Show Your Impact at Work: Try the C.A.R.E. Model

How do you show that you made a difference in your job?  That’s what I call the “so what” of your performance or your program’s impact.

Whether it’s a promotion package, project summary, job interview or resume – it’s all the same with tweaks for length and depth.

A simple framework is C-A-R-E – Context, Action, Results and Effect.

Context:  What was the situation?  Why was it important to address?  How did it affect you, your team or organization?

Action:  How did you approach the situation?  What steps did you do to make a difference?

Results:  What happened because of your actions?  What measurable or visible outcomes did you achieve?

Effect:  So what?  Why did it matter?  What was the impact beyond the immediate results?

For example:

African American entrepreneurs in Northern Virginia were traveling to Maryland and DC every week for programs and services that specifically supported Black-owned businesses. These resources simply weren’t widely available in the region.

To address that gap, I partnered with business associates to co-found the Northern Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce. Within the first five years, we built a membership of nearly 100 businesses; developed a strong, dependable voice for the region’s Black-owned business community, and hosted more than 25 trainings and events annually.

Our efforts helped expand opportunities for minority-owned businesses and forged lasting partnerships with public leaders and community organizations.  Seventeen years later, the Chamber remains a thriving organization — a testament to the power of collaboration and community leadership.

What are some of the ways you show impact?  Reach out for a free 20-minute Discovery Call if you’d like to explore how I might help you communicate your impact more effectively.