6 Ways To Take Control Of Your Career If Your Company Can’t Be Bothered

We want to think that our bosses/companies care about us and our careers. They do, but not in the way you might enjoy them too. What do I mean by that? Look around you. The world is changing faster than most companies can keep pace.

Most companies provide the skills and experience needed to do your day job. Anything on top of that is now an extra.

In today’s world, YOU need to be responsible for your career. Ouch, I might hear you say. Yes, you heard right.

You can’t be in the passenger seat of your career in the 21st Century. Instead, learn to jump into the driving seat. It might feel overwhelming, but you’ll thrive if you job-craft your way to your next best stretch.

Here are six ways you can take control of your career:

1. Upskill Regularly
2. Networking
3. Personal Brand
4. Soft Skill Development
5. Play to Your Strengths
6. Passion Project

1. Upskill Continuously

As an Executive Coach, upskilling goes with my territory, but I appreciate it might not for others.

I see so many talented and competent people struggling to manage their careers. Why? They’re feeling the heat under the collar because the only constant in today’s fast-paced world of work is change and uncertainty. The fear associated with uncertainty is holding many back because they’re still using the old formula to excel. It doesn’t work anymore.

The old formula of getting excellent grades at good schools and attending a top university has been turned on. It’s no wonder that many feel overwhelmed and unsure of how to navigate these uncertain times.

2. Networking

Do you dread networking? I know many who do. Why? They’re going to dull and dreary events, forcing them to speak to a few people and then come away with a bunch of business cards. They’ll collect dust if you do nothing with those business cards.

Networking is one of these activities that many want to do, but it ends up being on the sidelines for maybe tomorrow. I hear a lot, ‘I know I should, but…..’

Networking becomes fun if you do it regularly versus ‘doing two hours networking’ one afternoon.

Instead, tear the rule book up, start building relationships online, and continue developing offline relationships. Building and maintaining relationships is an essential skill that AI cannot replace. How? Humans can empathise, understand nuances, and make connections that AI cannot replicate.

Enhance your active listening, communication, and negotiation skills to foster stronger relationships with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders. Remember, the networks you build today can be your greatest asset moving forward.

3. Personal Brand

Your career story is also your brand, and branding counts in the 21st Century. What do I mean by that? How many know your story? 50–100, maybe 500? Did you learn you could reach millions with the right online platform?

People buy people based on trust. An online presence, especially on LinkedIn, will enhance your brand and help you build trust with an audience who doesn’t know you.

Be Proud Of Your Online Brand. You don’t need to be an influencer or showbiz icon to think about your online presence. Anyone and everyone who has access to the internet can build a personal or professional brand. I believe it’s a great way to document your journey, especially if you’re aspiring for more visibility.

However, creating your online brand doesn’t happen by magic. Instead, you have to do your bit to craft your legacy because no one has a vested interest in your career than you. It is easy to get complacent, but in today’s world, you can be anything except complacent.

4. Soft Skill Development

Which Soft Skills Matter? Problem Solving. In an AI-driven world, problem-solving skills will be more crucial than ever. You benefit from your ability to analyse complex situations and find feasible solutions. This includes being able to think critically and make data-driven decisions, as well as other skills. Learn how to apply this knowledge in a real-world context to stay a step ahead in your career.

Emotional Intelligence is another one. Understanding and managing one’s own emotions and the feelings of others will be highly sought after in the AI-dominated workforce.

Cultivate your skills in empathy, self-awareness, and emotional regulation. Being adept at navigating complex human emotions will set you apart in a world where technical tasks are delegated to machines.

5. Play To Your Strengths

When each day falls into a pattern or a routine, it’s easy to slip into the status quo and start drifting. It’s straightforward to do when you don’t set stretch goals. Change can be too much to handle when it feels cosy or comfortable.

Discover Your True Strengths.. We all know our strengths, but do we truly understand them? You can navigate challenges more effectively when you are deeply aware of your strengths. You’ll learn how to transition from one strength to another seamlessly.

Here’s a little exercise for you:

• Strength 1:
• Strength 2:
• Strength 3:
• Strength 4:
• Strength 5:

6. Passion Project

Do you have a passion project? Take a leaf from Google’s book and spend 20% of your time on innovation. You don’t need to be working on Google-type projects; it could be something you’re very passionate about.

Sitting in on projects that interest you may also be an excellent way to craft a job. You may not be directly involved with the responsibilities, but it will give you a taste of what’s on offer. I’ve done it a few times and found ‘sitting in’ insightful.

What happens if the boss says no to your passion project? If your boss won’t let you do it on your own time. Really? Yes, maybe you have a hobby or volunteering gig. If yes, learn new skills through it. You will learn and apply the transferable skills to your day job, thus helping you excel and shift gears when needed.

Parting Comments

Instead of feeling despondent or overwhelmed if your boss/Company doesn’t take much interest in your long-term career. Instead, use the opportunity and be prepare to adapt and evolve.

If you focus on honing the above 6 Points, you will future-proof your career and thrive in the next chapter of the global workforce. Remember, the future is not something to fear but a landscape of potential to shape and seize.

The grass isn’t necessarily greener elsewhere. You may find that watering your patch may lead to better and bigger opportunities.

Thank you for your attention.

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Pervin

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