Page 28 - The Interconnected Individual: Seizing Opportunity in the Era of AI, Platforms, Apps, and Global Exchanges

HOw TO NAVIgATE YOUR CAREER 71

Flexibility and ability to pivot come more easily when you master
something, and you have autonomy because you can work anywhere for
anyone. If you know account management and project management, you
have a better opportunity to fit in almost immediately in many teams,
because most work now is on projects. Most projects need to be handled
like accounts. While your title may not be account manager or project
manager, knowing what those skills are and how to do those jobs help
you become a valued team member. Recognize that going off on tangents
or creating extra work that does not get your project where it needs to
go are a negative. Complicating rather than simplifying is not valuable.
Simplifying the complex is.
In summary, focus your game plan on these things in order to be
a good team member: lifelong learning; being able to read and send
nonverbal and verbal communication signals; and critical thinking,
writing and speaking, and being flexible and able to pivot.

How Do Others Perceive You?

Some of the most important questions are: How do others experience
me? How do I interpret others? Because how you show up and how you
interpret or maybe misinterpret what is going on will be instrumental
to determine what is going to happen for you and what is going to
happen to you.
If you have curiosity, if you ask questions that are legitimate questions
because you are really curious, particularly, if you are curious about what
somebody else has done, you will be endeared to that person. Asking
good questions is really important.
Develop a genuine interest in people and have a desire to serve and
help others. If you can combine those elements in a single purpose, then
you will be successful even if the external marketplace changes, and it will.

New Directions for Careers

Thomas Frey has developed 162 new job categories that are continually
evolving and new ones are emerging. Consider some of these hot new
skills and how they can be applied to you as you navigate your career.