Career Growth and Development: How to Take Ownership of Your Professional Journey
Career development is often spoken about in the context of promotions, pay rises or progression up the ladder. And while those milestones matter, they don’t always reflect what people truly want from their work: growth, fulfilment, purpose, and the opportunity to do something that aligns with who they are becoming.
In a fast-moving world, career paths are no longer linear. People shift industries, redesign roles, take pauses, switch gears and start a family. What matters now isn’t just where you’re going, but how you’re growing along the way.
Whether you’re part of a large organisation or navigating your own path as a professional, one of the most powerful things you can do is take ownership of your development. This means regularly checking in with yourself, not just about what you’re doing, but why you’re doing it, what you want next, and what might be getting in your way. Start by creating space for reflection. When we’re busy, it’s easy to stay in reactive mode, moving from one task to the next without thinking strategically about where we’re heading. Taking time to reflect on your strengths, challenges, values and aspirations helps you reconnect with your bigger picture.
Once you’re clear on where you want to go, the next step is breaking it down. Vague ambitions like “I want to do more leadership work” or “I’d love to feel more fulfilled in my job” need to become concrete goals. What does leadership look like in your context? What skills do you need to develop? Who could you learn from? What would fulfilment look like day to day? Setting realistic, motivating goals is key, but so is flexibility. Goals are guideposts, not rigid endpoints. Give yourself permission to evolve as you go. Some of the best growth happens when we follow our curiosity, take on stretch projects, or explore something outside our comfort zone.
Growth also happens through feedback, both the kind you ask for and the kind you observe. Pay attention to what energises you, what you avoid, what others come to you for, and where you tend to hold yourself back. Self-awareness is the foundation of intentional development. For those working in organisations, use your one-to-ones and development reviews wisely. Don’t wait for your manager to map your path. Bring your goals to the table. Ask for stretch opportunities. Seek mentoring. You are your own best advocate.
If you work independently, career growth might look different, but it’s just as important. Set time aside to review your direction, invest in your skills, and connect with others who inspire you. Whether it’s coaching, peer learning, or formal training, development doesn’t have to follow a traditional format to be effective. One often overlooked part of growth is mindset. The most successful professionals I’ve worked with aren’t always the most experienced – they’re the most open. They’re willing to be coached, to make mistakes, to get uncomfortable and to stay curious. They believe in progress, not perfection.
Your career isn’t just something that happens to you. It’s something you can shape with intention, courage and clarity.
Wherever you are in your journey; climbing, pivoting, rebuilding, or accelerating – take a moment to ask yourself: What does growth mean to me now?
And more importantly: What am I willing to do about it?
Need help getting clear on your next step?
Coaching can help you reconnect with your goals, remove the blocks in your way, and build momentum with purpose. Let’s start the conversation.