My recent conversations about development focused on the intersection between one's strengths, giftings, passions, and roles. I've mentioned before that understanding one's orientation toward the present vs. the future and the internal vs. the external.
My next step would be to find your North Star--that place where the external and internal come together to produce not only transformational results but inner renewal and revitalization.
A couple thoughts about the North Star:
- It's not just a role, but rather the particular gift/skill mix that the role brings out.
- It's not just the feeling or particular gifting/talent/passion at work.
- It's not just good for you--meaning others have repeatedly praised you or noticed this.
- It's more beneficial for others--the impact of your North Star extends beyond an individual, and I would say organization as it scales.
I've seen myself and others rely too heavily on either the internal (our gifts/talents/passions) or the external (our role, circumstances, team) and become frustrated, tired, or disillusioned as these things ebb and flow. Pursuing, developing, and honing our North Star prevents an over-dependence on either the internal or external, and provides a systematic and long-term method for development that connected but not exclusively tied into our current job/organization.
Do you see yourself more dependent on the internal or the external? Have you relied too heavily on your organization to either tell you what your North Star is or somehow surface it through your role?
My experience in the past has been to believe that all of my development is supposed to happen inside my organization. My present is focused on the understanding that my organization is limited in scope and provides specific resources in light of that scope. For me to truly grow and refine my North Star I have begun to work just as hard on pursuing people and experiences outside of my organization as I have within.
