"Growing Your People Monthly" Newsletter

September 2009

Greetings!

It's that time of year again - fall is in the air and school is in session. Now is a great time to make professional and organizational learning a priority! When is the last time you reviewed your professional development plan and made sure you were actively implementing it? I am reminded of John Maxwell's 17th Irrefutable Law of Leadership - The Law of Priorities - which states that leaders understand that activity is not necessarily accomplishment. It's important to have a focused approach to achieve your business results- if you or your team have been substituting activity for accomplishment, it's time to read on!

Be Well,
Yvonne Kinney-Hockert
National Speaker, Business Consultant & Coach
Consulting Solutions, LLC.

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Have You Done Your Professional Development Homework?

Those who plan for success and growth are more likely to achieve it, and strategic plans and business plans are key parts of the planning process. However, while companies have embraced these formalized, ongoing processes on an institutional level, many professionals only focus on their own growth and development during an annual performance review. Just like a business plan, it's important to carefully outline your goals and then review your professional development plan on a regular basis.

If you already have a professional development plan for enhancing your skills, how does your plan align with your company goals? Have you identified a lofty goal or a strategy with measurable outcomes? Now is the time to evaluate your current development plan, including how consistent and successful you are in implementing it. If you don't have a plan, click here to download Yvonne's effective one page version.

Think about the commitments in your professional life, and which have the greatest value to you, and then evaluate your priorities in respect to these commitments. In his book, The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, Maxwell points out that priority setting is essential to professional success. Focus on what really matters and you will naturally reinforce your commitment to your plan and reap the highest rewards.

When asked what goals they are working toward, many professionals are interested in common areas to improve their leadership skills or professional advancement, such as communication, technology, organization, or developing a team. Although these are great places to start, many people fall short without including components like specific goals, action items, measurable outcomes, and a completion date. We are looking at something far beyond simple goal setting! Plan development requires focus, forward thinking, and a bit of risk. Putting something in writing reinforces your commitment to the process and your goals, and it allows you to evaluate your progress.

If your company or professional organization is interested in encouraging leaders to learn more about setting priorities - moving beyond just activity and toward accomplishment - you may want to consider a kick-off event. Click here to learn about potential topics and how to book Yvonne as a speaker!

Your Call To Action. . .