The business world is changing at an epic pace. Artificial intelligence is here to stay and technology is now doing jobs once held by human beings. How are employers coping? Many are having to retrain their workers in other capacities. According to the Wall Street Journal, 86 percent of companies surveyed offer professional development opportunities and 45 percent offer training to develop skills “not directly related” to an employee’s job.
If this scares you, it shouldn’t. When I present my keynote speech at events, I often say that I believe a skilled worker can be trained to do almost any job, whereas you can’t train for things like self-confidence, work ethic, and accountability. If your company is pushing you to spread your wings, learn new skills, and grow, be grateful. It means they believe in you and want you to stay on the team – for now.
Your job? Remain flexible, open to new opportunities, and if there is an area of the company that you have always wanted to work in, speak up. Leaders are not mind readers. If they ask you to develop skills for a job that is not of interest to you, let them know, and share a job that is of interest to you, to ensure your next role is in an area that you are passionate about.
WHAT CAN I DO? Be proactive. Regardless of where you sit in the organization, have a conversation with your manager about the skills the organization deems necessary for the near future, and work hard to gain those skills. In addition to making you look good, this will enable you to learn critical skills that your organization needs, and more easily transition into a new role. Re-inventing yourself can either be a chore or a thrill. I did it five years ago and am now living my best life travelling the world helping organizations succeed. Make your re-invention just as exhilarating!
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