Imagine walking into work and seeing that everything has transitioned from paper to computers, how will you be able to adapt?
Krista walks into her office and sees there are more computers and laptops than usual. She has been with this company for 10 years and the only form of communication has been through pen and paper. Perplexed, she walks into a co-worker’s office to ask why there are so many computers in the office today. Her co-worker responds and says that the company has transitioned from paper to computer. Krista is shocked at this knowing that she is not very tech savvy. Her co- worker informed her that the company plans on giving a training seminar for those who would like to become familiar with the technology.
In this example, the business took into account that there would be a skills gap as they transitioned from paper to total technology. To close the skills gap, they decided to have seminars for the workers who were not up to speed with the new technology. The result of this change and the training that will be provided for the workers is that now the company will have the form of communication that fits best while also closing the skills gap of employees.
Let’s talk about the key aspects of this scenario:
What is Skills Gap?
The Skills Gap is the growing challenge that makes it difficult for individuals to find jobs, difficult for employers to find appropriately trained workers and difficult for current workers to adapt to changes in processes. Furthermore, the skills gap is the disconnect between the skills that are needed for a specific job and the skills that are possessed by a particular individual for the job. What skills do you possess, are they conducive for the job/career you desire or the position that you currently hold? This question leads to understanding self-awareness. This is important regardless of your role; employer, team leader or worker.
What is self-awareness?
Self-awareness is how clearly we see our own values, passions, aspirations, fit with our environment, reactions including thoughts, feelings, behaviors, strengths, and weaknesses. It is important because when we have a better understanding of ourselves, we are able to experience ourselves as unique and separate individuals. Not only is having a good understanding of self important, but authenticity in the workplace is a key factor in differentiating yourself from your coworkers. We are then empowered to make changes and to build on our areas of strength as well as identify areas where we would like to make improvements. We then begin to realize how we can excel and which of our qualities need more work and then align those realizations to the company’s mission. This is the first step to closing the gap. Enlightenment of one’s personal goals is the stepping stone to personal development and is the best way to develop the skills you need for any career.
What is personal leadership development?
Personal leadership is the ability to develop and utilize your positive leadership traits to guide the direction of your life instead of letting time and chance determine your course. While personal leadership develops from the inside out, its effects are felt not only by you and your family, but also by others in your community and workplace. Personal Development on the other hand is a way people can develop their talents, improve their awareness about themselves, and provide insights about their goals and desires of the future to then realize and maximize potential. This is first and foremost important to the four aspects of self.
The four aspects of self
The Four Aspects of Self are, spiritual, physical, emotional, and mental. When you understand which or all of the aspects you have developed or which aspects you need to work on, you will find balance and fulfillment in your life.
Spirituality is the inner essence of one’s self, this is the connection that you make to a spiritual entity that is not conducive to the natural world. Maintaining your spirit goes beyond space and time, this is the correlation that will help you understand your purpose and “belonging” in this world.
Physical has to do with your physical body and focusing on one’s health. This is the aspect that helps us to survive and thrive in the natural world.
Emotional deals with daily interactions with one another and developing your social skills in your personal life and work life. Developing the aspect of emotional-self helps us to experience the facets of life using all five of our senses. This will lead to fulfillment in our relationships within yourself and in others.
Mental is the intellectual aspect of self that retains all of a person’s thinking and reasoning skills. A person’s beliefs, values and attitudes reside in this area of self. Development of the mental aspect will allow us to remain open minded as we gather knowledge and wisdom from the world around us.
Below are a few questions to help you assess your Aspects of Self Development:
- Spiritual: Do you have moments when you feel at one with everything or part of something greater? Do you have a relationship with your own inner wisdom or intuitive guide?
- Physical: Are you physically healthy and active? Are you practical, down to earth, financially stable, independent?
- Emotional: Are you in touch with your feelings and able to express them appropriately? Do you allow yourself to feel the full range of emotions- fear, sadness, anger, love, joy?
- Mental: Are you satisfied with your intellect? Can you think and express yourself clearly? Are you open to new ideas without being overly impressionable?
These four aspects are equally important and demand for us to have a balance of them all in order to be a functional human being. All four need to be nurtured and developed as you continue this journey called life. There is no one right way to fulfill these aspects as everyone is different and is on unique paths.
In conclusion, to discover new disconnects in the workplace, ask yourself “What are the gaps in my skills?” You can create a new sense of self and uncover new insights when the gaps have been filled. If these gaps are never filled it can cause one's self or a company to remain stagnant and can ultimately lead to inefficiencies in performance and lack of personal and professional growth. Skills gaps should be recognized immediately, addressed and corrected. Get back in the driver seat of your career.
Ready to get back in the driver seat of your career, discover, leverage, and celebrate your true potential and professional power?
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