Every professional dreads performance appraisals.
Especially in a period where you work has been subpar. The anxiety, tension and stomach churning associated with the stern look of your boss is enough to put you in a mini coma.
You begin to wonder if you’re next on the chopping block to be shown the exit.
We need to be ten steps ahead in mastering our skills to save our jobs where it matters.
Here are five strategies to consider
Embrace deliberate practice
Deliberate practice is a theory popularized by K Anders Ericson in this book “Peak: How to Master Almost Anything”. Without deliberate practice, the learning curve for any skill flatlines as repetitive practice does not yield exponential results.
Ericson argues that elite performers in fields like chess and music often accumulate between 3,000 to 40,000 hours of domain-specific deliberate practice over their careers.
Writer James Altucher proposes the Plus, Minus, Equals approach in learning a skill.
Plus: Find an expert in the skill to mentor you
Equals: Study skill with people who’re on the same level as you
Minus: Find a novice and volunteer to be their teacher
Learn High-Demand, Transferable Skills
There’s a skill that is relevant to all professionals regardless of industry, can you guess that skill?
That skill is communication.
Recent studies show that 91% of surveyed managers cited strong communication as essential for their roles. Additionally, effective communication skills are linked to a 47% increase in team productivity, demonstrating their high demand across industries
AI, Coding, Data Analytics, Cyber Security etc. are the latest trends in skill building however its necessary to master general skill requirements before venturing into technical skills
Use the Power of Micro-Learning
Does it ever feel like there’s not enough time to build skills and achieve your career goals?
Micro learning to the rescue. Learning in short bursts by dedicating 30 minutes daily towards a targeted goal makes a difference. Micro-learning is growing in popularity, with 8 out of 10 companies reporting better engagement and retention rates when using short, targeted learning modules for employee training. This aligns with modern learners' preference for on-demand, digestible content
Build a Feedback Network
The fear of negative criticism deter professionals from seeking feedback. Yet building a feedback loop around your skills and career is necessary for career growth.
For example Studies indicate that individuals with accountability partners are 65% more likely to achieve their goals and 95% more likely to succeed when they commit to regular updates with these partners
Document and Share Your Learning Journey
Flowing from having an accountability partner in point four, asking for public accountability also works.
Professionals who document and share their learning online via platforms like LinkedIn report up to a 35% increase in career opportunities. This aligns with the growing trend of leveraging personal branding for career advancement
