What Growth Markers Mean #
At The Land Collective, growth looks different for everyone. Some people gain confidence to speak in professional spaces, others begin to see their potential in a new light. Growth markers help us recognise that progress. They’re the personal indicators of change that take place through mentoring.
We use growth markers because they keep the experience purposeful. They help mentors and mentees see how development is unfolding, not just what has been achieved. Each one reflects a small step forward in understanding, confidence, or self-belief.
Why They Matter #
Mentoring works best when it has direction. Growth markers give shape to that direction, helping both people understand what’s shifting beneath the surface. They keep conversations grounded in real progress rather than abstract goals and make it easier to see how confidence, clarity, and self-awareness build over time.
What Growth Markers Can Represent #
Growth markers can sit across a few key areas. They don’t all need to be career-focused; some will be personal, others practical.
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Understanding – building awareness of the sector, your interests, and the routes that connect them.
Example: “I want to understand how planning, development, and construction link together.” -
Confidence – becoming more comfortable expressing your ideas and opinions.
Example: “I want to feel confident introducing myself at networking events.” -
Communication – strengthening how you express yourself, both professionally and personally.
Example: “I want to be able to describe my skills clearly in an interview.” -
Mindset & Resilience – learning to stay steady when things don’t go as planned.
Example: “I want to manage self-doubt more effectively and stay focused on solutions.” -
Connection – expanding how you build and sustain professional relationships.
Example: “I want to connect with two professionals working in roles I’m curious about.”
How to Define Your Growth Markers #
When you think about your own markers, start with reflection.
Ask yourself:
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What do I want to understand, practise, or feel differently by the end of this programme?
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Where do I currently feel less confident?
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What would improvement look like in a real situation?
Your mentor can help you explore your answers and translate them into something specific to focus on during your time together.
Example Growth Markers in Action #
| Focus Area | Growth Marker | Signs of Progress |
|---|---|---|
| Confidence | Speak up more in group discussions. | Contribute ideas at least once per meeting and prepare thoughts in advance. |
| Sector Understanding | Learn how sustainability and ESG fit within property roles. | Explain it clearly in conversation or interviews. |
| Communication | Develop stronger storytelling when describing experiences. | Speak more naturally and confidently when reflecting on work or studies. |
| Mindset | Manage self-doubt constructively. | Approach challenges with curiosity and perspective rather than avoidance. |
These examples are starting points. Everyone’s journey will look different, and your growth markers can evolve as your confidence and goals develop.
Tracking Your Growth #
After each session, take a moment to note what’s changed. It might be a new insight, a shift in confidence, or a small action you took after your last conversation. These reflections make your progress visible and remind you that growth often happens quietly before it’s noticeable to others.
At the End of the Programme #
As the pilot closes, return to your growth markers and review what has shifted.
Ask:
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What am I doing differently now?
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What new strengths have emerged?
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What am I ready to build on next?
The purpose of these reflections is not to measure success in the traditional sense, but to capture the learning and growth that has taken place.
