Summary
In this episode of Ask Christa!, host Christa Dhimo addresses a listener's question about career development amidst budget cuts and organizational uncertainty. She emphasizes the importance of collaboration and creativity in navigating these challenges and provides practical strategies for self-development without a formal budget. Christa also highlights the need for clarity in communication regarding promotions and development plans, encouraging listeners to seek out free resources and learning opportunities to continue their professional growth.
Key Takeaways
• A development budget is an enabler, but development can happen even without a budget.
• Seek clarity regarding promotions and development plans if development budgets are reduced.
• Engage in volunteer work or stretch assignments for skill development and practice.
• Document development discussions with management for clarity and accountability.
• Proactive self-development is essential for career advancement, with or without a budget for it.
Additional Resources
Sites that offer free online education:
edX: https://www.edx.org/courses?q=free+online+courses
Harvard: https://pll.harvard.edu/catalog/free
MIT: OpenCourseWare. https://ocw.mit.edu/
MOOC (part of edX): https://www.mooc.org/
Stanford: https://online.stanford.edu/free-courses
The Open University: https://www.open.edu/openlearn/free-courses
Zucker, R. (2017, March 20). Ten ways to develop your people without a learning and development budget. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/rebeccazucker/2017/03/17/ten-ways-to-develop-your-people-without-a-learning-and-development-budget/
Video Chapters
00:00 Introduction
00:24 Listener Question
01:42 Uncertainty Often Spurs Collaboration and Creativity
02:36 If There’s No Development Budget, It Impacts Everyone
03:22 Clarity, Clarity, Clarity…
06:22 But Remember: There Are Plenty of Ways to Develop (with or without a budget)
06:53 Additional Resources
07:59 Wrap Up and Submitting Your Question
08:28 Contact and Booking Information
Keywords
career growth, budget cuts, collaboration, self-development, leadership, workplace issues, professional growth, learning opportunities, mentoring
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Disclaimer
The Ask Christa! show is designed to provide accurate, reliable, and practical insights into common business challenges and workplace issues. Dr. Christa Dhimo stands by the information she shares and the resources she provides; however, every situation is unique. Listeners are encouraged to use this podcast as a helpful resource while seeking additional professional advice when needed.
As such, the content of this podcast does not constitute legal, financial, medical, or other professional advice, and should not be relied upon as a substitute for guidance from qualified professionals who can consider your specific circumstances. Ask Christa! and its host disclaim liability for actions taken solely on the basis of the information provided here, especially if taken out of context.