The Career Architect ©
A customizable enterprise AI solution that drives development and performance, aligned with your unique talent strategy.
A Generative Artificial Intelligence Solution
- 6,000+ Development Tips
- 50 years of research-based content
- Curated videos
- Integration options with Single Sign On
- From the creators of the 9-box, 70/20/10, Learning Agility, the competency movement, and more..
Designed to Ensure Your Brand Takes Center Stage
Create a Career Architect© that reflects the values and culture unique to your enterprise. Represent your organization with customizable logos, colors and fonts, and access our comprehensive library of resources to tailor your program to your team's specific goals. You can further customize your Career Architect with pre-populated prompts and even rename the solution to fit you needs.
Career Architect© can address different groups and goals within your organization
At All Levels
Leaders, Managers, and Individual Contributors fulfill unique roles and responsibilities. This creates the need for unique developmental guidance. The Career Architect© delivers level-specific development tips and strategies at the moment of need.
As a Leader, what are 5 tips to help me improve my executive presence?
• Assess your ability to attract and hold attention, gain respect, and persuade others to understand how you currently exhibit leadership presence and where there may be room for improvement.
• Use your presence and gravitas productively to command respect and attention in any room or situation.
• Work diligently to build up your presence profile, enhancing how you are perceived in terms of expertise, mastery, and the ability to lead effectively.
• Tune into your audience to ensure your message is received well and that you are effectively engaging with those around you.
• Know when to step aside, demonstrating humility and the ability to put the team's needs above your own.
Leaders, Managers, and Individual Contributors fulfill unique roles and responsibilities. This creates the need for unique developmental guidance. The Career Architect© delivers level-specific development tips and strategies at the moment of need.
As a Manager, what should I start, stop and continue doing to manage individuals differently?
To effectively manage individuals differently as a Manager, you should consider the following actions:
Start: Reading people carefully to understand the ways they differ and what those differences mean. This involves being a careful observer of your team members' preferences, work styles, and motivations.
Stop: Assuming that your preferred ways of working and motivating are the best for everyone. Avoid imposing your style on all team members and recognize that what works for one may not work for another.
Continue: Flexing your behavior when relating to and working with others. This means adjusting your communication style, leadership tactics, and management techniques to align with the needs of the individuals you are managing. Additionally, continue soliciting feedback from employees or team members to understand what is working and what isn't in your management approach.
Consider making a list of each person who works for you to identify what motivates them and how they prefer to work. Based on your observations and the feedback received, adjust your approach accordingly. Remember, subtle shifts in your management style can lead to significant impacts on your team's performance and satisfaction.
Leaders, Managers, and Individual Contributors fulfill unique roles and responsibilities. This creates the need for unique developmental guidance. The Career Architect© delivers level-specific development tips and strategies at the moment of need.
As an Individual Contributor what behaviors should I demonstrate to add more value in my role?
To add more value in your role as an Individual Contributor, it's crucial to demonstrate behaviors that contribute both to your personal growth and the betterment of your team and organization. Here are key behaviors to focus on:
• Actively seek opportunities to make improvements in your work and the overall team approach, showing a commitment to the larger enterprise.
• Go beyond your immediate scope of work to address and improve issues that benefit everyone.
• Show ownership of problems that arise and extend extra effort to assist customers or coworkers.
• Embrace constant and lifelong learning to keep adding value as needs evolve.
• Maintain an optimistic and positive outlook, which can inspire and encourage collaboration among your peers.
• Participate actively in work and beyond, helping others when needed and contributing to enterprise causes and initiatives.
• Seek feedback and challenges that expand your skill sets and perspectives, demonstrating a desire for personal growth and development.
• Understand and align with the expectations and priorities of your manager and customers to ensure you are meeting and exceeding the baseline requirements of your role.
By focusing on these behaviors, you can significantly enhance your contribution and value as an Individual Contributor within your organization.
Leaders, Managers, and Individual Contributors fulfill unique roles and responsibilities. This creates the need for unique developmental guidance. The Career Architect© delivers level-specific development tips and strategies at the moment of need.
What should I do to prepare for a meeting that will include conflict to ensure it is productive?
• Be comfortable with productive conflict that encourages creativity and work towards a permanent fix rather than a temporary one.
• Check in with the source of the conflict to confirm that it is being addressed effectively.
• Anticipate potential conflicts by assessing your organization, team, and projects, and plan your response in advance. Negotiate resources with key stakeholders early to minimize conflict later.
• Remain objective about issues rather than taking them personally, and use open-ended or clarifying questions to understand the other person's perspective.
• Confirm what you hear and the reasons behind statements to ensure mutual understanding, then share your needs and what matters to you without trying to win or overwhelm the other person.
• Look for common ground and solutions that give everyone something they want, aiming for a win-win solution.
• Practice presenting your ideas succinctly and seek feedback to ensure your message is clear and impactful.
• Clarify commitments to avoid unmet expectations and consider creating a system to ensure that commitments are met.
• Improve communication by taking into account people's feelings and motivations, and create a safe environment for open communication about ideas, experiences, and opinions.
Competencies & Values
Teams
Assessments
Career Architect© Use Cases
Leaders, Managers, and Individual Contributors fulfill unique roles and responsibilities. This creates the need for unique developmental guidance. The Career Architect© delivers level-specific development tips and strategies at the moment of need.
As a Leader, what are 5 tips to help me improve my executive presence?
• Assess your ability to attract and hold attention, gain respect, and persuade others to understand how you currently exhibit leadership presence and where there may be room for improvement.
• Use your presence and gravitas productively to command respect and attention in any room or situation.
• Work diligently to build up your presence profile, enhancing how you are perceived in terms of expertise, mastery, and the ability to lead effectively.
• Tune into your audience to ensure your message is received well and that you are effectively engaging with those around you.
• Know when to step aside, demonstrating humility and the ability to put the team's needs above your own.
Leaders, Managers, and Individual Contributors fulfill unique roles and responsibilities. This creates the need for unique developmental guidance. The Career Architect© delivers level-specific development tips and strategies at the moment of need.
As a Manager, what should I start, stop and continue doing to manage individuals differently?
To effectively manage individuals differently as a Manager, you should consider the following actions:
Start: Reading people carefully to understand the ways they differ and what those differences mean. This involves being a careful observer of your team members' preferences, work styles, and motivations.
Stop: Assuming that your preferred ways of working and motivating are the best for everyone. Avoid imposing your style on all team members and recognize that what works for one may not work for another.
Continue: Flexing your behavior when relating to and working with others. This means adjusting your communication style, leadership tactics, and management techniques to align with the needs of the individuals you are managing. Additionally, continue soliciting feedback from employees or team members to understand what is working and what isn't in your management approach.
Consider making a list of each person who works for you to identify what motivates them and how they prefer to work. Based on your observations and the feedback received, adjust your approach accordingly. Remember, subtle shifts in your management style can lead to significant impacts on your team's performance and satisfaction.
Leaders, Managers, and Individual Contributors fulfill unique roles and responsibilities. This creates the need for unique developmental guidance. The Career Architect© delivers level-specific development tips and strategies at the moment of need.
As an Individual Contributor what behaviors should I demonstrate to add more value in my role?
To add more value in your role as an Individual Contributor, it's crucial to demonstrate behaviors that contribute both to your personal growth and the betterment of your team and organization. Here are key behaviors to focus on:
• Actively seek opportunities to make improvements in your work and the overall team approach, showing a commitment to the larger enterprise.
• Go beyond your immediate scope of work to address and improve issues that benefit everyone.
• Show ownership of problems that arise and extend extra effort to assist customers or coworkers.
• Embrace constant and lifelong learning to keep adding value as needs evolve.
• Maintain an optimistic and positive outlook, which can inspire and encourage collaboration among your peers.
• Participate actively in work and beyond, helping others when needed and contributing to enterprise causes and initiatives.
• Seek feedback and challenges that expand your skill sets and perspectives, demonstrating a desire for personal growth and development.
• Understand and align with the expectations and priorities of your manager and customers to ensure you are meeting and exceeding the baseline requirements of your role.
By focusing on these behaviors, you can significantly enhance your contribution and value as an Individual Contributor within your organization.
Leaders, Managers, and Individual Contributors fulfill unique roles and responsibilities. This creates the need for unique developmental guidance. The Career Architect© delivers level-specific development tips and strategies at the moment of need.
What should I do to prepare for a meeting that will include conflict to ensure it is productive?
• Be comfortable with productive conflict that encourages creativity and work towards a permanent fix rather than a temporary one.
• Check in with the source of the conflict to confirm that it is being addressed effectively.
• Anticipate potential conflicts by assessing your organization, team, and projects, and plan your response in advance. Negotiate resources with key stakeholders early to minimize conflict later.
• Remain objective about issues rather than taking them personally, and use open-ended or clarifying questions to understand the other person's perspective.
• Confirm what you hear and the reasons behind statements to ensure mutual understanding, then share your needs and what matters to you without trying to win or overwhelm the other person.
• Look for common ground and solutions that give everyone something they want, aiming for a win-win solution.
• Practice presenting your ideas succinctly and seek feedback to ensure your message is clear and impactful.
• Clarify commitments to avoid unmet expectations and consider creating a system to ensure that commitments are met.
• Improve communication by taking into account people's feelings and motivations, and create a safe environment for open communication about ideas, experiences, and opinions.
Around the world, organizations use a variety of competency and values models. No matter your guiding model, The Career Architect© aligns and provides development tips and strategies at the moment of need.
How can I develop the ability to make quality decisions in the absence of complete information?
To develop the ability to make quality decisions in the absence of complete information, embrace the discomfort of uncertainty and recognize that not making a decision is in itself a decision. It's crucial to act based on the best information available at the moment, track the outcomes of your decisions, and learn from them to refine your decision-making process over time.
Being reliant and resourceful, including seeking input from knowledgeable colleagues, experts, and diverse information sources, is key.
Additionally, evaluating the value and truth of the information you do have, and being open to adjusting your decisions as new information comes to light, will enhance your ability to make quality decisions under uncertainty.
Around the world, organizations use a variety of competency and values models. No matter your guiding model, The Career Architect© aligns and provides development tips and strategies at the moment of need.
As I work to instill trust with others, what should I start, stop and continue doing?
To instill trust with others, here are actions you should start, stop, and continue doing:
Start: Communicating your expectations clearly and consistently to build a foundation of trust. Begin with an assumption of positive intention in others' behavior, and make an effort to understand and align your actions with your stated values and beliefs. Create a plan to address situations where you might not have been as consistent in showing trust. Expand your circle of trusted individuals by connecting meaningfully with at least one more person.
Stop: Saying you trust others while simultaneously looking for reasons not to. Avoid pushing to win at all costs or assuming that others will abuse confidences shared. Refrain from actions that contradict your stated beliefs and values, as these can create doubt and undermine trust.
Continue: Asking for feedback on how your actions align with your words and values. Check in with those you depend on to ensure your behavior is consistent with your declarations of trust.
Communicate your confidence in others' abilities to meet their commitments and discuss openly when they might be unable to do so. Maintain a positive mood and constructive actions, as these are key to building and sustaining trust.
Around the world, organizations use a variety of competency and values models. No matter your guiding model, The Career Architect© aligns and provides development tips and strategies at the moment of need.
What are 5 strategies to improve my collaboration skills?
• Communicate clearly by articulating your needs and ensuring your request is understood before sharing it with others. Writing down your thoughts in advance can help make your points concise and clear.
• Be dependable, demonstrating over time that you can be relied upon. This involves delivering consistent high-quality results and keeping peers and bosses informed.
• Expect and manage conflict by discussing how it will be handled before it arises. This helps in creating solutions beforehand and ensures smoother collaboration.
• Share your ideas with peers to build rapport and trust, showing your desire to see their work succeed.
•Listen to others attentively without preparing your response in advance. Paraphrase what you've heard to test your understanding and demonstrate your desire to truly understand the needs of others.
Around the world, organizations use a variety of competency and values models. No matter your guiding model, The Career Architect© aligns and provides development tips and strategies at the moment of need.
What can I do to enhance the level of service to customers?
To enhance the level of service to customers, consider implementing a multifaceted approach that includes actively soliciting and monitoring feedback to identify trends and areas for improvement.
• Engage with front-line service providers to understand common customer frustrations and questions, and use this insight to make informed adjustments.
• Enhance your knowledge of your company's products and services and the broader industry by participating in relevant organizations and networking events.
• Empower sales professionals with the authority to address customer issues promptly, and explore offering comprehensive solutions beyond just products, including needs analysis and implementation planning. Implement incentives or loyalty programs to encourage repeat business.
• Continuously analyze and improve your processes to add unexpected value for your customers, and study role models in customer service for inspiration. Utilize digital resources to expand your understanding of customer centricity and satisfaction.
Finally, focus on building personal connections with customers through regular communication, acknowledging special occasions, and being proactive in providing information and updates.
In the world of work, teams drive outcomes. No matter the model or approach, team members need development guidance that shapes their behaviors to enhance effectiveness. The Career Architect© provides this guidance at the moment of need.
What steps can my team take to ensure there are open lines of communication?
To ensure open lines of communication within your team, consider implementing the following steps:
• Establish routine team communication through regular meetings, such as 5-minute stand-up meetings or bi-weekly conference calls, to create a predictable pattern of updates and information sharing.
• Be sensitive to time when discussing agenda items in meetings, assigning a specific timeframe to each topic to maintain focus and efficiency.
• Remain open to feedback and coaching, and seek opportunities for growth in every interaction, whether it's through email, phone calls, or team presentations.
• Verify the success of your communications by checking for understanding with recipients face-to-face, especially if you do not receive responses to important messages.
• Clarify commitments by making sure everyone understands their responsibilities and deadlines, and follow up with summaries of agreed-upon tasks after meetings.
• Consider the feelings and motivations of team members, as these can significantly impact the outcome of projects and communications.
• Build trust and safety within the team to facilitate open communication about ideas, experiences, and opinions, even when they differ. If necessary, create confidential communication channels to address issues of trust or safety.
In the world of work, teams drive outcomes. No matter the model or approach, team members need development guidance that shapes their behaviors to enhance effectiveness. The Career Architect© provides this guidance at the moment of need.
How can I ensure our team learns from past challenges and successes to increase our effectiveness?
To ensure that your team learns from past challenges and successes to increase effectiveness, consider the following strategies:
• Develop a strategic plan that looks 3-5 years into the future, considering industry trends, customer needs, and technological advancements. This broad perspective encourages innovative thinking
• Create a development and skill-building plan for each team member, focusing on necessary knowledge, skills, and practices for current and future roles. Set actionable steps and accountability measures
• Encourage the practice of debriefing after successes and failures. Journaling or recording key elements can provide insights into effective behaviors and areas for improvement.Promote a mindset of optimism and confidence.
• Reflect on past challenges overcome and envision future success to enhance problem-solving abilities.Shift the team's perspective towards optimism during difficult times by considering the long-term significance of current challenges and proactive steps to overcome them
• Foster a learning agile environment by challenging team members to work at their peak, promoting growth, collaboration, and talent development
These strategies collectively contribute to a culture of continuous learning and improvement, positioning your team for increased effectiveness.
In the world of work, teams drive outcomes. No matter the model or approach, team members need development guidance that shapes their behaviors to enhance effectiveness. The Career Architect© provides this guidance at the moment of need.
As a member of a remote team, what steps can I take to improve working relationships?
To improve working relationships as a member of a remote team, consider the following steps:
• Seek feedback on how you model the team's norms, including asking for 360 feedback through a formal survey and debriefing it with a coach. This can help identify and address any trust issues or disconnects in how you are perceived versus how you see yourself
• Build broad and deep networks before you need them. Engage with colleagues both inside and outside of your function, celebrate their accomplishments, and acknowledge special occasions like birthdays to build rapport over time
• Identify opportunities to create shared goals with your team. Engage your manager in a discussion about how your goals could be stretched and shared with others, fostering an environment where collaboration is essential for success
• Be mindful of your communication style, especially in a remote setting. Avoid using ALL CAPS or bold unless it's necessary for emphasis, and be cautious with power adjectives. Stick to the basics in communication to ensure clarity and prevent misunderstandings.
In the world of work, teams drive outcomes. No matter the model or approach, team members need development guidance that shapes their behaviors to enhance effectiveness. The Career Architect© provides this guidance at the moment of need.
How can I ensure that the work of our team is aligned with the organizational priorities?
To ensure that your team operates in a feedback-rich environment, it is crucial to foster a culture where feedback is seen as a tool for growth and improvement rather than something to be avoided. Here are some strategies:
• Encourage open and supportive feedback among team members. Make it comfortable for them to share positive observations as well as express concerns or confusion in a constructive manner. Identify specific behaviors in each team member that you want to continue or adjust, and choose the right moments to provide this feedback, ensuring it's timely and separated from other forms of feedback.
• Develop your skills in giving feedback by understanding what the individual aims to achieve and tailoring your feedback to help them improve in that context. Consider finding a coach or resources that can enhance your ability to provide actionable and constructive feedback.Implement feedback loops by setting up short-term goals or milestones that allow for regular check-ins and course corrections. This encourages early and frequent feedback, helping the team to adjust before issues escalate.
Reward and recognize team members who are open to reworking ideas or approaches based on feedback, thus reinforcing a positive feedback culture.
Your learners desire access to aligned development resources beyond their assessment results. The Career Architect© fulfills this desire no matter the assessment. From personality assessments to emotional intelligence, and from competencies to strengths...and beyond, your learners are covered.
What should I start doing to improve my emotional intelligence?
To improve your emotional intelligence, you should start by engaging more deeply in conversations with others. Begin by asking open-ended questions and listening attentively without interruptions, allowing the speaker to lead the conversation. This practice will enhance your self-awareness and help you better understand others' moods, emotions, and perspectives.
Additionally, actively seek feedback on your listening skills and how others perceive your responsiveness and adaptability. It's also crucial to manage your use of technology effectively, ensuring that digital communication does not hinder your ability to understand and connect with people. Focus on being present during conversations by avoiding distractions, putting away your phone, and closing your computer or TV.
Finally, adjust your language and approach based on your audience, demonstrating that you have listened and understood their needs and perspectives.
Your learners desire access to aligned development resources beyond their assessment results. The Career Architect© fulfills this desire no matter the assessment. From personality assessments to emotional intelligence, and from competencies to strengths...and beyond, your learners are covered.
My Myers-Briggs type is ESTJ. I am currently working with an INFP. What are strategies I could use to ensure we reach our shared goals?
To ensure you and your INFP colleague reach your shared goals, consider leveraging your ESTJ strengths in organization, conscientiousness, and focus, alongside practices that enhance teaming skills and agile collaboration. Here are some strategies
• Establish and communicate clear purposes for your projects, tapping into your natural ability to do so effectively as an ESTJ
• Be open to experiencing new ideas and approaches that your INFP colleague may bring to the table, fostering an environment of mutual learning and growth.Utilize your and your colleague's strengths in being systematic and accommodating to navigate uncertainties and ambiguities in projects
• Focus on building a personal and enterprise growth mindset, encouraging both of you to see challenges as opportunities for development.
• Be organized, conscientious, and focused in managing tasks and plans, ensuring that both of you are aligned and on track towards your shared goals.
Your learners desire access to aligned development resources beyond their assessment results. The Career Architect© fulfills this desire no matter the assessment. From personality assessments to emotional intelligence, and from competencies to strengths...and beyond, your learners are covered.
What does my level of Openness say about my approach to new experiences and ideas based on my Big 5 assessment results?
Your level of Openness indicates a proactive approach towards new experiences and ideas. Being skilled in Openness to Others means you are receptive to the ideas and suggestions of others, valuing their judgment and regularly engaging in assessing the climate at work or home by inquiring about others' thoughts and feelings.
You demonstrate the ability to suspend judgments to fully listen and understand others, taking responsibility for how your behavior impacts those around you. This trait allows you to be open to constructive feedback without the need to justify or defend your behavior, showing a willingness to adjust your position and possibly set aside your own opinions to let others' viewpoints prevail. You are attentive to concerns about the work environment or family relationships and open to new information about people and situations, adjusting your opinions as needed.
On the contrary, a lack of skill in Openness to Others is characterized by avoiding or being defensive about receiving feedback, justifying behavior without considering its impact on others, and ignoring or rejecting input from others. This unskilled approach also includes showing no interest in the opinions or needs of others in shared environments and a tendency to believe in gossip or speculation without questioning its truth.
Overall, your level of Openness reflects your ability to engage constructively with new experiences and ideas, emphasizing the importance of understanding and valuing others' perspectives alongside your own.
Your learners desire access to aligned development resources beyond their assessment results. The Career Architect© fulfills this desire no matter the assessment. From personality assessments to emotional intelligence, and from competencies to strengths...and beyond, your learners are covered.
How can I use my strengths to overcome obstacles and achieve my goals?
To use your strengths to overcome obstacles and achieve your goals, start by reflecting on past challenges you've successfully navigated.
Acknowledge your perseverance and the strengths that helped you prevail.
Consult with friends or colleagues to identify your unique talents that can aid in overcoming current challenges. Write down how these strengths position you for success and control over the situation. Adopting a positive mindset can significantly reduce stress and enhance your success rate.
Additionally, consider taking on new, interesting challenges or hiring a coach to further develop and leverage your strengths, as success builds upon success. Use forward-looking questions to shift perspective and find proactive steps to move beyond difficult times.