A few days back, I was talking to my mentor. He is the CxO of a multi-billion dollar company. One can imagine how much knowledge he may have; getting his time for 1 hour was nothing less than a treasure. I wanted to understand what is required to grow professionally. He rephrased it nicely: why do people get stuck at different levels? Everyone wants to grow but is not able to do so; why?
I recollected the exact phrase, “Why do people get stuck at different levels?” from my management classes in 2010. My professor explained this through research papers and academia. From an external point of view, what I saw around my organization made sense at that time, but it needed to be more experiential. Now, I’m in that phase of life, and the same explanation did not add up. My mentor’s professional experience helped me. I started reflecting on what he said and added my experience and my version of what he said. That’s the whole purpose of reflecting and learning from the reflection.
Most of the time, it is easier to explain a philosophy using an analogy. In building a successful career, envisioning a professional life as a sturdy structure supported by four pillars, with windows and doors as additional elements, can provide a meaningful framework for growth and development. Each component represents a crucial aspect of your professional identity and is a cornerstone for achieving your goals and aspirations. Just as a well-constructed building requires careful planning, maintenance, and attention to detail, nurturing your professional life demands a thoughtful approach to cultivating these foundational elements.
Foundation: Values and Beliefs
At the core of your professional identity lies a set of values and beliefs that are the foundation for your actions and decisions. These principles shape your ethical framework, guiding you in navigating complex situations with integrity and conviction. Whether it’s honesty, respect, or a commitment to excellence, clarifying your values provides a solid foundation for building your career.
A few things are sacrosanct for me: focus, hard work, honesty, facts over opinions, and a rules-based life. Due to my value system, my social circle is small, but I’m delighted with a small circle. They can count on me, and I can count on them.
First Pillar: Technical Expertise
The first pillar of your professional life represents your knowledge, skills, and expertise in your chosen field. Just as a building relies on a sturdy pillar for support, your technical proficiency is essential for excelling in your role and advancing your career. Whether you’re a software developer mastering new programming languages or a healthcare professional staying abreast of the latest medical advancements, investing in continuous learning and skill development is critical to strengthening this pillar.
There is no shortcut to building technical expertise. I spent long hours learning several disconnected topics but needed to be connecting them. Elon Musk’s idea of understanding each case through first-principle thinking helped me build a knowledge base and make strong connections between these topics. These connections help to develop deep technical expertise.
Second Pillar: Vision and Mission
The second pillar of your professional life embodies your long-term goals, aspirations, and the purpose behind your work. Just as a post supports the weight of a building, your vision and mission provide direction and stability, guiding your decisions and actions as you strive to make a meaningful impact in your field. Whether you’re driven by a desire to innovate, lead, or serve others, articulating your vision and mission empowers you to stay focused and resilient in the face of challenges.
The world is significant, and unknowns are overwhelming. I cut through the noise and topics not aligned with my vision. My answer to these questions is, “I don’t know.” I look dumb, but it is okay; it keeps my mind clutter-free. Occasionally, I still get into a trap but try to escape it quickly. It is a continuous journey.
Third Pillar: Behavior
Your workplace behavior encompasses many factors, including your attitude, communication style, work ethic, and interpersonal skills. Like a pillar that upholds the structure of a building, your behavior shapes the environment in which you operate. It influences your relationships with colleagues, clients, and supervisors. By cultivating professionalism, empathy, and collaboration, you can reinforce this pillar and foster a positive and productive work culture.
This behavior is entirely driven by my values and beliefs. It manifests itself in my workplace and personal relationships during my interactions.
Fourth Pillar: External Relationships
Building solid relationships with external stakeholders, such as clients, partners, suppliers, and industry peers, is essential for career growth and success. Like a pillar that connects a building to its surroundings, your external relationships provide support, collaboration, and opportunities for advancement. You can strengthen this pillar and expand your professional network by cultivating trust, communication, and mutual respect. It is driven by foundational values, beliefs, and behaviors.
Windows: Perspective
In addition to the foundational pillars of your professional life, windows represent perspective and openness. Just as windows allow light and fresh air to enter a building, maintaining an open mind, seeking diverse viewpoints, and embracing change can enhance your professional outlook and creativity. By looking through the windows of opportunity, you can gain new insights and perspectives that enrich your career journey.
My foundational values helped me build technical expertise and credibility for myself. However, it added rigidness. I wasn’t accepting new ideas and perspectives. I kept on to my strong opinions. That’s started taking a toll on my health and external relationships. However, my reflections allowed me to hold on to my fundamental values and appreciate others’ opinions and the values they bring. It is a challenging transition. I’m there at 80%; occasionally, old behaviors return. We all are humans 😊. I carefully select my mentors. Based on limited life experience, it can change one’s life either way 🙂.
Doors: Opportunities
Doors symbolize opportunities for advancement, exploration, and expansion. By staying vigilant and seizing opportunities that align with your goals and values, you can unlock new pathways for growth and success. Whether it’s stepping through the door to a new role, project, or collaboration, embracing opportunities propels you forward on your professional path.
I can selectively decide which opportunity to pursue and which others to let go of. Trust me, it is applicable in personal lives as well. I can avoid status games with lots of my peers and friends.
Conclusion
By embracing the pillar analogy as a guiding framework for nurturing professional life, one can lay the groundwork for a fulfilling and rewarding career journey. Whether strengthening values, honing expertise, fostering positive relationships, or pursuing personal growth, each element plays a vital role in shaping a professional identity and propelling one toward personal vision. With dedication, resilience, and a commitment to excellence, one can build a strong foundation that withstands the test of time and enables one to reach new heights in their respective career.