how hot cocoa moment got its start

In 2004, I held the position of General Manager at Pottery Barn Kids, situated in University Village, Seattle, Washington. During my tenure, I had the privilege of working alongside an outstanding associate named Liz, who consistently exhibited remarkable potential for professional growth. The question that arose was how Liz and I could effectively communicate this potential to upper management.

To initiate this process, I undertook the task of reviewing the job description for the first level of management, commonly known as the 'key holder.' In doing so, I meticulously highlighted all the responsibilities that Liz was already demonstrating effectively while also identifying areas where she had room for growth. Subsequently, I engaged in collaborative discussions with Liz, wherein we charted out a comprehensive three-month development plan aimed at aligning her skill set with her career goals.

Integral to our strategy was the implementation of weekly one-on-one meetings, providing a structured platform to monitor her progress and assess her mastery of the various initiatives she was diligently learning during this period. These deliberate efforts played a pivotal role in nurturing Liz's potential and setting her on a trajectory toward further success within the organization.