Andy Storch recently sat down with Scott Jeffrey Miller, an eight-time bestselling author and former Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President of Thought Leadership at Franklin Covey. Scott who now hosts the podcast "On Leadership with Scott Miller," shared profound insights into career development, personal branding, and the importance of owning your career trajectory.

Here are practical steps to help you take charge of your career and build a strong professional brand:

Take Ownership of Your Career Path

Scott emphasizes that one should own their career, suggesting that individuals should have a clear strategy and long-term vision to avoid becoming part of someone else’s plan. To replicate this approach, start by outlining your long-term career goals and understand the steps required to achieve them, such as gaining relevant experience and building a network.

Build and Maintain Your Personal Brand

Reputation is crucial. Building a personal brand and reputation is significant whether it's done intentionally or not. Begin by clearly defining your professional values and ensure that these values are consistently demonstrated in your daily work. If needed, ask others to describe your brand and align their feedback with the values of your organization.

Work Hard and Stay Diligent

Adopt a strong work ethic and commit to delivering quality results consistently. Many successful people share this trait, and it's a critical component of career advancement and personal satisfaction.

Embrace Flexibility in Your Career Goals

Career paths are often non-linear, and flexibility is crucial. Scott shared his own experience of shifting from an aspiration to be a CEO to realizing different career ambitions over time. Be open to various opportunities and consider different roles that might contribute to your long-term vision.

Network and Gain Diverse Experiences

Networking and gaining diverse experiences are key elements of Scott's success. Look for opportunities to build relationships both within and outside your organization. Take on various roles and responsibilities to broaden your skill set and increase your agility and employability.

Engage in Courageous Conversations

Self-assessment and feedback are integral to personal growth. Encourage "courageous conversations" with your leaders to align performance perceptions. Understand how your performance is viewed from your leader’s perspective and make necessary adjustments for alignment and growth.

Seek and Provide Mentorship

Scott passionately endorses both formal and informal mentorship. Actively seek mentors who can provide guidance and support. Similarly, be open to mentoring others. Platforms like LinkedIn are valuable tools for connecting with potential mentors.

Create Structured Development Paths

Developing clear and structured paths for leadership and career development within your organization can significantly benefit employees. Design programs that cover essential skills such as communication, psychological safety, empathy, and team management.

Promote Self-Directed Learning

Encouraging employees to take charge of their own development is vital. Provide resources, guidance, and tools that support self-driven career growth. As Scott mentioned, having a reference guide can help employees identify competencies and chart their career trajectories.

Balance Career Development with Job Responsibilities

Finding time for personal development can be challenging, but it is crucial. Leaders should support their teams in balancing work responsibilities with personal growth. Allocate time for learning activities and ensure that employees feel empowered to prioritize their development without compromising job performance.

By following these steps and learning from the experiences of leaders like Scott Jeffrey Miller, you can take control of your career trajectory, build a strong personal brand, and foster an environment of continuous growth and development.

Be sure to listen to the full episode on the Talent Development Hot Seat Podcast!