At Voys you have a lot of freedom to shape your own career, and to focus on using your talents and skills. It is up to you, with help from others, to discover what you’re good at and explore your talents. Part of working in a self-managing organization is also having ownership over your growth and development, and ultimately the path your career takes. After all, who knows better than you what your ambitions are, where you can grow, and how to get there?
To help every colleague take a look at their work, growth, and the path they are taking, we are introducing the reflect and grow cycle. To do this, everyone gets a Notion page that is part of a database. The Notion page has all the questions to answer, and even some extra suggestions if you would like to dive deeper. The page should be linked to your personal page to make it easier for colleagues to find. Of course if Notion isn’t your cup of tea, feel free to copy the questions into a presentation, picture format, or whatever helps you. (Pro tip - link whatever you used into your Notion page to keep everything connected).
There are 4 sections, two for you to think about your work and your collaborations, and two sections for you to gather input from colleagues about your work and collaboration.
How does the reflect and grow cycle work?
- Think about how often it fits you to reflect and plan ahead. Would your career benefit from more frequent reflection? Choose between doing this process every 3 months, 6 months, or 12 months.
- Choose a reflect buddy - this is a person who will reflect as often as you, and who you can spar with about your reflection and future plans. You can also hold each other accountable for actually getting this done 💪🏻 Not sure who to work with? The reflect coach can help - send one of us a message!
- Add your reflect and grow page to your personal page in Notion - It is easier for you and other people to find it from your personal page than in the database.
- Each time you are going to reflect and plan, block the time you think you will need in your calendar so you can focus on this. Begin by moving the old answers to the archive (Pro-tip, You can duplicate everything, move it into the archive toggle, and then clear out the answers to the questions and answer them again.
- Feel free to change the questions or add ones that help you - the goal is to build our habit for reflecting and planning, so please add what helps you do that!
Time frames for the reflect and grow cycle
⌚ 3 months:
If you want to complete the cycle every 3 months:
- Complete your first reflect and grow cycle sometime between December 1st and January 15th of the following year.
- Complete your second reflect and grow cycle between March 15th and April 15th.
- Complete your third reflect and grow cycle between June 15th and July 15th.
- Complete your fourth reflect and grow cycle between September 15th and October 15th.
⏰ 6 months:
If you want to complete the cycle every 6 months:
- Complete your first reflect and grow cycle sometime between December 1st and January 15th of the following year.
- Complete your second reflect and grow cycle between June 15th and July 15th.
⏳ 12 months
If you want to complete the cycle every 12 months:
- Complete your reflect and grow cycle sometime between December 1st and January 15th of the following year.
Share your reflect and growth cycle with your circle(s)
Part of reflecting and growing is that you take your colleagues on the journey with you. This is a perfect moment to check in with each other as a circle, to see where you are all working towards and how you can help each other get there.
At the beginning of the year, everyone will do their reflect and grow cycle, regardless of how frequently you do this throughout the year. As a circle, plan a time to get together and share your reflections and plans for growth. If you choose to do the reflect and grow cycle more often, of course you can also keep your circle updated throughout the year.
Dates to keep in mind: - The first reflect and grow cycle should be completed by January 15th - Each circle should have their check-in by February 15th
Need some help?
You are responsible for your own personal and professional development, but that doesn’t mean there are no resources to help you! There are several roles you can ask for help as well for the reflecting part as of the growing part.
These are the roles you can ask for help:
Role | How the role can help | Signals to take action |
Helping colleagues reflect on the work they did and what their future plans are. | Traditionally this is done at the end of the year and beginning of the new year, but if reflection is needed because of major changes, this role could help. | |
Supporting colleagues who have questions about their job. | If you want low-threshold support in researching your goals. | |
Facilitating growth in colleagues | When a colleague mentions they want to grow or be mentored in a certain skill. | |
Discuss feedback processes with new teams or circles | When a new circle or team is formed and has started working together. | |
Advice in how to represent the new vision and work that needs to be done in a holacratic structure. | When there is a clear idea of how things should be organized to get the work done. | |
Help individual colleagues work structured and efficiently when they start working in new/different roles. | When people start working in roles that are part of the new structure and feel like they need guidance in organizing their work. | |
Organizing trainings for teams who want to learn and develop skills | When there is a need for training or courses | |
Facilitating colleagues to use their study budget in a way that helps them expand or change their roles. | If someone needs help with choosing a study or course. Read more | |
Helping colleagues who are thinking about radically reinventing their careers. | If someone has career doubts and is looking for another job within or outside of the organization. Read more | |
Giving guidance when it comes to moving on to a completely different (set of) role(s). When legal and financial agreements need to be made if there is a major shift of roles. | When a colleague needs help making sure that the roles they want to fill are what is needed in the company, and what steps to take to make sure this is the right (set of) roles for them. | |
If you want to explore your talents and motivations through TMA | When a colleague or team wants to look at their talents. | |
If you have questions about the Voys Value Model. Also make sure to read more information here | When you feel that you are structurally doing different work and feel a change is necessary. |