There’s Never Been a Better Time to Stay Put
It’s clear we’re in a very tough job market. Layoffs in many corners, salary compression, uncertainty with our government and the effects of AI on jobs.
In my profession, guiding clients through the process of understanding and communicating their value and finding the right career and role, there is a lot of head scratching. Trying to find the best way to advise clients, I’ve hit upon a general message that I believe works for most employed people: Now is the time to invest in your career development and professional growth. Now is the time to go through an intentional process of identifying your best path within your organization so you can keep growing and improving in your chosen area. Now is also the time to skill up in other areas of interest so you can pivot when the time is right.
What Might That Look Like?
A client of mine worked at a big bank in product management. But the team and product she worked on were for internal use and too far from the customer experience, making her question whether being a PM was really the right path for her. Following a process to determine her specific value and interests both within her role and outside, she found another team doing work that was customer facing and more appealing to her and successfully petitioned her boss for a lateral move to that team. Plus, her new role provided a salary bump. She is now feeling more fulfilled and re-energized about becoming a product lead in the long term.
Another client is looking to leverage her sustainability expertise in a role in risk management that utilizes her background in staying abreast of regulatory frameworks, both as they pertain to the environment and beyond. She has been pitching herself to the risk management team and has a couple of projects under her belt that will help her when the right risk management role at the company comes up.
Skills That Are AI-Agnostic
There are so many skills that will profoundly impact your career growth that have nothing to do with AI. Many young professionals lack executive presence and the maturity and self-awareness required for effective peer coaching, to name two examples. A recent WSJ article discusses the importance of “AI-proofing” your career by learning and practicing critical thinking. In a major pendulum shift, companies are seeking liberal arts majors who can be deployed in a lot of different areas where thinking and knowing how to learn are humans’ secret sauce.
If you’re looking for ways to continue your growth while staying at your company, we have lots of ideas. For one thing, I’m launching Success Lab, an 8-week, in-person, small-group coaching program for early-career, employed professionals that I’m co-leading this fall with leadership consultant and executive coach Vanessa Hicks. Our program, taught in a cohort of 10 people on Tuesday nights from 7-9pm, will be meeting once a week and will focus on designing a career plan, understanding and amplifying your ROI, learning new leadership development concepts, and practicing peer coaching. For more information and to get in touch, contact us here.