Striving for a Mutually Beneficial Relationship To effectively create and align goals, you must be able to identify each party’s contribution to the other’s requirements and assess whether those are in or out of balance. In doing so, you may discover areas in which your skills and attributes are relevant or need development, as well as determine what factors might increase your level of satisfaction with the organization and your specific role. Answer the questions across the boxes bilaterally and look for any gaps in your answers. With the information gleaned from this assessment, you can move forward by developing a career management plan. This evaluation could apply to your current position or a role you are striving for. How do things align when examining a future opportunity? What actions should you take to improve the chances of successfully reaching that goal? Although it may sound like a labor-intensive endeavor, you can map a path by focusing on the following questions: Where are the overlaps and gaps? Is more information needed? What is your plan to ensure alignment either now or in a future role? What key actions or decisions are required to move forward? What resources are needed for success? Individual’s Requirements Organization’s Contributions • What are my values and interests? • What do I need to keep my life in balance? • What are my developmental needs? • What are the growth opportunities in my organization? • What benefits does my organization offer? • What can my organization offer to make me more effective? Individual’s Contributions Organization’s Requirements • How do I deliver value? • What are my skills and talents? • What is my competitive advantage? • What are the goals and mission of my organization? • What skillsets do I need to help my organization? • What changes affect my organization’s needs? Healthcare Executive nov/DEC 2013 15