The theory of the 3Cs and one O holds the clue to making one's career an asset. Whilst building our career we should practise (with the same rigour we do financial planning and investment) the following:
CAREER PLANNING
Where we set goals and direction for our careers. Define a career roadmap so that key milestones are clearly articulated. Like any other business goal break your career goal into small easily achievable steps. Don’t wait for things to come your way. If you spot an opportunity or think you deserve something, just ask for it. There is a high likelihood that you would get it.
COMPETENCY BUILDING
Once we have charted out the roadmap, we need to look at how we can build our skills and develop competencies to make the career plan a success. Invest time in training and self-development. Upgrade your qualifications, read and invest in leadership and team skill building. Self-development is self-responsibility—it is in our interest to identify our gaps and work on overcoming them. Do not wait for others to nominate you for training programmes or workshops. Seize the opportunity as it is in your best interest.
COURSE CORRECTION
The environment around us is ever changing. Thus it should only be natural for us to review our objectives and plans continually (maybe every 4-6 months). Review and feedback of the career plan will help in better responding to the changes and making course corrections. Certain amount of retrospection and self-analysis will go a long way to further your career.
The one O is that you should choose the organisation that invests in your career from Day One. The organisation that you work for is extremely critical. Make sure that your individual aspirations are in alignment with the organisation’s goals. It is better to join an organisation that allows you to invest and also invests in your career rather than reap shortterm benefits only in terms of higher compensation.
While a career can give an individual practically all that he desires, one needs to keep in mind the following to ensure that all the 3Cs and O above happens:
CONTINUOUS LEARNING
Since things are changing in the blink of an eye one cannot but overemphasise on the need to be updated on the latest. If you don’t think, someone else will and replace you.
COLLABORATE
While it may sound odd, the key to being competitive is to be able to work together and synergise efforts. Greater wins could be achieved by being collaborative than being confrontative.
WHEN IN DOUBT SEEK HELP
The biggest mistake one can possibly make is not get help when required. There is nothing shameful about asking for help from peers, bosses or subordinates. It offers fresh perspective and can often rejuvenate ones thoughts. Have a trusted partner. We may not always see all the options and realise our strengths and weaknesses. Seek someone who can help.
Have an engaging discussion with your guide and you would realise the true depth of your potential. You would see newer avenues being opened. Hard work and more hard work–there is no substitute for it. While one needs to work smart, lack of effort will only ensure that someone else gets to the destination faster.
VALUES
There are absolutely no short cuts here. Everything will come to a naught if there is a lack of integrity in purpose.
PHYSICAL WELL BEING PRECEDES EVERYTHING
Only a healthy body can ensure a productive mind. While the life expectancy of the human race has increased, new age ailments like stress, obesity, etc could soon make us much less productive than what we could be. Thus one definitely needs a focus on being fit and healthy
SPOTTING OPPORTUNITIES
Our generation has been spoilt for choices. One needs to be on the lookout for options which would leverage the strengths and experience and lead to value creation for all stakeholders. Most of the time, opportunities are available within one’s organisation and it’s a matter of making the transition at the correct time.
IDENTIFY WHEN TO STOP
Each of us has some potential which we could unlock. But there may be a time when we realise our limits. It is always prudent to give way to others or shift tracks into something else rather than drag on. Eventually someone better would take over.
ADJUST WITH CHANGE
We are in a dynamic environment and if anything is constant, it is change. One needs to have enough agility to identify change and adjust to it. If you won’t, someone else would.
FAILURE IS NOT ALWAYS BAD
However hard we may try, we may encounter some failure at some time or the other. The wise analyse it and make necessary course corrections. Take it in your stride and move ahead.
NETWORK
Information gives power. Be always in touch with your peers and others around you. You never know when you would get your million-dollar idea.
RESPECT FOR TIME
Time is money. Literally. What goes, goes forever. Appreciate others and your own time. Try maximising your outputs for the given time. You only have a limited stock of time.
Given the current economic scenario, opportunities for growth abound. Success depends on the choices one makes early in life and the plan one executes. Careers today are perishable and come with a shorter shelf life–one only has a limited time period in which to attain the maximum value out of one’s knowledge, skill and experience. Increasingly, younger people are replacing positions for more experienced people. Thus there is a sense of urgency and need for speed of execution to benefit from it most.
Unlike yesterday, the key to this asset lies with us and we have a fair chance of unlocking our own value. We can make things happen and chart the course of our lives. We can have many assets like property, bonds and stocks, and personal assets like education and knowledge. In the knowledge economy, the “knowledge” asset has manifested into a career. If we invest substantially in a career, knowledge will result in producing an annuity stream that will provide us with areas of influence much beyond what a financial asset can.
At the end of the day remember that your property can be taken away by somebody like the government; financial assets can be lost in a crisis; but your biggest personal asset will always remain with you.
By T V Mohandas Pai, Director, Human Resources, Infosys Technologies
