DETERMINE how you can level up your professional life with this career-driven skill set!

Tuesday: Return Driven Strategy FROM THE DESK OF MILES EVERSON: Return Driven Strategy (RDS). Discussed in Professor Joel Litman and Dr. Mark L. Frigo’s book, “Driven,” this pyramid- shaped framework has 11 tenets and 3 foundations. When applied properly, these principles help businesses effectively implement their branding and marketing strategies. Another thing I personally like about RDS is it’s applicable to the microlevel too. Simply put its tenets and foundations in the context of your career and you have Career Driven Strategy (CDS). Today, let’s talk about a particular skill set in the lens of CDS. Continue reading to know why self-determination is a crucial part of succeeding in your career path. CEO, MBO Partners Chairman of the Advisory Board, The I Institute

DETERMINE how you can level up your professional life with this career-driven skill set! Have you ever felt stuck in your career or unsure of where to go or what to do next? If you have, don’t worry. You’re not the only one who’s felt that way! In fact, feeling stuck in one’s career is common… but the good news? You don’t have to feel clueless or confused for long! With self-determination, you can break through that barrier and take control of your professional life. Self-determination is the ability to set goals, take actions, and make decisions based on your own values and interests. This includes various skills such as self-awareness, goal setting, problem solving, decision making, and self-reflection. With these skills, you’ll be able to take control of your career and steer it in the direction that’s best for you. So, why are self-determination skills important? Below are a few reasons: Better job performance. When you have self-determination skills, you will more likely be motivated, committed, and engaged in your work—meaning, you take ownership of your tasks and responsibilities, and are proactive in finding ways to improve your performance. This can lead to increased productivity, better work quality, and higher job satisfaction. More career opportunities. Employers value employees who have self-determination skills because they are independent, self-directed, and able to work well under minimal supervision. By honing this skill set, you’ll stand out from other candidates and be more attractive to potential employers. Plus, it will be easier for you to identify and pursue opportunities that align with your goals and interests! Greater autonomy and control. With self-determination skills, you’ll be able to take control of your career path. You can set your own goals, make your own decisions, and create a professional life that's fulfilling and rewarding. This can lead to a greater sense of satisfaction in your work. Improved communication and collaboration. Self-determination skills also include self-advocacy and communication skills, which are essential for working effectively with others. When you are able to communicate your needs and preferences clearly, you will more likely get the support and resources you need to succeed. Additionally, when you are able to work collaboratively with others, you can leverage your teammates’ skills and expertise to achieve both your professional and organizational goals. Self-Determination Skills and Career Driven Strategy (CDS) According to Professor Joel Litman and Dr. Mark L. Frigo, in today’s changing economic environment, every professional—from top corporate executive to entry-level employee, as well as students considering their career paths—need to think and act strategically about their career choices. That’s why they created Career Driven Strategy (CDS) as a management coaching tool in companies and as a career strategy framework for individuals! For Professor Litman and Dr. Frigo, it’s important that professionals know what they TRULY want in their lives. Through this, they will have the anchor or compass that will help them make good decisions about their career and avoid bad ones. So, how can you apply self-determination in the lens of CDS? Be self-aware. You need to know your strengths, weaknesses, values, and interests. Take time to reflect on your past experiences and identify what motivates and inspires you. This will help you set goals that are meaningful and relevant to you. Practice self-advocacy and communication skills. By being clear about your needs and preferences, you'll get the support and resources you need to succeed. Reflect on your progress. Regularly reflect on your progress towards your goals, and adjust your approach as needed. Celebrate your successes and learn from your failures. In conclusion, self-determination skills are essential for success in any career. By developing these skills, you'll be able to enhance your professional life and create a path that's both fulfilling and rewarding. So, what are you waiting for? Start honing your self-determination skills today and watch your career soar! Also, if you're looking to gain a better understanding of Return Driven Strategy, we highly recommend checking out “Driven” by Professor Litman and Dr. Frigo. Click here to get your copy and learn how this framework can help you in your business strategies and ultimately, in ethically maximizing wealth for your firm. Hope you found this week’s insights interesting and helpful.     Stay tuned for next Tuesday’s Return Driven Strategy! In a past “Return Driven Strategy” article, we talked about the seventh tenet or the first of five “Supporting Tenets” of the Return Driven Strategy (RDS) framework: Partner deliberately. Learn more about the importance of forming PURPOSEFUL partnerships in next week’s article!