Career Growth Coaching
When managing designers, I prioritize setting clear expectations, developing personalized growth plans and stretch opportunities for every member of my team.
Career Development Frameworks (CDF) are often framed as a silver bullet for growth conversations, but they’re really just a (powerful) benchmarking tool. If your company doesn't have a CDF——advocate for or initaite the development of one, but in the meantime here are five themes I discuss with my team regularly that can help you take growth into your own hands.
Remember career growth can look different for different people: title, compensation, responsibilities, etc. These tips should be helpful for all the different flavors of growth aspirations. This list isn’t exhaustive, but its a great start!
Great work doesn't always speak for itself
No matter how exceptional your work is, it won't always speak for itself. This is common career advice given to underrepresented communities, emphasizing the need to ‘work the hardest’ or ‘be the best’. This advice isn’t wrong, but it's not comprehensive, it doesn’t tell the whole story. In addition to being great at what you do, you must make sure others know it. Reframe self promotion from arrogance to the finishing touch for projects and hard work. Create a personal career hype document (template courtesy of Nabil Kazerouni)*, where you can jot down accomplishments while they're fresh. This will serve as a valuable reference when showcasing achievements during performance reviews or job interviews.
Instead of claiming to have specific skills on the CDF during review cycles, the career rap sheet can help you provide concrete evidence of your achievements and showcase the value you bring to the organization. Using this as a resource, have recurring conversations with your manager to ensure alignment on focus areas, set expectations, and create momentum and visibility of accomplishments leading up to review cycles.
Perception is Reality and Visibility Matters
This is really just another point to reinforce the previous one, because it's that important. Don't let your manager be the only one who knows about the amazing work you do. Don't assume your cross functional partners understand your impact just by proxy. “Employees who engage with a broader network within their organization are more likely to receive promotions and gain access to career opportunities”**.
This practice can also provide ground cover for the revolving manager door*** experienced especially at tech companies.” When your manager changes often and it feels like career conversations need to reset.
Actively seeking opportunities to discuss work with colleagues, mentors, and industry professionals provides exposure, expands professional networks, and opens doors to collaboration and advancement.
Progress ≠ Busyness
Being busy doesn’t always mean you're making progress. To navigate career growth successfully, adopt a strategic approach to goal setting and prioritizing work. Then revisit and realign often to ensure time and efforts are aligned with overarching goals of the team, department and company. By focusing on tasks that drive genuine impact, you can make significant and often accelerated strides toward your desired outcomes.
I like the Eisenhower Matrix, but Asana has some great resources for selecting a tool that matches your personality type and preferences.
Have a General Idea of Where You Want to Go
Having a clear 10-year plan may seem daunting, but finding clarity around your next step is crucial. Zero-ing in on your immediate aspirations can guide decision-making and identify opportunities that align with your values and career goals. Uncertainty around goals can make every shiny object feel worthy of pursuing and stifle forward motion. Taking one step, even if it's not a massive leap, is still progress, information and forward movement.
Soft Skills and Influence ≥ Dope Design
As you progress in your career, soft skills like effective communication, leadership, and collaboration, assume increasing importance and transcend technical expertise. These skills, coupled with your ability to influence others and navigate complex dynamics, become key drivers of success. To be clear, strong skills do matter. Product design is an expansive discippline, having and consistently refining these skills are important but these skills are not the be all end all. Developing soft skills will empower you to seize new opportunities and excel at higher stages of your career.
Career growth is more than being the best damn designer on the team, years of experience and checking of boxes on a CDF. By documenting and sharing your accomplishments, expanding visibility, prioritizing meaningful and impactful work, seeking clarity in your aspirations, and nurturing soft skills, you can take control of personal development.
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References:
*An Essential Tool for Capturing Your Career Accomplishments
**How Leaders Create and Use Networks - HBR
***How Influential Is a Good Manager? - Gallup