With 2023 in the rearview mirror, it’s time to think about where you’re headed in 2024. Buckle up for a turbo-charged year, where your career and personal brand can take you from where you are to where you want to be! Here's your action-packed guide:
1. Master Your Digital First Impression
With hybrid work, it’s no longer an option, it’s essential that you build and regularly update your online brand. When people see your name on a meeting invitation, they’ll search online to see what you’re all about. Your first impression will be formed long before you hit “Join Meeting.” Mastering your digital first impression is critical if you want to build your personal brand around the true you. Google and LinkedIn are the new front doors to your personal brand, so keep them polished, welcoming, current, and most importantly, authentic.2. Become a Life-Long Learner
Change is the only constant, and standing still means getting left behind. To remain relevant, you must make learning a priority. You can build the brand of reluctant relic by clinging to past successes, or you can become the innovator in chief by pursuing talent development and integrating what you learn into what you do every day. It should warm the hearts of L&D professionals that learning has become even more important to individual and organizational success. Yet, L&D folks are often the people in the organization who get to benefit from development opportunities the least. Don’t let that be you!3. Be Doubly Human
Tech is streaming into work faster than your favorite binge-worthy Netflix series, making your human touch priceless. The infusion of tech into everyday work activities is a clarion call for you to demonstrate your humanity. After all, that’s the only thing you can offer the workplace that tech cannot. Being doubly human means getting rid of conformist corporate speak, showing up as the real you in meetings, becoming more empathic and vulnerable, and engaging with others in a truly human way. Of course, the core attribute for all of this is being self-aware. And although most of us think we are self-aware, research tells us that only 10–15 percent of us actually are. Remember, being genuine is the golden pass to authentic connections.
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4. Embrace AI, Your New BFF
Think of artificial intelligence (AI) as the Swiss Army knife in your career toolkit—always ready to assist. Generative AI, like ChatGPT, is your career coach, muse, content creator, executive assistant, and data analyzer all rolled into one. AI can be a productivity and potency tool on steroids when you integrate it into how you work. Let AI sweat the small stuff so you can dive into what you love, adding value and making waves with your work. You’ll increase the joy factor at work while bolstering your personal brand attribute of “innovative.”5. Cultivate Belonging
Whether you’re the boss or the new kid on the block, belonging starts with YOU. It’s about rallying around a shared mission and values, while at the same time celebrating everyone’s unique mojo. Every member on a team plays a part in helping teammates feel a sense of belonging. Lead the charge by showing up as you truly are and watch as the domino effect takes hold.
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6. Make the Most of Meetings
Virtual and hybrid meetings need a major facelift in 2024. Most virtual meetings are boring or frustrating. A calendar filled with these meetings can make you feel instantly defeated. This is in part because we never learned how to be captivating in meetings. If the thought of another virtual meeting has you yawning or pulling your hair out, it’s time to bring the fireworks. Captivate, entertain, and drive productivity like a pro. Get comfy with the tech tools, but remember, your presence is the real showstopper. (And I’ll be delivering a session about leading captivating meetings at ATD24, so I hope to see you there!).As the wizard behind the curtain of learning and development, don’t forget—you’ve got the magic wand! Your growth is the growth of your organization. So, make sure to sprinkle some of that professional development dust on yourself, as you create and launch learning experiences for your organization’s talent.
