The Byrning Platform

A Pattern of Practice Emerges

In studying the ample examples where my career was going wrong, a Pattern of Practice emerged that began to help things go right:

1. I learned to start with a Willingness to Observe the actions and behaviors of myself and others.
2. Develop the Patience to Reflect on how behavioral differences drive disparate outcomes.
3. Gather the Courage to Apply learned behaviors and leap toward new experiences.

I’ve come to believe that, more than any degree, network connection, or experience, the Pattern of Practice above offers the greatest opportunity for individual insight and growth. The Pattern creates a flywheel of inevitable results, both small and large, if we are disciplined in its application.

When we deploy The Pattern in an office environment laden with influential leaders and ripe with opportunities for growth, we write our own Office Playbook for Personal Development. The pattern gives us the power to change.

Personal Reflections on the Pattern of Practice

For me, the Pattern of Practice has changed the way I look at leaders and problems in the workplace. I started to Observe what specific behaviors differentiated top talent from the rest, created space to Reflect on my own approach, and identified opportunities to Apply newly learned behaviors.

With the help of caring mentors, The Pattern led to insightful conversations, practical applications, and an approachable method I could apply even when I lacked natural ability. There is a distinct positive correlation between career trajectory and personal growth. If we are willing to face our failures, observe how others overcome the same challenges, reflect on how we can show up differently, and then apply intentional changes regularly, we will grow as people and professionals. (I know I have.)

This practice of observation, reflection, and application is the soil on which the Byrning Platform is built. At its foundation, the Byrning Platform is the simple belief that success is a symptom of repeated effort to intentionally improve as a leader.

Building a Byrning Platform

Professional success is the result of leadership across three columns of change (Personal, Thought & Project) that together create a platform for courageous leaps in achievement. To climb the platform we must grow as leaders and take intentional steps to build our careers by harvesting feedback, creating personal development plans (or what I call a Career Sightline), building a generous network, finding caring mentors & advocates, sharing aspirations, and taking courageous leaps.

In our next article, I’ll introduce the Byrning Platform as a model for leadership philosophies and career practices that have been shared with me. We’ll then dive deeper into each of the columns of Project, Thought, and Personal Leadership with examples and anecdotes from leaders I’ve had the honor to learn from. Afterward, we’ll pivot into the practical steps each of us can take to climb the platform toward opportunities for courageous career leaps.

Recall, the motivation behind the Byrning Platform series is a desire to share office wisdom and generate opportunities for Black and underrepresented Americans to partake in the office experience. It is my hope that the stories, lessons, and learnings comprising the Byrning Platform create an Office Playbook for Personal Development that engenders equal office access for all.

With each article, I’ll publish a tool or tip sheet designed to help anyone facing career challenges. YOUR continued critical feedback, personal anecdotes, and practical applications all help improve the content. Please continue to send your thoughts on how we can apply the material and make a difference. Thanks for being on the platform – now let’s take the leap.