(3-minute read)
My friend Laura is a deeply spiritual person. She believes that each of us can harness the energy in the universe to make ourselves healthier and happier. Yoga, crystals, tarot cards, healing touch, and Reiki are all part of her daily practice. Laura is optimistic and fun to hang out with because she brings her tarot cards to every gathering.
If you’re wondering what this has to do with you as a leader or in your career, it comes down to the Ace of Wands – a card that kept reappearing during my recent reading.
For those not in the know, and I fall squarely into this category, the Ace of Wands, according to the How Stuff Works website, is a card that “represents the beginning of a journey, the birth of new ideas, and the initiation of creative projects. The hand emerging from the clouds in the card symbolizes the offer of new opportunities and the potential for growth. The lush landscape and the castle in the distance signify the abundance of possibilities that await us.”
Creating new opportunities and potential growth are foundational elements of any successful career. The responsibility for creating the conditions for new opportunities to arise is ours alone.
As 2023 winds down and we begin thinking about how we want to show up in 2024, here are three practices for creating the conditions that invite new opportunities.
Communicating Clearly
Everyone wants to be heard, but no one wants to listen to a long, confusing runway. One of the most accessible communication tools is Scott M. Cutlip and Allen H. Center’s 7 C’s of Communication checklist. Here are seven reference points for building support in a meeting, writing emails, or speaking in public.
Clear
Start with the outcome or goal you want to achieve so your audience knows the issue. Keep it simple by introducing only one idea at a time. The purpose of the conversation is to bring your audience along, and the only way to do that effectively is to be clear.
Concise
Simply stated, get rid of filler words like “for instance,” “absolutely,” or “really.” Start with the outcome, communicate the issue, and make an explicit request.
Concrete
Provide details or an example that illustrates what you are talking about. Using a visual example helps your audience better understand the scope of an issue or the attributes of a product.
Correct
Use proper grammar (grammarly.com) and align your language to fit the audience.
Coherent
Connect each point to the larger topic. Checking this box ensures you have deleted filler words and keeps your communication clear and concise.
Complete
Does your audience have everything they need to take action? Make sure all relevant information is included.
Courteous
Open and honest communication builds trust and will be responded to by others. Leading with empathy invites broader conversations and allows everyone to be heard.
Asking for what you want
If 2024 is your year to get promoted, take on new projects, request a raise, or expand your team, you must make clear asks.
Prepare
Hoping to get a raise, a promotion, or more headcount is not a strategy; preparation is. Do your homework so you know the value of what you’re asking for before you enter the negotiation.
Prove
Whatever you ask, it should align with a business purpose. Your request will likely be granted if agreeing has the potential for a positive business consequence. Be ready with examples that support the positive business outcome.
Promote
In advance of making your ask, lay the groundwork that invites supporters. If you want to be promoted, start building the skills you’ll need by shadowing people already doing the work. Ask to be mentored or build skills through professional development. If you’re expanding a team, analyze the strengths and abilities of the existing group so you can realign workflow and hire for function rather than title.
Bringing Others Along
Actions shout words whisper. If you want to be noticed in 2024, mentor a younger professional. Mentoring builds your organization’s capacity and makes the entire team stronger and more connected. Mentoring has the added benefit of feeding into our innate desire to be helpful and to contribute to the greater community. Being a mentor benefits your mentee and you in equal measure.
I wasn’t expecting to wind down 2023 with a tarot card, but the Ace of Wands did provide a new and creative opportunity for closing out this year and beginning next year with a sense of optimism and wonder.
From my family to you and yours, I wish you a joyous and restorative holiday season.
Ending the year with a fun fact
This blog represents the last installment of 10 years of monthly posts (120 posts and counting). I sincerely appreciate that you invite these writings into your professional lives each month.
Thank you for being part of the road thus far and for sharing these posts with others.
January begins year #11. There’s so much to explore!