How Giving Back Can Improve Your Career!
In today’s fast-paced and ever-changing workplace, resilience is a critical attribute to possess. Although there are various methods of cultivating resilience, volunteering is an approach that is often disregarded. The act of volunteering can aid in enhancing professional resilience by offering chances to acquire new skills, build a supportive community, and encourage a growth-oriented mindset.
Here are four ways that volunteering can improve professional resilience:
1. Developing new skills and experiences:
Volunteering allows individuals to develop new skills and gain experience in areas that may not be available in their current job. This can help to increase their confidence and build a more diverse set of competencies, making them more adaptable and resilient in the face of challenges.
2. Building a network of support:
Volunteering provides opportunities to meet new people and build relationships with others who share similar interests and goals. These connections can provide a valuable network of support during times of uncertainty and can help individuals to access new opportunities and resources.
3. Cultivating a sense of purpose:
Volunteering can provide individuals with a sense of purpose and meaning beyond their professional roles. This can help to increase resilience by providing a sense of fulfillment and motivation that extends beyond the ups and downs of the workplace.
4. Developing a growth mindset:
According to a study published in the Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, volunteering can also help individuals to cultivate a growth mindset by encouraging them to take on new challenges, learn from failure, and persist in the face of setbacks. This can help to build a more resilient mindset that is better equipped to handle the challenges of the workplace.
Overall, volunteering can help individuals to build a more diverse set of skills, develop a supportive network, cultivate a sense of purpose, and adopt a growth mindset – all of which can contribute to greater professional resilience.
When I am presenting my signature 5-Step Strong Bucket Formula from stage, we talk about the positive impact that volunteering can have on our resilience because I personally understand the impact it can have.
Years ago I started an education not-for-profit in Vanuatu where we partnered with local teams to deliver empowerment programs to teenage girls and literacy programs in Primary Schools. I know for sure that all the volunteer work that I did as the Founder of that organisation definitely improved my professional capability to deal with workplace challenges. It gave me so many new skills, built my network, provided me with a sense of purpose and helped me to develop a growth mindset. All of these attributes have been such an asset to my career.
If you would like to discuss how I can tailor this content for your next event and/or professional development program, please reach out.
