pay: Check out and pay for your items.
- Drive home: Bring your purchases back home.
- Put away items: Unpack and organize your items.
Developing Your Leadership Skills
Just like shopping, moving up from an entry-level position to a mid-level role or building your niche in your current position needs a structured approach. There are ups and downs to career advancement and it all starts at the beginning.
Upside:
You’ll need to create a personalized leadership development plan. This will tell you what steps to take to brainstorm your vision, define your leadership style, assess your skills, create goals, network with people in and out of your immediate tribe and finally achieve your goals.
Downside:
If you do not have a personalized leadership development plan, chances are you will not know where your next job will be, what skills you need to improve upon, who to network with, or what steps to take to advance in your career and the list goes on. (Its if you do not have a maps app to take you to your destination).
My Start using a 5-Step Process
Here is how I got started and achieved my goals. You can do this too.
I spent seven years at a greeting card company as a secretary to the executive director of creative recruitment. I handled everything from organizing travel and meetings to revamping our software system to make it and my job more efficient. By my sixth year, I needed more growth. I switched departments, but it still wasn’t enough.
I knew that I needed to brainstorm on what I really wanted, where I wanted to end up, not only in location, but also in my career.
I created this 5-step process, also known as the outline for my personalized leadership development plan, that helped me advance in my career.
- Define your leadership style: Think about what kind of leader you want to be. Are you a visionary who inspires with a clear direction, or more of a servant leader focused on your team’s growth and well-being? Reflect on your strengths and areas to improve to shape your unique style.
- Improve your skills: Identify areas where you can improve and take action to develop these skills. This might mean enrolling in courses, attending workshops, or finding a coach. Continuous learning is key to staying relevant and effective as a leader.
- Set and achieve goals: Write down your career goals and work towards them systematically. Break your long-term goals into smaller, manageable tasks. For example, if you want to become a supervisor, manager, or administrator or even CEO, start by getting relevant certifications or taking on leadership roles in smaller projects.
- Network and enhance people skills: Build relationships and improve your interpersonal skills. Networking is crucial for career growth. Attend industry events, join professional organizations, and connect with colleagues and leaders in your field.
- Implement your plan: Put your new skills and knowledge into practice with real-world projects and programs. Take initiative in your current role by leading new initiatives or volunteering for challenging assignments. Show your leadership abilities through your actions and achievements.
The Benefits of a Leadership Development Plan
There are so many benefits to having a structured personalized leadership development plan. Here are just a few:
Clarity and Direction:
A development plan gives you a clear roadmap for your career, helping you set specific, measurable goals and outlining the steps needed to achieve them.
Skills Enhancement:
By identifying your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, a leadership development plan ensures you focus on acquiring and improving on the skills that matter most for your career progression.
Increased Confidence:
Achieving the milestones in your plan boosts your confidence. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of your capabilities and how to leverage them effectively.
Career Advancement:
A well-executed plan can accelerate your career growth. It prepares you for higher responsibilities and positions you as a strong candidate for promotions and new opportunities.
Networking Opportunities:
Development activities often involve networking with peers, mentors, and industry leaders. These connections can provide valuable support, advice, and opportunities.
Ready to take your leadership skills to the next level?
Check out articles at kathygademer.com for more strategies and systems to achieving your goals and creating your own personalized leadership development plan.
