Next Move, Best Move summary

Here’s some professional development advice you won’t find everywhere, but that’s powerful all the same: Identifying the values that matter to you in the workplace lays a strong foundation for your next career moves.

By pinpointing the principles that most resonate with you and aligning your choices with them, each professional step will feel more meaningful – and foster more peace in your personal life. If you aren’t clear on your career values, reflect on your proudest wins and stickiest disappointments in the workplace. This simple reflection can offer revealing insights into what naturally energizes you – teamwork or shared purpose, for instance – and what will always feel off. Crafting and refining your unique professional compass will help you avoid drifting into roles that may seem shiny on the surface but lack the elements that will keep you satisfied.

Your professional brand is so much more than the title on your résumé – it’s the reputation that precedes you, shaping how others perceive your skills, work ethic, and leadership potential. By being intentional about how you present yourself and how others experience your work, you can build an authentic, compelling presence that attracts all the right career moves.

As underscored throughout this Blink, no one is responsible for your success except you. This truth is also the foundation of crafting a smart career strategy. While managers and mentors can offer guidance, it’s ultimately up to you to identify the skills you need, the milestones you want to achieve, and the professional “experience” you wish to cultivate. A well-rounded plan will include the transferrable skills you pinpointed in section one, the short- and long-term goals you defined in section two, and now, consideration of your professional identity. 

Now it’s time for the rubber to hit the road. Taking action is what separates career aspirations from career progress. It’s not enough to simply reflect or set goals – you need to put your plan into motion and advocate for yourself every step of the way.

At this point – the point of starting to make moves – you can easily be tempted toward the shiniest or most convenient opportunities that come your way. But since you’ve chosen to engage with this Blink, you likely care about making your next professional move your best one, not just another one. Here, keeping in mind the career values you identified earlier will stand you in good stead, as will the professional brand you began exploring in the last section. Seeing as you spend so much time working, it’s wise to ensure your job supports your growth and your happiness.