The 4 T's of Career Growth

Over the last few years, I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside young men at my church as they navigate the winding, sometimes confusing path of building a meaningful career. Through these conversations, a simple framework has emerged — not perfect, but powerful. I call it The 4 T’s: Talent, Training, Time, and Tribe.

Each of these elements plays a vital role in how we grow, where we invest, and what we ultimately reap from the 40+ hours a week we devote to our work.

Let me break it down:

1. Talent

We are all born with unique gifts — natural inclinations, instincts, and raw potential. I believe these talents are God-given (1 Peter 4:10-11), and that we are called to steward them well. The Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25 has always struck a chord with me: the ones who multiplied their talents were honored, while the one who buried his out of fear was rebuked.

Talent is the starting point, not the destination. It’s what you’ve been entrusted with — but you still have to decide what to do with it. Faithfully deploying these talents is the key.

Ask yourself: What am I naturally good at? What comes easy to me that others might find difficult?

2. Training

Talent alone isn’t enough. Training is how we take raw talent and turn it into mastery. It’s the intentional, often uncomfortable, ongoing process of learning, stretching, applying, and growing.

Training looks like:

• Putting in reps when no one is watching.
• Reading, listening, observing, failing.
• Seeking out mentors, coaches, or coursework.
• Staying humble and coachable, even when we think we’ve “arrived.”

Growth comes when we push the boundaries of our comfort and invest in sharpening the tools we've been given, accumulating the skills that best positions us to add value.

3. Time

Time is our most limited resource — and also the great equalizer. Everyone gets 24 hours a day, and how you use yours determines much of what you’ll get out of your work.

The equation is often simple: more time invested = more return. If you’re an hourly worker, you can increase your income by increasing your hours (within reason). If you’re salaried, the time you choose to invest in growing your skills, taking on projects, and learning your industry still pays dividends.

But time isn’t just about volume — it’s also about priority. Where are you focusing your time? Are you giving time to the things that move the needle, or just staying busy? What other areas of your life require time, outside of work (marriage, kids, church, hobbies, etc)?

4. Tribe

This is the piece many people underestimate. Your Tribe is your network, your community, the people who observe, support, and sometimes open doors for you — even when you don’t realize it. I've shared with my 4 teenage children that "you are always being interviewed."

In fact, up to 85% of jobs are filled through networking (not job boards). That means your next opportunity probably lives in your Tribe — a friend, former colleague, a mentor, someone you met at an event or even online.

Are you investing in your Tribe? Are you building meaningful relationships, not just transactional ones? Are you visible in your community, helpful to others, and available when needed?

"Faithful in little, faithful in much"... or stated another way, "How you do anything is how you do everything." Your Tribe is watching and taking notes.

Together, the 4 T’s give you handles to think about your career in a more intentional, holistic way.

• Talent: What have I been given?
• Training: What am I doing to grow it?
• Time: Where am I investing my hours?
• Tribe: Who am I walking with and showing up for?

This framework isn’t perfect, but it’s helped people I care about see their path more clearly — and pursue it more boldly.

If you’re early in your career, or feeling stuck mid-stream, I encourage you to spend a few some time reflecting on these four. In light of reflection, what action do you need to take in your current career OR steps to advance a new one.

Let’s make the most of what we’ve been given.