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Growth Performance
growthperformance.co.uk
Career Development Conversation Preparation Tool
Career Development Conversation Guide
A preparation template for having a focused, productive career conversation with your manager. Most career conversations fail because neither person is properly prepared.
How to use this: Complete sections 1–3 before the conversation. Complete sections 4–6 during or immediately after. Share relevant sections with your manager in advance if the relationship and context make that appropriate.
Section 1 — Before the Conversation
What I want to achieve from this conversation (be specific)
My ideal outcome (if the conversation goes as well as possible)
Where I am now (current role, how long, what's going well, what isn't)
Where I want to be (in 1 year and in 3 years — be as specific as possible)
My strongest contributions and what I am most proud of in the last 12 months
Section 2 — Their Perspective (Before the Conversation)
Thinking about your manager's likely perspective before the conversation helps you prepare for what they might raise and positions you as self-aware and thoughtful.
What I think my manager values most about my contribution
What they might see as my development areas or limitations
What constraints they might be working within (budget, headcount, structure)
Section 3 — What I Want to Raise
Development opportunities I want to discuss
1
2
3
My opening statement (how I will start the conversation)
The one thing I most need to hear their view on
Potential obstacles or objections I anticipate and how I will respond
Section 4 — Commitments (During/After the Conversation)
Commitment
Who owns it
By when
Section 5 — Reflection (After the Conversation)
What was agreed and what I am walking away with
What surprised me or what I want to think more about