Stop thinking a new course will bring you success. Answer these three questions first.
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The other day, I was chatting with an Executive who said:
“Silvia, I'm thinking about taking a course to become a Director on Corporate Boards.”
Silence.
Then I added: “OK, let’s talk. But first, I want to ask you 3 questions.”
Interestingly, a few weeks earlier, a young former colleague shared a similar desire with me: she was considering pursuing an MBA at one of the Ivy League schools in the United States.
Certifications and courses carefully squeezed in to avoid going over the famous ‘one-page CV’ rule.
Titles and badges to post on LinkedIn with balloons (which I find pretty unattractive 😂).
We often believe that the only thing standing between us and a major promotion, a higher salary, or success in the corporate world is another academic title.
And this may be true, but it depends on a crucial ingredient that we often overlook: our Vision.
Let me say that I love studying and could spend all my time reading books or attending courses on leadership, business (as well as art, photography, and cinema 😚).
Let's admit it, studying is so comforting.
It gives you the impression that you’re making concrete progress in your career, but often you end up with a collection of titles and valuable concepts that remain confined to your notes, ready to be showcased at a networking dinner or cited in a post on your social media when you remember to update them.
But maybe those titles and concepts are not as useful or aligned with the Executive you are or aspire to be.
The risk is that you find yourself stuck in a cycle of over-preparation, never turning what you learn into concrete action.
While the world and opportunities pass you by, you remain paralyzed over books or glued to the screen to follow online courses.
Photo Credit: by Zbynek Pospisil from Getty Images Pro
That’s why, before enrolling in a training program and making significant investments in terms of time, energy, and money, you should at least ask yourself* these three questions to clarify your Vision:
What kind of executive do you want to be?
What results do you want to achieve?
What skills and habits does the successful executive you want to become (as described in point 1) need to develop to achieve these goals (as outlined in point 2)?
If you’ve already asked yourself these questions and the course you intend to take aligns with the answers to points 1 and 2, Bingo! The training you’re considering is the right next step for your growth.
But if you haven’t asked yourself these questions yet or the answers aren’t clear, stop.
Take the time you need to reflect on who you want to be in your work, what results and impact you want to achieve.
Ask yourself if the training you’re considering is truly useful for reaching these goals.
Maybe you’re thinking: "Silvia, I don't have the time or desire to reflect on my Vision. I’ll just take this course, the company is paying for it anyway. I’ll think about who I want to be as an Executive later.”
But it’s the Vision that distinguishes successful Executives—those who act with awareness and have control over their careers—from those who let others decide for them which direction to take.
Photo credits: by Wildpixel from Getty Images
I know, creating your Vision isn’t easy.
Seek support from trusted people, like your mentor or your personal Board of Advisors (you have one**, right?), who truly care about your career and can offer honest and objective opinions.
It's time to stop blindly following corporate trends and put yourself back at the center of your career, creating a Vision that guides you in the important decisions of your life.
I hope I’ve given you some food for thought about who you want to be as an Executive. Having clarity on this will not only help you confidently choose the next course or certification but also make other crucial decisions for your future.
See you next Saturday.
Silvia
Notes:
* To create your career Vision, in addition to the three questions I listed above, there are others that can help you define who you want to be as an Executive and what results you want to achieve. If you want to explore this further, feel free to contact me to know more.
** The Board of Advisors is a group of trusted people that you create yourself for your personal and professional growth. Composed of colleagues, friends, mentors and selected family members, they offer advice and support to help you make important decisions and achieve your goals. It’s a reciprocal relationship: you receive advice, but you also contribute your own skills, creating a shared growth network. Every successful executive, whether in the corporate world or startups, has one. If you’re unsure how to create one, let me know and I’ll share some strategies with you!