At 5 years old, Nanci Appleman-Vassil already knew she wanted to be "in the people business."
"My mom and I would go in a restaurant and look at people and say, 'What's their story? What's going on with those two people?' " or with the family at the next table, she told attendees at the SHRM Annual Conference & Expo 2023 (SHRM23) in Las Vegas.
Appleman-Vassil's early interest in helping people led her to work in the guidance counselor's office in high school. She then continued with relevant study in college and 25 years in the training, organizational development and corporate consulting field.
She is CEO of APLS Group in Raleigh, N.C., which specializes in facilitating solutions for individuals, groups and organizations. She presented the June 14 concurrent session, "You're the CEO of Your Career: What's Your Vision?"
Becoming the CEO of your career "starts with intention," Appleman-Vassil said. "Intention is so critical."
There are four crucial components for developing your career, she noted, and they stem from self-awareness:
1. Have a clear vision.
What do you want? Be aware, too, she cautioned, for "blind spots to career vision."
"Are you using your talents the way you want to use your talent? Is [your] organization receptive to what you want to do and how you're doing it?" she asked.
2. Dedicate yourself to being a continuous learner. Be curious, she urged attendees, and constantly test out "new things you want to do."
3. Foster strong relationships, and meet and network with people.
Appleman-Vassil pointed to Mitch Albom, author of bestselling books that include Tuesdays with Morrie (Broadway Books, 1997), who spoke from the SHRM23 Main Stage on June 13 about the importance of connecting with others.
"You have to find time to invest time in people while you are living," Albom said, choking up at times while delivering his remarks. "If you do, your voice will remain inside them even after you are gone."
4. Develop your foundation by being able to answer the questions "Who are you?" and "What do you stand for?"
Appleman-Vassil likened building one's career to constructing a house.
"When I think of building my house as it relates to my organization and professional life, what I'm thinking of are my habits, my character, my destiny." Consider your words, actions, habits and character when constructing your house, she advised.
She challenged conference attendees to reflect on their interests; strongest skills; values and "nonnegotiables"; the kind of culture they want to create for themselves; their education and training; and what they need in order to realize their desired career.
There is no one path to the career you want, Appleman-Vassil said. Scaling the typical career ladder may not be right for you and where you want to go.
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