How can you create a supportive network to achieve your PD goals?
Personal development (PD) is the process of improving your skills, knowledge, and abilities to achieve your personal and professional goals. However, you don't have to do it alone. Creating a supportive network of people who can help you, inspire you, and challenge you can make your PD journey more rewarding and effective. In this article, you will learn how to create a supportive network to achieve your PD goals in the context of PD goal alignment with your organization.
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Reem Jaafar (PhD, CSM)Director of Research, Evaluation, & Program Support, the Queens-STEM Academy| Dedicated to Evidence-Based Practices to…
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Jacquie Branagan3 x LinkedIn Top Voice. International Burnout Coach. I Empower Professional Women To Release Stress & Burnout;…
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Brandon Tosti25 years in Corporate Partnerships and Event Management,14-year Youth Basketball Coach, Charitable Entrepreneur, 2x…
The first step to creating a supportive network is to identify your PD goals and needs. What do you want to learn, improve, or change in yourself? How do these goals align with your organization's vision, mission, and values? How do they benefit your career development and performance? By clarifying your PD goals and needs, you can better communicate them to others and seek the right kind of support.
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After you identify your needs, think about what's in it for your potential supporters. How will your growth benefit team outcomes and organizational success? Articulate the value to get buy-in. Identify mentors and colleagues who can advise from experience. Make sure the time investment is worthwhile by seeking their wisdom. Seek coaches who align with company values and seek skeptics to understand what the hesitation could be and how you can build more allies by seeking their input. Join groups where you can exchange ideas. Consider if the relationship dynamic will be mutually beneficial. Each person offers unique value, but ensure your supporters (and skeptics) feel their contributions will make an impact on a higher level.
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I truly believe people want to help others and career development is no different. Build a diverse network in all phases - age, background, race, and even industry to some extent. The world becomes a lot smaller with technology. You can learn something from a manager who grew up in a small town and someone who grew up in a large metro area. Another powerful tool is to volunteer for nonprofit events because you will develop event management skills and gain a better understanding of how things work. Not to mention you will meet new people to expand your network. Always be sure to thank anyone who helps you and pass it onto someone else.
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Building allies is a goal in my network these days, because my previous network was full of skeptics. I realized not having a balance put a stuck point in my personal growth towards self-efficacy. I focus on accessibility and continuous improvement through diversity. I incorporate artificial intelligence in order to help me keep emotion out of the selection process of my network. Open AI and Microsoft have been my coach per se through these collaborative articles. This team platform helps me join groups online in order to exchange ideas. However in my local community I seek wisdom by investing time with colleagues more than mentors. This allows me to find active volunteers in my community and have them make a commitment to any cause.
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When establishing professional development (PD) goals, it's crucial to align them with your individual needs. However, in the pursuit of building a robust support network, one must strategically envision the key individuals essential for success. Define the criteria based on the qualities you seek in this network. Engaging with individuals possessing these qualities not only fulfills personal needs but also contributes to the collective creation of value and shared vision within the group.
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Building a supportive network for your personal development goals is like crafting your dream team! 🌟 Start by reaching out to friends, mentors, or colleagues who share similar aspirations. Attend events or join communities related to your interests—online or offline. Don't be shy about sharing your goals; you'll be amazed at the support you receive. Create a regular check-in system, and reciprocate the support. It's all about the give and take. Your journey is a team effort! 👫💪
The next step is to find potential supporters within and outside your organization who can offer you different types of support. For example, you can look for mentors, coaches, peers, friends, family, or online communities who can provide you with guidance, feedback, encouragement, accountability, or resources. You can also look for role models, experts, or influencers who can inspire you, teach you, or challenge you. To find potential supporters, you can use various channels such as networking events, social media, online platforms, or referrals.
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Identify supporters within and outside your organisation for diverse guidance, encouragement, and resources. Foster connections with industry veterans to gain insights and broaden your perspective. Collaborating with diverse mentors will expand your network for more diverse support and growth.
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In my experience, self awareness is key. You must know yourself if you want to grow. it is important to identify your personality style and learn how to communicate effectively with others. You must set some goals and have a coach, mentor or any trusted individual hold you accountable for those goals. He committed yo being a lifelong learner and take calculated risks in order to grow.
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I would suggest locating a mentor or someone who’s advanced in all areas of PD to glean from. It may be 5 different individuals that you will observe and even inquire about tools or strategies they actively use to excel.
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Hilfreich um an Zielen dran zu bleiben sind Mastermind Gruppen. Hier kommen Gleichgesinnte mit ähnlichen Interessen und Zielen zusammen, um sich auszutauschen und gemeinsam weiterzuentwickeln. Das ist auch für die Entwicklung der eigenen Persönlichkeit wertvoll und unterstützend. Die Zusammensetzung der Gruppen ist so vielfältig, dass man und frau automatisch aus ihrer Bubble herauskommt, sich mit neuen anderen Menschen vernetzt und durch ihre Blickwinkel und ihr Feedback bereichert wird und lernen kann. Rausgehen aus dem Alten und Bekannten, da wo es bequem ist, hilft mir persönlich sehr, um mich weiterzuentwickeln. Auch wenn ich beginne mit anderen, über meine Ideen, Ziele und Träume zu sprechen, wird ein Veränderungsprozess angestoßen.
The third step is to reach out and build relationships with your potential supporters. You can start by introducing yourself, expressing your interest, and sharing your PD goals and needs. You can also ask them about their own PD journey, goals, and needs, and see how you can support them as well. You can then invite them to join your supportive network, and agree on the expectations, boundaries, and frequency of communication. You can also use different tools and methods to stay in touch, such as emails, calls, messages, or online meetings.
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Relationship building is an ongoing and continuous process. Don't view it as a one-time effort! Introduce yourself and express interest in getting to know the person. Find common ground through shared experiences, interests, or values. Ask thoughtful questions to understand their goals and challenges. Offer help where you can add value and promote the value you add. Demonstrate dependability and follow through. Schedule regular communication through check-ins, coffee meetings, or informal chats. In-person interactions build stronger bonds but any high-quality contact is beneficial. Listen closely to understand their point of view. Share your own experiences when relevant but don't overshadow them. Keep the focus on their needs and goals!
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I believe that relationships are a form of currency and one cannot become wealthy without them! (Wealth isn’t always monetary, you can be wealthy spiritually, mentally, emotionally, intellectually, environmentally and relationally). Adapt to this mindset then intentionally form relationships with those who are excelling in PD. Once again, it may not be one person. This may require one individual per type of personal development.
The fourth step is to seek and offer support from and to your supportive network. You can ask for support when you face challenges, need advice, want feedback, or seek resources. You can also offer support when you have something valuable to share, such as insights, tips, experiences, or opportunities. You can also celebrate your achievements and successes with your supportive network, and acknowledge their contributions and efforts. By seeking and offering support, you can create a positive and reciprocal relationship with your supportive network.
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Always remember this is a two-way street and do not get caught up counting favors. Balance is important in theory, but not the end goal. Please keep in mind there will be times when you extend an offer or favor to help others and the offer might not be reciprocated. That is part of the process and I promise the favor will be returned multiple times in the future, especially when you least expect it.
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Expressing sincere appreciation when someone helps you is critical. Take time to recognize their effort and the value they added. Public acknowledgment further reinforces their impact. Celebrating each other's wins keeps the group motivated. Even small steps forward in overcoming challenges deserve recognition. Genuine praise and encouragement from peers provide a huge boost. We cannot teach what we don't know ourselves. A diversity of perspectives and experiences enriches the entire network. Each one has something valuable to contribute. Acknowledgment speaks to the power of collective wisdom. The synergy of the group propels individual members higher. Make acknowledgment a consistent practice to cultivate a thriving support community.
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I was once part of a networking association that had as their motto “Givers, Gain”. If you start by offering people advice or help, you will gain what you invested in the long term. Two important tips to keep in mind:1- Be selective in choosing your network 2- Do not give with the expectation to receive back in the short term otherwise people will think that your relationship with them is transactional.
The fifth step is to evaluate and adjust your supportive network periodically. You can assess how well your supportive network is helping you achieve your PD goals and meeting your needs. You can also ask for feedback from your supportive network on how you can improve your communication, collaboration, and contribution. You can then make adjustments to your supportive network as needed, such as adding new supporters, removing inactive or unsuitable ones, or changing the type or level of support.
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No project, PD, or initiative unfolds without a hitch. Tough times are inevitable, and obstacles will undoubtedly arise. These challenges serve as a litmus test for the support network. True allies are those who join us in dissecting the root causes of issues, brainstorming solutions, and offering tangible support within their capacity. As we encounter resistance, it's important to graciously acknowledge those who may step back (taking note of their involvement for future reference!) It's an enduring truth that while tough times are transient, resilience is permanent. Those who stand with us through adversity are the ones we should hold in high regard. Cherish these relationships and seek ways to reciprocate their support.
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Recognizing that no one exists in isolation, it's crucial to cultivate a supportive network to aid in achieving personal development goals. However, this requires an active and engaged network. Regularly assess your connections: Who is apt for specific situations? Who is willing to provide assistance? This process enables you to refine and strengthen your network, offering insights into the types of individuals needed to bolster your goals.
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I actually love surrounding myself with people who are in various stages of their own journeys; people who are evolving in their own unique ways. I realize that I can't always know what's coming next - the path can be pretty unpredictable. But being a part of a diverse group helps me stay curious, ensures I am always asking lots of good questions, and keeps me from falling into the trap of thinking I know it all already. My dynamic network not only supports my journey, but they help keep it interesting and fun.
The final step is to keep learning and growing with your supportive network. You can review your PD goals and needs regularly, and update them as you progress and evolve. You can also explore new opportunities, challenges, and resources with your supportive network, and expand your horizons and potential. You can also express your gratitude and appreciation to your supportive network, and recognize their impact and value. By keeping learning and growing, you can make your PD journey more meaningful and fulfilling with your supportive network.
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Always be curious and learn to ask better questions. I find journaling to be a valuable tool for reflection. It can be useful for understanding what we already know, but also for uncovering areas that we want to explore more. This can help prime us to understand what additional perspectives are helpful; which leads us to who / where we might find those perspectives; and ultimately, to the questions we're curious about finding answers to, or identifying even better questions to ask.
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Undoubtedly we can always express our gratitude and appreciation to our supportive network, and recognize their impact and value. By keeping learning and growing, we can make our Personal Development journey more meaningful and fulfilling with our supportive network therefore always choose to keep learning from the lived failure for consistently earning growing experience!
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Share your own experiences. Contribute personal stories, insights or unique approaches to enrich the collective learning experience. Consider collaborating on joint projects as this will foster hands-on experience and strengthen bonds within your network.
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