The world of work is being bludgeoned by multiple blows, some swinging from the past, others relatively recent. A prophetic voice from several decades ago, Alvin Toffler, author of Future Shock and The Third Wave describes at length in the latter how three waves, namely agrarian, industrialisation and computing, have been colliding in society over several decades. For the West, the impact has been relatively linear, and development more phased, but for what is called the Global South today, the intersections have been much more simultaneous, sometimes fruitful, often bringing socio-economic dissonance and disruption. In recent memory, the pandemic laid bare existing fault lines, especially in the way we work. It has compelled organisations to confront how a workforce which has so enjoyed the contentment of remote work is reluctant to come back to the office and, if pushed, is happy to explore freelance contracts and embrace being a digital nomad. A DISRUPTED WORLD Geopolitical disruptions, aggravated by conflicts whether military, ideological or trade, have led to constant supply chain disruptions, creating a nightmare for everyone, be it giant conglomerates, small and medium businesses, or farmers and fishers. Migration driven by the need to survive conflict and poverty, and mobility driven by the marriage of talent and opportunity, are leading to a whole new set of immigration laws, perceived to be restrictive or protective depending on your point-of-view, or point of origin. Let us not forget technology is evolving in a blur, aided and abetted by the last of the three waves described by Toffler. Computing today has evolved from the days of Alan Turing, through to the huge machines built by IBM, all the way to its latest avatar, AI, prophesied to be more like the scary Hulk than the benign being in which he resides, Dr Bruce Banner. Last but not least, as investors demand predictable and continuously higher returns, employees are checking out due to burnout. Gen Z are rightly prioritising the boundaries of wellbeing, of both self and the planet. How then, do we prepare ourselves to navigate the word of work? BE ACCOUNTABLE TO YOUR SELF One begins by becoming the CEO of one’s career! You may feel a bit too young for that. Well, it is always the youth who conquer… Alexander had wrapped up his global conquests by 32; Chopin left behind an unmatched legacy at 39. This concept came to me during a brainstorming chat with Lancaster University Management School Careers Team ahead of a conversation with students, and it is one that has grown as I have considered it. Some of its origins also lie in the leadership work I did for Group Danone in Türkiye. Participants were asked how, if they did not hold themselves accountable for their own careers and destiny, would they guide their teams’ career aspirations, and be the custodians of the assets and results of the organisations they worked for? The first thing smart CEOs do is Assess Reality. The reality we face is that work is permanent, jobs are transient – gone are the days when a person joined an organisation and spent 10-15 years there, much less a lifetime. Today, even if one wishes to build a long-term career, its likelihood is unpredictable. Second, like a resilient CEO, be Selfreliant. Do not expect your manager, HR, or any other well-wisher to look out, put in a good word or create an opening for you. If they do, wow! Be grateful. But do not count on it, and much less do not be frustrated and disappointed if no-one backs you. A young fashion designer I know had a trial by fire when she changed her job, from one country to another in Europe. From structure to chaos, from mangers who supported to managers who loaded her plate with work and more work, and “no appreciation, support or encouragement, in fact asking me to do more and better, and how unfair is that…” she cries out. It is, but in today’s world, one may have to handhold not only one’s team but also one’s manager – and oneself. LOOKING OUTWARDS AND WITHIN Third, if you wish to grow and thrive, then you must Anticipate. Tune into where the world of business is moving, listen to podcasts, read, and most importantly follow those at the cutting edge of their work, technology, fashion, genetics, economics. All of it is intertwined and ripple effects from one domain turn into shock waves in another, e.g. blockchains, AI, biotechnology. Tuning in consistently will help you anticipate where your next opportunity lies. Fourth, Match your Intent with those you work with or intend to work with. Do the people around you and the organisation at large value the same things? If you are candid and assertive, are you encouraged or put down? If you are hungry for growth, does your manager emphasise career conversations or focus on deadlines? 36 |
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