Written by Craig A. Coffey, Founder & President
Way Maker Leadership LLC
“May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears.” Nelson Mandela
For decades, many of us were taught to choose a career with a singular focus and pursue it relentlessly. It served as reliable advice under ordinary circumstances and provided structure, consistency, and predictability in our careers. But these are extraordinary times, and that historical advice may have outlived its relevance in the context of today’s global pandemic, high unemployment rates, and economic headwinds. The impact of Covid-19 is accelerating the need for many to move off of a “career path” and embrace a “career journey.”
Let’s start with a basic definition of each one.
Career Path is a linear route a professional takes from their first foray into the job market to their final position before retirement. It typically aligns with one function or discipline. Often specialized training and development play a significant role in future opportunities that fit a narrow and specific design.
Career Journey is a portfolio of assignments that might span functional areas or disciplines. At times it might require lateral assignments. It could even encompass different industries. All the while building an array of skills applicable to the roles attained. A willingness to consider a variety of opportunities far & wide from any specific expertise.
The impact of Covid-19 has obviously changed all of our lives in very personal ways. We think differently about caring for ourselves, loved ones, and even strangers. We are more mindful of where we go, what we buy, how much we buy, and how we are willing to do any of those things in the spirit of safety and convenience.
This new consumer behavior is fundamentally changing business on a massive scale. In short, Covid-19 is forcing businesses to reimagine revenue models, customer service, and access channels to meet these new consumer demands. These changes last for years to come, and what is extraordinary now will become ordinary in our future. To meet the changing environment (and in some cases even survive), companies are retooling and reinventing almost every facet of what they do and how they do it. It will take innovative ideas, new strategies, operational excellence, logistical nimbleness, financial investments to deliver where companies need to go. But, here is the good news… this is leading to amazing new career opportunities that were unimaginable before.
Here are five things you can focus on today to be seen as a legitimate candidate for a “career journey” move in your company. I’ve also added a few questions in each area to consider.
5 Critical Competencies for a Career Journey
To have a successful career journey, you should demonstrate:
- Capability: In my conversations with senior leaders, they are presently trying to identify the best and brightest in the company. Many C-suites leaders are familiar with the top talent in the upper ranks, but these are challenging times that require “All-Stars” from every corner of the organization. First, demonstrate that you are capable in your current role. It will be unrealistic to think you are a candidate to do something new, high profile, game-changing, and pressure-packed if you are not capable and accomplished in your current duties. How have you demonstrated that you are a strong contributor in your current role? What would peers or leaders say about your work ethic? How can you show concrete and quantifiable results that support the broader business? Are you the “go-to person” when your peers, boss (or their boss) has a question or needs a solution?
- Critical Thinking: Because we are in unprecedented times, companies are looking for team members who can solve problems and simply “figure stuff out.” Critical thinking is an essential skill in the best of times. Today, this skill will quickly separate the great from the good performers. How can you show you have a natural curiosity? Are you able to think independently even if it collides with the status quo? How do you engage in the inquiry process to discover what is next, or do you simply wait to be told what to do? Can you process and interpret information to make informed decisions or build concrete actions?
- Coachability: Being redeployed into a new role will undoubtedly mean, at times, you may feel uncomfortable as you leverage your existing skillset in a new situation while also learning new things. Simply stated, this means “being comfortable with being uncomfortable.” How can you exhibit the ability to be a quick study of new information? Do you enthusiastically learn from others? When coworkers are ambivalent about new responsibilities, can you show an attitude of ambition? Do you have the humility to embrace feedback as you build new skills?
- Connecting: As companies quickly try to reimagine themselves, their current bureaucracy or processes will become outdated or a deterrent to getting things done quickly. One senior leader recently commented that two functional groups that historically never had much interaction are now working side-by-side in this new CV-19 era. How are you a collaborator? Are you an active participant on teams? How have you fostered strong, positive working relationships beyond your team or department? Do you respect and seek out a diversity of perspectives?
- Creativity: A combination of experience, expertise and enthusiasm can help one see opportunities or concepts in a different light which often leads to innovation. Creativity is not always a new invention. Creativity can show up in rethinking what or how data is measured, uncovering a new insight, reframing a problem as an opportunity, refining a process or even asking a simple question like “why do we do it that way?”. How do you make mental connections and transfer learning from one situation to another? Are you comfortable with ambiguity? Are you willing to challenge the status quo? Can you explore possibilities without judgement? Are you comfortable speaking in terms of “what if…”?
In closing, Q2 of 2020 our U.S. economy suffered its worst decline ever, with GDP falling a historic 32.9%. In just 19 weeks, nearly 54 million Americans have filed for unemployment insurance — that's more than the number of claims filed during the Great Recession. As companies search for answers and move further into layoffs & furloughs, they are also searching for adaptable, active learners who can bring fresh energy and solutions. This is a time for you to be a positive “difference maker” for your employer and at the same time enhance your value and strengthen your employment standing. Bringing these five competencies of a “career journey” can set you apart from everyone else and help you realize new opportunities.
If you found this article valuable, please share with your network to help peers and friends take control of their careers.
What other competencies do you believe it takes to embrace a “career journey”?
