The Myth of the Annual IDP

Have you ever completed an annual Individual Development Plan (IDP)?

I have. I have found the annual IDP is a “check-the-box” activity that outlines what I want to do for the next year to grow and develop.

An annual IDP is short-sighted and limiting.

A one-year plan is limiting.

“Most people overestimate what they can do in one year and underestimate what they can do in ten years.”

― Bill Gates

Consider Sue, an accounting manager. She wants to grow into a director role and lead a team of accountants in her company. To prepare for this role, she meets with her HR partner and commits to three development actions:

1 — Complete Leadership Essentials Course by 4/30

2 — Take PowerBI course by 7/31

3 — Attend a Women’s Leadership conference by 11/31

In May, the company announced they were acquiring a major competitor. As a result, she only completed the first action item. Sue felt defeated at the end of the year because she didn’t accomplish her development goals.

Her one-year plan failed.

Sue needs to create an Agile Multi-Year development plan.

“You can imagine a career and a life that don’t exist; you can build that future you, and as a result your life will change.”

― Bill Burnett

Sue needs to look at what she learned DURING the acquisition and note these experiences as LEARNING experiences! For example, she gained:

Change Management skills

Project Management skills

Communication Skills

Accounting Skills

Last, Sue needs to give credit to the work experiences she gained and plan five years out instead of one year out for development!

Tip #1: Design Thinking. Use design thinking to create two to three alternative life plans.

Tip #2: Map Out Five Years. Don’t think in one-year stretches; design and map out your plan at least three to five years out to stretch possibilities.

Tip #3: Keep it Agile. Build the plan, but constantly aspire, adapt and adjust.

Finally, don’t think the one-year IDP is your career plan. Think bigger and bolder!

And then, you have one life to live — aspire to greatness!

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