After gaining self-awareness, the next step in your career is to identify the skills, experiences, and capabilities needed for growth. Gaps are not weaknesses; they are opportunities.
The key is to identify these gaps and develop a plan you can consistently follow.
Tip 1: Speak with People in Your Desired Roles
One of the most effective ways to identify your capability gaps is to speak with individuals currently working in your target roles.
When considering a new rotation or promotion, I ask leaders and colleagues the following questions:
- What does your day actually look like?
- What skills matter most in your role?
- What experiences helped you get here?
- What do you look for when hiring?
Each conversation provides clearer insight into the capabilities you may need to develop and those you already possess.
Five years ago, during an IDP conversation with a team I was considering for a rotation, a leader shared an insight that reframed my perspective. They explained they preferred candidates from our business units because teaching the governance model was easier than teaching the business to someone with only governance experience.
That insight proved invaluable.
If I had not asked that question, I might have spent months or even years pursuing certifications or opportunities that would not have advanced my goals. Instead, I focused on gaining business experience first. This saved time, energy, and frustration, and I now share this story when mentoring others.
Often, the most valuable development insights come from a single honest conversation.
Tip 2: Set Achievable Quarterly Goals
After identifying your gaps, the next step is to create a realistic and manageable plan.
Previously, I tried to address everything at once, which was ineffective. Now, I focus on one key growth area per year, break it into concrete actions, and assign each to a specific quarter.
Quarterly goals help you:
- Stay focused and be intentional.
- Prevent burnout by limiting the number of additional commitments alongside your primary responsibilities.
- Track progress to demonstrate your commitment to learning.
- Building momentum supports ongoing growth.
Consistent, incremental steps lead to meaningful growth.
I am not always perfect at setting quarterly goals. However, I am intentional about selecting a yearly growth focus and making progress when I am prepared. If I notice I am not meeting my objectives, I adjust my schedule or find creative solutions to continue moving forward.
In some years, I include my growth goal in my performance review to maintain accountability.
The focus is not on perfection, but on steady, intentional progress.
Tip 3: Be Creative About Learning Opportunities
Growth occurs beyond classrooms and formal programs. Valuable experiences often result from stepping outside your comfort zone.
When I decided to write about leadership and personal development, I did not wait for the perfect opportunity; I created my own. Joining a mentorship program led me to become a chapter chair. Writing blog posts helped me build confidence and credibility. Each experience provided skills I could not have gained in a traditional setting.
Look for opportunities to:
- volunteer
- join committees
- take on stretch assignments
- participate in mentoring programs
- explore internal gigs
Learning can occur anywhere if you remain open to it.
I have taken on many stretch assignments throughout my career, but my most recent assignment challenged me more than any previous one. It advanced my leadership, resilience, and executive communication skills, as well as many other capabilities I had not realized I was developing.
It was not the growth I anticipated, but it was the growth I needed. As the saying goes, expect the unexpected, especially when you challenge yourself.
Final Reflection
Capability gaps are not roadblocks; they are guideposts. By identifying what you need to learn and creating a plan to address those gaps, you take meaningful ownership of your career.
Growth does not happen by accident. It occurs through intention, one quarter at a time.
Check out a few of my other blog posts that might help you come up with your career vision:
For more blog posts – check out my Izzy Thoughts page!
theizzyway.ca 