Growth Chat Preparation

Growth Conversations

Welcome, welcome! 👋 The following conversation guides have been developed with you in mind, to help you prepare for the Growth Conversations you'll be having with your manager.

Remember, these Growth Conversations are lead by you. Share your accomplishments, challenges, and feedback from colleagues, while your manager listens and provides guidance and support.

Getting ready for your

Growth Conversation.

Prepare for the conversation

Reflect on your performance over the past three months. Identify specific achievements, challenges, and areas where you believe you have excelled.

Consider your career aspirations and how they can contribute to your professional growth.

Review the existing performance feedback you requested from colleagues, peers, and team members so that you have a have a holistic understanding of your performance.

Request a meeting

Reach out to your manager and request a meeting to discuss your performance and goal setting - schedule it for 45-60 minutes.

Use a respectful and proactive tone in your request, expressing your eagerness to improve and contribute to the team's success.

Example: "I'd like to schedule a Growth Conversation with you to discuss my performance and goal setting. I believe allocating 1 hour would provide us with sufficient time to have a meaningful conversation. I'm eager to learn, improve, and contribute to the team's success. Thank you!"

Get in the right mindset

Take ownership of your growth. Remember that your growth and development are ultimately your responsibility. Be proactive in seeking out opportunities to learn and grow, and take ownership of your progress toward your goals. Do not fail to convey to your manager what you need from them for your development.

Keep a positive attitude. Approach the conversation with a positive attitude, even if you receive feedback that may be difficult to hear. Remember that the conversation is designed to help you grow and develop, and that your manager is there to support you.

Use our proposed agenda to guide you.

Schedule approximately 45-60 minutes with your manager to take the lead in your Growth Conversation.

Feel free to use this suggested agenda as a starting point:

⭐️ [5 mins] Set the tone for the conversation and discuss how you'd like to drive it. Specify the type of input you'd appreciate from your manager throughout the discussion, whether it's active dialogue or listening first.

⭐️ [10 mins] Self-reflect on your performance and share your observations. Discuss the feedback received from colleagues (from September onwards, guided by your previous goals).

⭐️ [10 mins] Invite your manager to provide their assessment of your performance over the last 3 months.

⭐️ [10 mins] Review your proposed goals and incorporate feedback from your manager to refine them.

⭐️ [5 mins] Ensure mutual understanding of the feedback and agree on the final goals.

During your Growth Conversation.

During your conversation, give it structure to make the most out of it! Here's a handy roadmap to guide you on your journey:

Gratitude

Begin by expressing your appreciation for the chance to chat about your performance and growth. Show that you're excited to dive into this adventure together!

Accomplishments

Share your self-reflection on the incredible feats you've achieved and the areas where you can level up. Be honest and open about your journey so far.

Dialogue

Engage in a constructive dialogue by actively listening to your manager's insights and feedback. It's a chance to learn and grow, so embrace the exchange of ideas.

Goals

Together, embark on an exciting journey of exploration and collaboration as you discuss and set goals that not only align with your unique role but also contribute to the grand objectives of our team.

Environment

Cultivate a feedback-friendly space by fostering open and honest communication with your manager. Create an atmosphere of trust and respect where both you and your manager can freely share insights, provide feedback, and collaborate effectively.

Ask!

Seek support and clarification by asking for resources or mentorship opportunities to help achieve your goals and seeking clarification on any aspects of feedback or goal expectations that need further understanding.

I need examples.

Setting the tone: "I'd love to talk about how I've been doing lately. I'm proud of [specific accomplishments], but I also see room to grow in [areas of improvement]. Your feedback and guidance mean a lot to me, so I'd appreciate your perspective on my performance and any goals you think I should focus on."

Asking for feedback: "I would appreciate your support in identifying any resources or training opportunities that can help me improve in the areas we discussed. Additionally, I would like to seek clarification on [specific aspect of feedback or goal expectations] to ensure I have a clear understanding of what is expected of me."

Remember, this conversation is an opportunity for growth and collaboration, so make the most of it by actively participating and seeking the support and guidance you need to excel!

After your Growth Conversation.

Reflect on the conversation

The best way to find out if you achieved your intention is to ask yourself,

How did you feel going into, and coming out of the conversation?

What could have be done differently to improve the experience?

Were there moments that made me feel uncomfortable? Why?

Was there anything I heard that I didn’t know how to address?

Get ready to work at the goals!

Ask for clarification: If there was anything that you didn't fully understand, don't hesitate to ask for clarification.

Celebrate your successes: Take time to celebrate your successes and accomplishments.

Take action on feedback: Use the feedback you received during the conversation to identify areas where you can improve and take action.

Follow-Up and document

Summarize the key points discussed and any action items agreed upon during the conversation.

Send a follow-up email to your manager to express your gratitude for the conversation and reiterate your commitment to achieving the set goals.

Example: "Thank you for our conversation today. To ensure clarity, I have summarized our discussion and the agreed-upon goals [include summary]. I will log these goals in Workday so we can keep track of their progress. Let me know if there is anything else you would like me to focus on."

Remember, open and proactive communication with your manager fosters a supportive working relationship and contributes to your professional growth. Use this guide as a starting point, tailoring the conversation to your unique circumstances and goals.

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