Last updated on Aug 15, 2024

What do you do if your Motivational Interviewing feedback isn't yielding career success?

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a conversational approach designed to help people find their own motivation for change. It's often used in counseling, healthcare, and increasingly in career development. When your MI feedback isn't translating into career success, it can be disheartening. You've learned the techniques, you're applying them, but the progress isn't as expected. This could be a pivotal moment for reflection and strategy adjustment. It's crucial to remember that MI is a skill that can always be refined and that career success is a multifaceted outcome influenced by various factors. Let's explore what you can do when the feedback from your MI efforts doesn't seem to be propelling your career forward.

1 Reflect Deeply

Reflection is a powerful tool in understanding why your MI feedback may not be effective. Take a step back and analyze your conversations. Are you truly listening, or just waiting to speak? Ensure that you're embodying the spirit of MI, which includes partnership, acceptance, compassion, and evocation. Reflect on whether you are effectively drawing out your own reasons for change and aligning them with your career goals. Sometimes, the issue isn't the technique but the alignment of your goals with what truly motivates you.

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Tanvi Shukla

Gold Medalist & Clinical Research Documentation Specialist | Content/Copy Medical Writer | Medical Editor | Blog writer
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If your Motivational Interviewing feedback isn't helping you succeed in your career, it’s important to reassess how you’re applying it. First, make sure you're truly listening to the advice given and reflecting on your strengths and areas to improve. If the feedback isn't motivating or helpful, it might be because the advice isn’t clear enough or not aligned with your goals. You can ask for more specific feedback or seek guidance from someone who understands your career path better. Also, stay patient and remember that success takes time, and making small improvements will eventually lead to big results.

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2 Seek Feedback

It's important to seek feedback on your MI technique from trusted colleagues or mentors. They can provide an external perspective on how well you're using MI principles and skills. Ask for honest feedback on specific areas such as your open-ended questions, affirmations, reflective listening, and summary reflections. This insight can highlight areas for improvement that you might have overlooked. Remember, feedback is a gift that can lead to substantial growth if received with an open mind.

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Mayra Ceballos

[LION +19K] Employability | Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist IT | Empowering Gender Diversity in Tech | Passionate about Candidate Experience| Startup | Tech
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He tenido la fortuna de trabajar en empresas donde dar y recibir feedback es un regalo, y siempre lo he dicho, para dar un feedback hay que saber recibirlo. En varias ocasiones me han felicitado por el logro de mis objetivos y habilidades que han ayudado tambien a lograrlos con todo el equipo, pero ¿Que pasa cuando recibo un feedback para mejorar? Lo primero es NO tomarlo personal, al contrario es una ruta de aprendizaje y hay que trazar un plan para que esta área de mejora, se convierta en una habilidad.

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3 Enhance Skills

If you've identified gaps in your MI skillset, consider pursuing further training or practice. Engage in role-playing exercises with peers or seek out workshops and courses that focus on advanced MI techniques. Practicing in a safe environment can build confidence and competence. Moreover, continuous learning shows commitment to your professional development, which can be attractive to employers and may open up new career opportunities.

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4 Adjust Strategy

Sometimes, the issue may be with your career strategy rather than your MI skills. Evaluate whether your career goals are realistic and if you're applying your MI learnings in the most effective way. Are you networking with the right people? Are you in a field that values and utilizes MI? It might be time to pivot your approach or even reconsider the direction of your career path to better match your MI expertise with opportunities that value it.

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Mayra Ceballos

[LION +19K] Employability | Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist IT | Empowering Gender Diversity in Tech | Passionate about Candidate Experience| Startup | Tech
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¡Adapta tus estrategias! Acorde al mercado laboral; debes de adaptarte a ello, evalua y mide tus estrategías, diversifica tus métodos para postular, simular entrevistas, marca personal, etc. La persistencia y resiliencia son fundamentales en el proceso de búsqueda de empleo, y seguir diversificando tus estrategías, esto te va ayudar a aumentar tus probabiolidades de éxito. Recuerda, buscar trabajo es un trabajo.

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5 Be Patient

Career growth often takes time and persistence. It's important to be patient with yourself and recognize that mastering MI is a journey. The impact of MI on your career might not be immediate, but with consistent application and refinement of your skills, you will likely see progress. Celebrate small victories along the way and maintain a positive outlook. Your dedication to improving through MI will pay off in the long run.

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Vanessa Funmi Ullam
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Career success doesn't happen overnight. It's important to be patient and persistent, even when progress seems slow. Recognize that growth takes time, and every step forward, no matter how small, is progress.

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6 Expand Network

Lastly, expanding your professional network can provide new perspectives and opportunities for career success. Connect with individuals who are also skilled in MI or work in fields where MI is highly valued. Networking can lead to mentorship, collaboration, or even job opportunities that align better with your MI skills. Remember that success is often about who you know as much as what you know, so invest time in building meaningful professional relationships.

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Vanessa Funmi Ullam
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Expanding your professional network can open new doors and provide opportunities you might not have considered. Attend industry events, join professional groups, and connect with others in your field. Networking can lead to valuable insights and career opportunities.

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Mayra Ceballos

[LION +19K] Employability | Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist IT | Empowering Gender Diversity in Tech | Passionate about Candidate Experience| Startup | Tech
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¡El Networking es clave en tu búsqueda de empleo! Dependiendo de tus obejtivos, son las estrategías que vas ha utilizar; acceso al mercado oculto, recomendaciones y referencias, contribuir a un objetivo o tema en común, tener mayor visibilidad para tu marca personal, tener una comunidad de apoyo para el aprendizaje y crecimiento. Otro punto importante, es perder la pena en conectar, y tambien ser consiente de que el crecer tu red es un trabajo diario y objetivo.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What do you do if your Motivational Interviewing feedback isn't yielding career success?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Reflect Deeply

2 Seek Feedback

3 Enhance Skills

4 Adjust Strategy

5 Be Patient

6 Expand Network

7 Here’s what else to consider

Motivational Interviewing

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What do you do if your Motivational Interviewing feedback isn't yielding career success?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Reflect Deeply

2 Seek Feedback

3 Enhance Skills

4 Adjust Strategy

5 Be Patient

6 Expand Network

7 Here’s what else to consider

Motivational Interviewing

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