It’s time to help ourselves.
The insurance sector is currently facing a talent management crisis. This presents both challenges and opportunities for growth and development. However, many of us have become stuck in the monotony of a transactional relationship with Continuing Professional Development (CPD). At the end of 2024, I saw a surge in requests from learners trying to meet their annual CPD targets. This “ticking a box” approach to professional development is not effective and highlights the need for the industry to modernise and evolve.
It starts with you.
Taking ownership of your personal and professional development is crucial. Don’t make it a tick-box exercise, and don’t leave it until the last minute. The current rinse-and-repeat approach to CPD leaves us rushing to meet minimum standards with little thought to the core objectives: enhancing our skills, developing new opportunities for professional growth and promotion, and improving customer outcomes within financial services.
The new year is a time for introspection and planning. It’s a time to show empathy and compassion for ourselves. We should develop an internal mechanism that supports our curiosity to learn and grow, recognising our true needs in career growth and giving ourselves permission to meet them.
Personal growth is not a destination but a continuous journey
Taking Ownership of Your Development
Personal and professional development should be approached with the same dedication as physical and mental fitness. Just as you might commit to going to the gym, starting a couch to 5k program, or developing mindfulness practices, you should also set personal and professional development goals for the year ahead.
Learning and development in the workplace can become monotonous if left solely to your employer or if it becomes a mandatory chore due to regulations. This contributes to the talent management crisis and does not solve it. Instead, make learning and development intentional. Turn it inward so that you become curious about yourself and your potential for personal growth.
Integrating Self-Help Principles
The principles of self-help are deeply intertwined with personal and professional development. Self-help emphasises taking proactive steps to improve your life, which aligns perfectly with the idea of taking ownership of your career growth. By adopting a self-help mindset, you can approach professional development with a sense of empowerment and autonomy. This means setting clear, achievable goals, seeking out resources and opportunities for learning, and continuously reflecting on your progress. Just as self-help encourages individuals to take control of their mental and physical well-being, it also advocates for taking charge of your professional journey.
Personal Growth as a Continuous Journey
Personal growth is not a destination but a continuous journey. This perspective is crucial when considering professional development. Instead of viewing CPD as a series of tasks to complete, see it as an ongoing process of self-improvement. Embrace the idea that every new skill learned and every piece of knowledge gained contributes to your overall growth. This mindset shift can transform how you approach your career, making it more fulfilling and aligned with your personal values and aspirations. By integrating self-help strategies into your professional development plan, you create a holistic approach that nurtures both your personal and professional life, leading to a more balanced and satisfying career.
Steps to Personal and Professional Development
- Make the Choice: Put personal development at the top of your goal list for 2025. This is the first and most crucial step. By prioritising your development, you set the stage for meaningful growth.
- Become Curious: Look at the professional world around you within your sector. Where do you want to be? What skills and knowledge will you need to get there and excel? Curiosity drives learning and helps you identify the areas where you need to grow.
- Identify Your True Needs: Technical ability is important, but don’t overlook soft skills and creative skills that can help you move forward. These may not always be work-focused. Consider your environment on a more local and hyper-local level and think about the changes you can make to enhance your abilities and skills.
- Reflect Regularly: Make self-development a habitual practice, not just an end-of-year rush to tick a box. Incorporate personal and professional development into your daily routine. Reflect on what you learned each day, how your workday improved, and any positive feedback you received. This reflection helps reinforce the value of continuous learning and development.
Avoiding Common Pitfalls
It’s easy to start with the best intentions and then get lazy. Many people enjoy learning new skills but then stop. Don’t let your commitment to personal development be like a gym membership that goes unused after a few weeks. Consistency is key. Make learning and development a positive and ongoing part of your life.
Make that personal commitment
In 2025, let’s move away from the transactional approach to CPD and embrace a more personal and intentional approach to professional development. By taking ownership of our growth, becoming curious about our potential, identifying our true needs, and making self-development a daily habit, we can overcome the talent management crisis and achieve meaningful progress in our careers. It starts with you. Make the choice to prioritise your personal and professional development and watch as new opportunities for growth and success unfold.
