What is your 5-year Plan?
This question has probably been asked in every interview you’ve ever had. It’s one of those stock questions you prepare the “perfect answer” for because you know it’s coming. Usually, the answer isn’t the truth- it’s a way of letting the interviewer know you have huge aspirations, confidence and big dreams… And yet, I ask this question in almost every initial performance session I have.
My goal is much different that you’d expect however. I don’t care what your answer is. Whether you tell me you plan to be the next CEO of your company, or whether you want to be the subject matter expert in your field. What I care about is your confidence when you answer me. The initial reaction to this question can tell me more about an individual than the entire hour we spend together, and can set the tone for an honest and effective session.
The truth is, most managers don’t really know what they want. Whether they haven’t had (or taken) the time to sit down and really think about their future; they’ve just been “figuring out as they go along”; or they lack the confidence to choose what happens next, it can be a daunting question that goes unanswered.
It can be even more daunting if you’re happy where you are. Sometimes people hope to be in the exact same position as they are now (while still being challenged and succeeding)- but that isn’t a “perfect answer” when you’re trying to impress someone.
The thing is, there are years for growing and there are years for blooming.
I can normally tell a person’s answer from their reaction right after I ask the question. The person who dives right in and starts to drum off their goals is in a period of growth. They aren’t settled where they are and are looking for more (whether they’re ready for it not- but that’s a different discussion!). The person who ceases eye contact, looks down and hesitates to answer is most likely in a period of blooming, and that should be celebrated.
We work hard at what we do, to hone skills that we’re proud of and that others recognise. But so often, people feel they need to be searching out the next big thing. Yet if we stop and think about where we are in our careers- a period of growth and learning and improving, or a time to bloom, where we are utilising all we have learned, being in the moment and celebrating and succeeding where we are- then we will undoubtedly reach success with confidence. And even more, won’t find ourselves five years down the track in a job or role that we hate- solely because we didn’t recognise where we were headed.