Empower Your Career: Why Independence is Your Greatest Asset
Depending only on your employer for growth is a mistake—own your career by building skills, networking, and seeking outside advice.
As someone who has worked as an HR professional and in the professional development field for over 25+ years, I've seen one meaningful mistake professionals make, which is being too dependent on their employer for their professional growth.
Take this to heart... It is rare for a company to have all the resources you need to help you successfully manage your career.
In fact, I believe intentional independence can serve you well. It is a career growth hack to master.
What does intentional independence mean? Planning for and having resources outside your company that can support your internal performance and external growth plans. There is something to be said for the power of that independence.
Beyond privacy and confidentiality, here are 5 career success reasons to consider:
- Career Growth and Skill Development: External resources like online courses, workshops, or industry certifications help employees stay current with trends and acquire new skills, enhancing their expertise and marketability.
- Networking Opportunities: Building a network outside of one's company—through professional associations, social media platforms like LinkedIn, or industry events—expands connections, opening doors to mentorship, collaborations, and potential job opportunities.
- Job Security and Flexibility: Having an independent professional identity, like a personal brand or freelance portfolio, provides a safety net in case of job loss and enables greater career flexibility, including side gigs or consulting work.
- Objective Career Guidance: Accessing independent career coaches or mentors offers unbiased advice, helping employees navigate workplace challenges, salary negotiations, or career transitions without internal conflicts of interest.
- Increased Bargaining Power: Knowledge of industry standards and compensation benchmarks empowers employees to negotiate better salaries and benefits, as they aren't solely reliant on internal information or company-driven narratives.
If you've not done any career planning yet, make sure you get your complimentary copy of The Real You @ Work - Download it here
If you're looking to boost your leadership success, do the 45-day Refresh Challenge. Though this challenge was first launched in 2022 .... It's all still relevant now, the need has not diminished. Check it out now!
