Development of Mid-level Practitioners

The "Development of Mid-Level ADR Practitioners" session on June 12, 2009 at the Annual ACR Environment and Public Policy (EPP) Section Conference in Denver, CO offered a chance for mid-level and senior practitioners to share lessons learned about pursuing one's own professional development in our field. In large and small group discussions, participants generated a set of practical ideas and strategies that mid-level ADR practitioners can apply to further their growth and development in the EPP arena.

The group also brainstormed ways to sustain networking and create future opportunities for shared learning among mid-level practitioners. On behalf of all participants, I hope mid-level and senior practitioners alike find the following nuggets of wisdom useful.

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Take responsibility for your own professional development

• Develop professional development goals and share and track them with your supervisor
• Take/show initiative and be intentional
• Create, ask for and/or take advantage of opportunities for professional development and growth - make yourself available when they arise 
• Take risks and push/empower yourself to go beyond your professional "comfort zone" 
• Find opportunities to partner with peers within your organization and/or other organizations
• Debrief when you don't win a project to understand why others landed it, and improve your approach in the future
• Work to get on the U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution roster
• Have confidence in what you know and do as a mid-level practitioner
• Develop substantive expertise (courses, etc)
• Get broader experience (international)
• Highlight cultural competencies as an asset
• Utilize self-help resources to develop personal advancement strategies
• Be direct about your work/life balance needs

Identify ways to build knowledge, skills, project experience and overall credentials in partnership with senior practitioners

• Develop honest relationships with senior practitioners and peers - ask for candid feedback and constructive criticism
• Look for opportunities to take the lead on a project with a senior practitioner serving an advisory role
• Participate in project development or launch meetings - demonstrate the multi-level capacity of your organization
• Seniors introduce mid-level co-workers as "colleague"

Next steps for ongoing mid-level networking and learning

• Investigate ways to use web conferencing technology to connect the group
• Organize local networking gatherings or case study study discussion groups
• Write joint articles
• Post EPP Mentoring Workshop materials on Section website
• Organize a mid-level training session at 2010 EPP/ECR conference in Tucson
• Develop clear requests to section leadership about useful activities
• Connect with International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) and other related professional associations

Thanks go to the following EPP members for organizing and serving as panelists for the conference session: Jennifer Peyser, RESOLVE; Suzanne Orenstein, Independent Practitioner; Rob Williams, Meridian Institute; Morgan Poncelet, Kearns&West; Frank Dukes, UVA Institute for Environmental Negotiation; and Kathleen Docherty, U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution.