Career is not a straight line

So much is changing. Interest rates, geopolitics, hybrid work, expectations of work/life balance. After so many years of continued specialization (yes, do one thing well), we are finding that we all need generalist skills too.

Swing like Tarzan

A consulting partner gave me this advice (hat tip: AG) when I asked him how to navigate my consulting career. At the time, I was staffed on the same project for a while and did not want to get pigeon-holed. Wanted to be a consulting generalist and experience different clients, industries, and functions. Was suffering FOMO.

Common dilemma

This is a common question for consultants or ambitious MBA types. Do you stick with your current strength / project, or stretch to a new area which may be more fun, have growth, but also be bit scary? My argument is that you can make incremental steps to get to that end goal.

Don’t let go of 1 vine, without having the next

Seems like sensible advice for any trapeze artists. No one likes to fall. Secure the new project, job, role, gig before letting go of the old one. Jon Acuff says basically the same thing in his book, Start (affiliate link), telling you to get 50% income from the side-hustle before leaving the existing job.

Pivot to the project you want

If you want to transition from 1 industry / function to another, don’t switch both at the same time. Pivot to your next project, DON’T JUMP. As an example, assume you are on a Telecom cost reduction project. If you want Financial Services strategy, then take an interim step. Go from 1 to 1.1 then 2. This means your next project should be Financial + Cost Reduction OR Telecom + Strategy. Change one variable, not both.

Plan ahead

Running with the Tarzan analogy, think 2-3 “swinging vines” ahead. We have little control of the medium term. You control what you are doing now (short-term) and where you want to go (long-term). Everything else is variable.  Do good work + know where you are heading.

Stay motivated

Let’s face it, doing the same thing over and over gets boring. If intellectual curiosity is the key to career success, we need to stay self-motivated. We need to find new ways to keep the fire going. Making smart tactical decisions does not mean selling out. Just be smart about getting to your end goal. Think deeply, then execute.

You are not stuck

This is all about career capital and momentum. Tell your manager what you want out of your career. Network with other departments. If you are good at what you do – the last thing the company wants if for you to be unhappy. Make a reputation for yourself as someone who pitches in, finds new work, and makes a difference. Don’t brood and sulk. Do.

Don’t be “overly clever”

Know what is good and helpful, then crush it. Focus on skills, networks, and do the work. If the company is growing, get on the rocket ship. If the company is just floating side-ways, find a breakout role and make the most of where you are. Like the Stephen Stills song, “Love the One Your are With.”

Strategic Flexibility

Finally, let’s remember what Peter Drucker said about setting yourself up for success:

“The question that faces the strategic decision maker is not ‘what his organization should do tomorrow.’ It is, ‘what do we have to do today to be ready for an uncertain tomorrow’?” — Peter Drucker

Of course, it depends

Where are you in your career.  Are you starting out – just graduated – and building a quiver of skills?  Are you mid-career and moving to an adjacent industry or a newish role?  Are you semi-retired and opening up the 3rd chapter of your life?  In all of those cases, do great work, AND be open-minded.

Keep going

Our careers are a series of S-curves. Keep forward momentum. Do great work, have fun. Move to the work you most want to do.