7 areas of limitation in professional development

Posted On June 25, 2023

Limited self-esteem and lack of self-esteem: As career professionals, we often underestimate our own abilities and attribute a higher degree of efficiency and aptitude to others. This limiting belief prevents professional development from reaching its full potential. Professionals who want to advance their career need to understand that their skills are competitively matched with those of others in their field. Developing self-confidence and self-esteem are the first steps to successful self-advocacy. Confidence is contagious and easy to identify.

Counterproductive behaviors: Everyone has clothes, some good and some bad. Bad habits interfere with professional development. Saying inappropriate things or making inappropriate gestures at the wrong time does not present favorably with coworkers, bosses, or guardians. Behaviors build reputations that precede professional commitments. Judgments are made based on past work behaviors and rumors are spread that illuminate this perceived flaw. Stress and fatigue contribute to less than desirable behavior and being aware of the reactions of others is a signal that should alert us to maintain or replace the behaviors represented.

Without information on the steps and techniques necessary for progression and advancement: Most workers find themselves doing repetitive tasks and wondering why they aren’t moving forward. Some people settle for doing the ordinary, but you don’t (or you wouldn’t be wasting your time reading this). Ask questions: how did it go up so fast? What she did? How did she do it? Who was her contact? Here are 7 steps that can be implemented immediately and possibly the missing element needed for your promotion: 1. Build Relationships 2. Be Early, Leave Late 3. Do More Than What’s Asked 4. Tell Everyone How Great You Are your boss 5. Support other departments 6. Ask for more work and do it 7. Ask for a promotion. If you don’t agree to just move on then you will move on. Ultimately, the blame for our failure or success rests on our shoulders and we must identify sequential steps to meet our needs, regardless of how difficult these steps may be.

Misaligned goals and values: Goals and values are not the same. However, the negative effects are felt when they are out of sync. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Is it really where you want to be? What do you value most in life? Does that goal align with your most important value? When goals and values are aligned, an aura of synergy is created, exhilaration follows at work, new energy is created, positive momentum is created, and resounding vigor is experienced. Do you feel a weight on your shoulders? Maybe your goals and values are misaligned. What quick change could you make so that the two paths meet?

Lack of self-awareness regarding strengths, knowledge and skills (KSA): Never underestimate your education and life experience. Most people do. We all have strengths, but not all of us take the time and put in the effort to turn innate strengths into abilities. Not knowing your strengths can limit your development in the long run. What do you like to do? What do you do without any effort? Where do you get the most compliments from others? We all have life experiences that shape our behaviors and attitudes. These life lessons are not learned or experienced by everyone. We learn by doing. It is common to underestimate our knowledge. We assume that others know the same things and others have had similar experiences. This is not the case. We share similar experiences within cultures, but each individual’s big picture is unique. We are all different in our own way and have something valuable to add to the conversation. Never underestimate your value.

Inability to communicate effectively: Have you ever heard of the game “phone”? A message is whispered from one player to the next, and the message heard by the last player is always completely different from the original message. The biggest problem in today’s fast-paced, overworked and overinformed environment is the inability to communicate effectively. As an author or writer, one learns to write as if the audience doesn’t know anything. On the other hand, when we speak or write, we generally accept that our audience has a basic understanding of the topic. The error in communication lies in not clearly transmitting the message as intended. Critical points are excluded to maximize time, but those points must be completed by the audience receiving the message. This misunderstanding leads to crucial errors and ultimately destroys more time than was initially saved. Take the time to communicate your message clearly and effectively in the first place, and save yourself the headache of fixing associated errors.

Lack of leverage from networks and relationships: The general belief is that our closest friends and family are the only ones who would help us in times of need. Studies on social networks suggest that this is completely wrong. Your external network is willing to help and you need to take advantage of the benefits. Loose connections seem to bring greater benefits and find greater opportunities that your immediate network could never take advantage of. The power of your external network exists in your positioning that is completely outside the reach of your immediate network. Request support and test your remote network to see how they can support your professional development. People are willing to help. It is our nature. Your outside network could provide you with the necessary boost that will take your career to the next level. If your distant network is limited, then you need to create an action plan to cultivate connections. In today’s globalized and interconnected economy, competition is high and relationships are gold. Ultimately, this works because of the reciprocity and genuineness of our species. When you get the chance, give it back because what happens, comes around.