Introduction
Change, in the context of this blog, is defined as an act or process through which something becomes different.
Why ‘in the context of this blog’ you ask? Well change can also refer to coins as opposed to banknotes, but like I said, that is not related to this blog post.
So, onto making things different – we’ll have to drill down a bit further because this definition is also somewhat broad.
This blog deals with our changing work landscape and the types of changes we may need to be making in our own companies as well as individuals in order to stay relevant in this age of digitalization.
Background
A man born in 1955, in the United Kingdom, was responsible for one of the most significant changes to modern living. Sir Timothy John Berners-Lee is known as the inventor of the internet caused a major shift in the way we work and live.
This fundamental change has opened the door to so many endless possibilities that we are forced into a new way of doing things. Every industry has been disrupted, whether automotive (driverless vehicles), banking (crypto currencies), medical (devices), not to mention the way in which data is reshaping the way we approach decision making.
For us to continue doing things the way we’ve always done them would be futile – we have to keep with the times and forge our own futures.
So what’s changing and why do I need to consider change?
Technology is advancing at such a rapid rate that many of the careers of today will have been taken over by artificial intelligence within the next few decades. That’s it in a nutshell.
So, how do I start training for a ‘future job’ and what sort of jobs will these be?
Well since I don’t have a crystal ball, I can’t answer those questions, but there is a good premise from which to work in order to prepare yourself for the coming change.
According to Daniel Pink, author of ‘A Whole New Mind’ “The last few decades have belonged to a certain kind of person with a certain kind of mind – computer programmers who could crank code, lawyers who could craft contracts, MBAs who could crunch numbers. But the keys to the kingdom are changing hands. The future belongs to a very different kind of person with a very different kind of mind – creators and empathisers, pattern recognisers, and meaning makers. These people – artists, inventors, designers, storytellers, caregivers, consolers, big picture thinkers – will all now reap society’s richest rewards and share its greatest joys.”
So, the basic idea is that left-brained skillsets – the more analytical type skills can be taken over by bots, however, creativity, or right-brained skillsets requires human intervention. Daniel Pink believes that the future belongs to the creatives.
OK – I get it, how do I go about it?
Some people find the prospect of change exhilarating, but for most, change is frightening. For the lazy, change is an effort. However, just like death and taxes, change is inevitable and if you want to be successful, you need to learn to embrace change. Here are some tips to getting it right.
Have a plan
The kind of change we are talking about is not a quick, overnight change. It’s the kind of change that will require time and effort, and therefore requires a plan that can be broken into smaller steps.
For those who crave control, and who may feel stripped of control when change occurs, this will certainly go a long way to regaining a sense of control.
Accept the bumps and kinks along the way, enjoy the detours
You will be navigating unchartered waters and will not be able to anticipate every small obstacle that comes your way. Having a plan outlining the bigger picture will keep you from veering off your course.
Going backwards may be a necessity
Sometimes we need to take a step (or more) backwards in order to move forwards. It’s a simple fact of life, but we need to be aware of it so that we don’t perceive these steps backwards a failure, but rather as a necessity to propel us forwards.
Address your fear factor
Fear plays an incredibly big role in change. Firstly, if we are trying something new, then fear of the unknown comes in to play. Secondly, we may be afraid of failure – what if I don’t get it right? Sometimes, failure could have consequences linked to lack of income and loss of livelihood, however, most of the time our fear is driven by our ego. That little part of us that is wondering what others will think if we fail.
Keep your expectations in check. Always remember that the change you are making is ultimately for your own personal growth that will hopefully then positively impact your bottom line (which will be different things for different people….financial, family life, lifestyle etc.
Doing things to impress others is never a good enough reason.
Learn from setbacks
We’ve all read about failing forward and we know most of the principles, but it can be incredibly difficult to take setbacks or failure in your stride. We all have our own personal ways of dealing with disappointment, and we are not here to remould your personality. All we hope to get across is that you use your failures to learn and to try not to repeat. Most importantly, never let failure stop you from trying.
Sources:
Related Reading:
Leadership Tips For The Fourth Industrial Revolution
Introduction
Why ‘in the context of this blog’ you ask? Well change can also refer to coins as opposed to banknotes, but like I said, that is not related to this blog post.
So, onto making things different – we’ll have to drill down a bit further because this definition is also somewhat broad.
This blog deals with our changing work landscape and the types of changes we may need to be making in our own companies as well as individuals in order to stay relevant in this age of digitalization.
Background
A man born in 1955, in the United Kingdom, was responsible for one of the most significant changes to modern living. Sir Timothy John Berners-Lee is known as the inventor of the internet caused a major shift in the way we work and live.
This fundamental change has opened the door to so many endless possibilities that we are forced into a new way of doing things. Every industry has been disrupted, whether automotive (driverless vehicles), banking (crypto currencies), medical (devices), not to mention the way in which data is reshaping the way we approach decision making.
For us to continue doing things the way we’ve always done them would be futile – we have to keep with the times and forge our own futures.
So what’s changing and why do I need to consider change?
Technology is advancing at such a rapid rate that many of the careers of today will have been taken over by artificial intelligence within the next few decades. That’s it in a nutshell.
So, how do I start training for a ‘future job’ and what sort of jobs will these be?
Well since I don’t have a crystal ball, I can’t answer those questions, but there is a good premise from which to work in order to prepare yourself for the coming change.
According to Daniel Pink, author of ‘A Whole New Mind’ “The last few decades have belonged to a certain kind of person with a certain kind of mind – computer programmers who could crank code, lawyers who could craft contracts, MBAs who could crunch numbers. But the keys to the kingdom are changing hands. The future belongs to a very different kind of person with a very different kind of mind – creators and empathisers, pattern recognisers, and meaning makers. These people – artists, inventors, designers, storytellers, caregivers, consolers, big picture thinkers – will all now reap society’s richest rewards and share its greatest joys.”
So, the basic idea is that left-brained skillsets – the more analytical type skills can be taken over by bots, however, creativity, or right-brained skillsets requires human intervention. Daniel Pink believes that the future belongs to the creatives.
OK – I get it, how do I go about it?
Some people find the prospect of change exhilarating, but for most, change is frightening. For the lazy, change is an effort. However, just like death and taxes, change is inevitable and if you want to be successful, you need to learn to embrace change. Here are some tips to getting it right.
Have a plan
The kind of change we are talking about is not a quick, overnight change. It’s the kind of change that will require time and effort, and therefore requires a plan that can be broken into smaller steps.
For those who crave control, and who may feel stripped of control when change occurs, this will certainly go a long way to regaining a sense of control.
Accept the bumps and kinks along the way, enjoy the detours
You will be navigating unchartered waters and will not be able to anticipate every small obstacle that comes your way. Having a plan outlining the bigger picture will keep you from veering off your course.
Going backwards may be a necessity
Sometimes we need to take a step (or more) backwards in order to move forwards. It’s a simple fact of life, but we need to be aware of it so that we don’t perceive these steps backwards a failure, but rather as a necessity to propel us forwards.
Address your fear factor
Fear plays an incredibly big role in change. Firstly, if we are trying something new, then fear of the unknown comes in to play. Secondly, we may be afraid of failure – what if I don’t get it right? Sometimes, failure could have consequences linked to lack of income and loss of livelihood, however, most of the time our fear is driven by our ego. That little part of us that is wondering what others will think if we fail.
Keep your expectations in check. Always remember that the change you are making is ultimately for your own personal growth that will hopefully then positively impact your bottom line (which will be different things for different people….financial, family life, lifestyle etc.
Doing things to impress others is never a good enough reason.
Learn from setbacks
We’ve all read about failing forward and we know most of the principles, but it can be incredibly difficult to take setbacks or failure in your stride. We all have our own personal ways of dealing with disappointment, and we are not here to remould your personality. All we hope to get across is that you use your failures to learn and to try not to repeat. Most importantly, never let failure stop you from trying.
Sources:
Related Reading:
Leadership Tips For The Fourth Industrial Revolution