Self Development: How to

Help Yourself and ARS

National AO Conference
Colorado Springs, CO
April 23-27, 2001
Self Development
 Presenters:
 Diane M. Strub, AAO, Midwest Area
 Deb Larson, Acctg Tech, Northern Plains
 Sheila Zeto, LAO, North Atlantic
 Self Development
Goal of this Session:
Provide you some tools,
resources and tips to help
you climb the ladder of
success in your ARS career
 Let’s Loosen Up!
Write down, as fast and furious as you can,
what frustrates you about your present job;
what do you worry about; what are your
career challenges? Ready, Set, Write!
Self Development
What does a successful LAO look
like to you?
Self Development - KSAs
 Interpersonal Skills
 How well you communicate is key to how
you relate to your supervisor, your staff,
your customers.
 Research of successful individuals show
they attribute their success to interpersonal
skills (85%) and technical skills (15%)
Self Development – KSAs 2
 Organizational Skills
 Would you call yourself organized?
 How do you prioritize multiple tasks
and “juggle many hats”?
 What kind of time management tool do you
use?
Self Development – KSAs 3
 Increased Knowledge Base
 What are you reading?
 Who are you networking with?
 Where are your resources?
 Be a sponge!
 Self Development – KSAs 4
 Increased Technical Ability
 What training have you taken?
 What training do you need?
 What are your strengths & weaknesses?
 What does your IDP look like?
 Self Development – KSAs 5
 Learn to Give and Take Direction
 How well do you take direction?
 How well do you lead your staff?
 Supervisory training is a must!
 Who is your mentor?
Self Development
Success Stories
Diane, Sheila, Deb
Success Stories – audience?
Do’s and Don’ts 2
Take control of your own career. Do not
wait for things to happen to you but be
open to opportunities. Luck is simply
preparation meeting opportunity!

“The best way to predict the future is to

create it.” Peter Drucker
Do’s and Don’ts 3
Consider yourself the first beneficiary of
your work. Consider it an exercise in
developing yourself.

Foster a “can do” attitude!

Do’s and Don’ts 3
“Do what you can with what you have right
where you are.” Teddy Roosevelt

“Unless a person undertakes more than they

can possibly do, they will never do all they
possibly can.”

Be willing to learn
from your mistakes!
Do’s and Don’ts 4
“The quality of a person’s life is in direct
proportion to their commitment to
excellence, regardless of their chosen
field of endeavor.” Vince Lombardi

Jump in, be willing to take risks, be

willing to ask for help, move ahead.
Do’s and Don’ts
“Never be afraid to try something new.
Remember, amateurs built the ark;
professionals built the Titantic.”
Do’s and Don’ts
Don’t be afraid to be in the “discomfort
zone”, the risk zone, trying something
new, being more than you are now and
stretching yourself to new limits.
Do’s and Don’ts 5
You need to learn how to deal with the
“tyranny of the urgent”. Manage the
stress, prioritize, and do your best.

Strive for balance between

your work life and your
personal life.
 Do’s and Don’ts 6
 Visit your research personnel; ask
questions about their research.
 Sense of humor mandatory!

Don’t be afraid to laugh at yourself.

 Learn how to delegate.
 There’s more than one way to skin a cat!
Empower your staff to be creative.
Self Development - Handouts
 Individual Development Plan
 Brochure
 Sample IDP
 LAO Training Matrix
 Suggested Reading List
 Things to Consider
Self Development – Handouts
 SMART Center
 Useful Web sites
 Program Information
 New Leader Program
 LEAD
 CARE
Self Development – Handouts
 Dr. Seuss Poem
 Addresses of Presenters
 Evaluation Form
Self Development - Summary
 Your career is what you make it. Be
proactive.
 Utilize all your resources available to you.
 Challenge:
 Make new contacts while at the meeting.
 Plan your IDP and go to training!
 Read – pick one book off the list to read!
 Volunteer.
 Find a Mentor
Self Development - Summary
Strive for “WOW”!
 “I love my job!”
 Your customers love your service!
 You feel valued and have a sense of
accomplishment!
 You are in a “good” place!