What do you do if your strategy career is off to a rocky start?

Having realistic expectations can be a game-changer here: 1. What do I think this can look like? 2. What if it doesn't look like that? 3. Who do I need to meet to ensure I am progressing? 4. Who do I need to be to other people so I can build my network? 5. What does winning look like? 6. Am I okay with that not happening? 7. How long am I willing to try this for? These are all questions to ask if you want to manage your expectations for a career in strategy.

Assess your strategy career, brainstorm solutions, and take action while remaining flexible to adapt to changes. It's normal for goals to evolve, so recalibrate as needed to align with your passions and skills.

A rocky start doesn't define your strategy career. To thrive: - Identify areas for improvement - Seek mentorship from experienced strategists - Bridge knowledge gaps - Network strategically and build relationships - Showcase your calibre and contributions - Don't wait to be told what to do - Identify problems and proactively come up with solutions - Seek feedback - Have a growth mindset - Seek projects and visibility within the company - Target the right roles and highlight your skills Hope this helps!

In this case, we have to take advantage of the opportunities that arises in the professional world. The issue is to take the real experience and command your work environment with consistency.

🎯 Reflect on your strategy career: Reassess goals and interests. Are they still aligned? 🔄 Evolve with purpose: Set clear, achievable goals based on current passions and skills.

Feedback is free, unless you do not listen. There is a golden key hidden in the feedback others provide as they are providing it based on how they interpret your words and actions. They are not wrong! Listen to learn.

Strategy is one of the most misunderstood things in business. Forget trendy frameworks. Learn the fundamentals of strategy from the likes of Michael Porter or Roger Martin.

We all know a few things; but none of us know everything. We do some things better than others and vice versa. When seeking to fill a new role, I always try to hire people who are smarter than me in their given field. I learn from them. Create the desire in yourself to learn and expand your knowledge through the words and actions of others.

People start to look at failures but also at successes. Figure out how to fast-track learning from the following: 1. Find Mentors - Jay Shetty said it best that he created a "Frankenstein" mentor by taking the best traits from random people and using that as his guiding light 2. Read books, take classes, and listen to podcasts, but avoid a scattergun approach. Instead, focus on a specific area to learn, and delve into it with purpose. This will help you avoid feeling overwhelmed and ensure a targeted learning experience. 3. Take everything you learned, then start talking about it. That will help cement it in your mind, and the more you practice, the more it will become a part of your knowledge base. Stay curious!

Strategy frameworks are changing quickly and knowing which new frameworks could be used to analyse specific business functions or aspirations is proving more important. In particular, embedding unique approaches to rethink business models to respond to climate , nature are becoming more valuable.

📚 Embrace continuous learning: Explore latest frameworks, trends, and tools. 🚀 Expand your horizons: Attend workshops, webinars, or pursue further education for fresh perspectives.

Personally, I try to 'network' with everyone. There are no off limits to meeting new people and learning from them. Some are more valuable than others but everyone we network with has something to contribute and in most cases, it's free! The actual cost comes from not networking and listening.

Although networking works for most people, it is a nightmare for those who are introverts. Now, how should an introvert approach this problem and still be able to network? Start by evaluating your strengths; for some, it could be writing or having 1-on-1 conversations and playing to them. The next step is to go slowly and start with baby steps. If you're good at writing, start a blog on strategic topics you like. Once you have enough content and feel good about it, go ahead and publish your work. I am sure your input will be well received, and like-minded people would love to stay in touch with you. By taking this two-step approach, you can build your network gradually.

Refining your strategic skills is crucial for overcoming challenges and building a successful strategy career. Reflect on the specific competencies needed in your role. These might include critical thinking, data analysis, communication, and decision-making. Focus on strengthening these core skills through deliberate practice and continuous learning. Remember, growth comes from deliberate effort. Keep refining your skills, stay curious, and embrace learning opportunities. Your rocky start can pave the way for a successful strategy career! 🌟🚀

Based on my personal experience, it's always good to reassess your skillsets periodically. Either learn new tools and skills or hone your existing ones. There are always new advances happening everywhere, and recalibrating your skillsets would help you stay up-to-date and on top of your game.

UPSKILL yourself! You can do anything with the internet at your fingertips. Look for online courses (LinkedIn has plenty), training workshops, and/or conferences to attend. Take good notes and apply what you learn. Showcase that new knowledge of yours to your network consistently. Continue this learning cycle to grow and refine your skills.

Resilience is paramount. Should you stumble or feel the urge to surrender, it may be a sign that a strategic career path isn't your calling. However, if you possess a steadfast belief in your potential to become a master strategist, perseverance is essential. You must cultivate patience and channel your energy into executing your primary plans, as well as your contingency and alternative strategies. Persistently apply yourself, and you'll steer your career back onto a successful trajectory.

Being great at strategy, is not an overnight success, for most. I was a 30-year-old CFO, and I did not understand strategy. I was focused on the details with making sure our financial books were completed, budgets were completed, and forecasts up-to-date. Yet, I was provided the opportunity to get involved with strategy, board reporting, and strategy execution. In the early years, I made a lot of mistakes. 20 years later, I am an expert. There are very few people who have a PhD in strategy, nor do they have greater than 10 years of experience in strategy. Be patient and recognize that strategic success; takes longer to realize than tactical operations. Continue to learn, read, and experience, strategy so that it can become a strength.