#57 Dream about where you want to go, by making job descriptions for the future. For you & your team, even if they don’t exist…yet

I’m a big fan of writer C.S. Lewis. And one of his quotes that I reflect on often is ” We are what we believe we are.” This couldn’t be more true when it comes to your business. Whether you are a one person firm to 30+, having the right perception and future image of your company and career is a key component to growth.

One tactic to help you plan ahead is by writing job descriptions for you, your team and even the employees you haven’t met yet. Every year I take some time to review our team members, and I write how I would like to see their jobs evolve. Then I write job descriptions of the type of people I would ideally like to have on the team in the future. (Dream big - what if money and clients weren’t an issue?) I also look at my job, review what I have been doing, and write a description for myself as well.

This has helped me in several ways. First, it allows me a chance to dream about the company or my career. It helps me see what things we are doing well and where we can improve. Secondly, it will helps me see if the direction we’re going is a direction I like. Are we doing the type of work that we love? If not, how do we get there? Third, it helps identify key employees and their value to the company. Conversely, it highlights the employees you may need to replace or help grow.

As a manager or leader of your team this simple exercise helps you get a perspective and set goals. It makes you aware of the path you are on and how to adjust it for future success. It allows you to celebrate and dream of the future and show you areas you may need to calibrate and make some hard decisions.

Take the time to do this exercise and it will give you a road map of your company’s future.

#55 Regularly review student portfolios whether you are hiring or not. Great way to stay connected, help grow community & even be inspired.

Typically we are trying to encourage cutting things out of a schedule but we all can remember how important it was to get professional feedback. Being able to see what a real design firm looks like, get interview and presentation practice, and the humbling denial. But there is also a great opportunity on the other side of the table..and that is sharing your experience from design, business and life. Being able to point young designers in the right direction, help them make connections or teaching them about the business is a huge contribution that you can make (We will talk later about how to give a great interview).

I’m not one that believes in Karma, but I do believe if you do what you can for others good things happen in return. Whatever your reason, one of the best is realizing that YOU have a lot of knowledge. Advice. Guidance. Support. Sharing it sure feels good, and you never know you may just be inspired on the youthful energy, creative thinking and possibly introduced to new technologies or ways of doing things.

So when time is seemingly nonexistent, think about taking a break now and then and rapping with the future leaders of our profession.