Career Learning Plan Paper Ideal Self
Career Learning Plan Paper Ideal Self
Begin this course by exploring your values and visions (IDEAL SELF). In the last several classes, we have spent time examining your current strengths and struggles (REAL SELF), and discussing strategies for developing managerial and leadership competencies (LEARNING AGENDA). In this next phase, you
will integrate these elements into a set of actionable steps called a learning plan. This work can be highly empowering as it provides you with an opportunity to consider more deeply what you wish to do and who you wish to be in your work and life and to translate your dreams and aspirations into reality.
The Learning Plan paper will be based upon these elements:
• Section 1: Summary of learning goals
• Section 2: Personal Board of Directors
• Section 3: Personal Well-being
• Section 4: Summary of Insights
• Format, style
SECTION 1: SUMMARY of LEARNING GOALS (about 1.5- 2 pages)
This section is about translating your personal vision and developmental interests into actionable goals. Specify at least 3 learning goals that you desire and hope to accomplish within the next 5 years. The general focus for each goal is:
• 1 career goal – Learn more about private debt strategies and be able to introduce it to my employer.
• 1 goal around developing your emotional and social intelligence competence (or more if desired). Engage a counselor or coach to further dive into myself.
• 1 additional personal or professional goal (or more if desired). Launch a coaching program within my employer.
List each goal in outline form and then in a subsequent section, explain what you aspire to do, how you will go about doing it and why it is important to you in
narrative. Additional guidelines are below.
For guidance on how to think about and reflect on your learning goals, please refer to Chapter 6 in your Becoming a Resonant Leader Workbook. In your explanation, describe why and how you chose the goal, the various sub-goals involved, and how the goal connects to the skills and strengths you have identified in yourself. You should also identify any roadblocks to accomplishing the goal that you can anticipate and how you might overcome those roadblocks (e.g. any particular experiences you will seek out, or courses you might take). Include these components:
• Goal: In one sentence, describe an outcome that is concrete, specific, personally meaningful, affirmative, challenging but attainable, and tied to a timeframe.
• Sub-goals (2 or more per goal): Describe an intermediate goal or stepping stone to help you achieve a broader goal; use the same criteria as above for
goals.
• Action Steps (2 or more per sub-goal): Action steps should address the “when, how, who, what, and where” of the action. These are the actual steps that you
will complete in accomplishing each sub-goal/goal.
• For each sub-goal, discuss how you will monitor your progress along the way towards accomplishing it. How will you know when you are done?
Also, discuss:
• Overall strategies for developing chosen competencies—how do you plan to learn and develop these competencies?
• Use your insights gained about your learning style (LSI) “Im a reflective learning style”. to assess how they can assist you in your choice of action steps. Are the action steps compatible with your learning style? Do you give yourself opportunities to stretch yourself as a learner?
SECTION 2: PERSONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS (about 2 pages)
As we’ve discussed throughout this course, we all need others to change, grow and develop in ways that are meaningful and enduring. Review your personal vision, your learning goals and action steps and consider who can help you manifest the future you desire. Refer to your previous notes on the Personal
Board of Directors exercise in Becoming a Resonant Leader Workbook (p. 160). Identify at least 6 individuals to be on your Board and write at least one
paragraph per person considering these prompts:
• Name the person and why you have selected them. Mom, Wife, Army Friend 1, Army Friend 2, Work Friend 1, Work Friend 2, Pastor.
• How do these people influence your core values?
• How do these people support you in achieving your vision (or perhaps how do you wish them to support you in the future)?
• What steps will you take to initiate or nurture a relationship with this individual?
SECTION 3: PERSONAL WELLBEING (about 1 page)
Hopefully, this course has encouraged you to consider the importance of your health and wellbeing to your overall ability to thrive and flourish as an individual and as a leader. Reflect upon and describe what wellbeing means to you, your vision for your well-being and how you will prioritize and support your wellbeing in the future.
SECTION 4: OVERALL INSIGHTS (about 1-2 pages)
The following questions are intended to prompt your thinking but should in no way limit your thinking. Feel free to use a metaphor, or relate a memorable
moment from the class if they capture the ideas and insights you are taking from this class:
1. How has your experience in this course facilitated your personal growth?
2. What new insights about yourself as a leader have emerged from this course?
3. What new observations have you made about what contributes to effective leadership and teamwork?
4. What have you learned about working with others through your experience on a diverse learning team and peer coaching?
5. How will you apply these insights in your professional and personal life arenas?
6. What specific knowledge and skills are you excited to apply? In what contexts will you apply them, i.e. MBA program, work, other professional activities, etc.?
7. What potential hindering forces exist that could limit your ability to achieve your learning goals and how might you overcome those?
Format and Style
Take advantage of this assignment to further develop your written communication ability. Use vivid, concrete language and write in a way that is authentic to you and gets you excited to take action. This is meant to be about 6-7 pages, double-spaced with a max of eight(8) pages. Be sure to follow APA guidelines when referencing course material and include in-line citations.