At the recent New England Area Conference (NEAC), I had the pleasure of attending a session led by Lisa Crockett from URfriendinHR. The session was titled “SNAK 2.0: Grow, Adapt, and Thrive.” I enjoyed the heck out of it.
This wasn’t just another talk about professional development. It delivered a clear, actionable framework that made total sense: SNAK, which stands for:
- Skills
- Network
- Activities
- Knowledge
It was one of those “click” moments where everything just fell into place.
Why the SNAK Framework Resonated
As someone who’s passionate about continuous improvement—both personally and professionally—the SNAK model stood out because of its intentionality. It helps you pause, reflect, and assess what might be missing in your journey toward growth.
Lisa emphasized balance. If you’re leveling up in each area (skills, network, activities, and knowledge), you’re more likely to stay on track, adapt, and thrive in a changing world.
She also made it interactive. We weren’t just listening; we were reflecting, listing, and mapping out our current goals.
Breaking Down My Personal SNAK
🛠️ Skills – What I’m Building
Professional:
- AI automation, especially with tools like Zapier
- Improving my writing process
- Enhancing my consulting capabilities
Personal:
- Dutch language fluency
- Practicing magic more seriously
- Learning how to play the guitar
🤝 Network – Who I’m Connected To
Lisa had us map our networks, which was a valuable exercise. Here’s what mine looks like:
- Volunteer organizations: Civil Air Patrol (CAP), ATD (though winding down)
- Professional roles: Dean College and my consulting work
- Author & magic circles: From book writing to performing arts
- Social media: Especially LinkedIn—it’s where a lot of the magic happens
🎯 Activities – What I’m Doing to Level Up
- Attending networking events
- Taking LinkedIn Learning courses
- Watching YouTube tutorials, particularly around automation
- Reading deeply and writing consistently
Each activity ties back to my development goals—nothing random, all purposeful.
📘 Knowledge – What I’m Learning
- Fiction writing (to improve storytelling)
- AI and automation (especially in business and education)
- Consulting best practices (to deliver more value to clients)
It’s about being intentional—not just absorbing content, but ensuring it aligns with my long-term goals.
Bringing It All Together: My Action Plan
At the end of the session, we were asked to set short-term goals. Here’s mine:
- Skills: Master Zapier and automation tools
- Network: Focus on local connections, like the Chamber of Commerce
- Activities: Use LinkedIn Learning and YouTube to level up technical know-how
- Knowledge: Learn to automate my email and calendar using generative AI
This isn’t a wish list—it’s a roadmap.
Final Thoughts: Why SNAK Matters
Lisa’s session reminded me that professional development isn’t a passive activity. It’s about designing your path with intention—checking in on your skills, growing your network, choosing meaningful activities, and expanding your knowledge.
And most importantly? It’s about doing all of this consistently.
I’m grateful for sessions like this, not just because of the content, but because of the people I get to meet and connect with—especially those I’ve followed on LinkedIn and finally met in person.
So, what’s in your SNAK?
