What is happening today?

• Technology continues to change the way we work at an ever-increasing pace.
• Robotics, artificial intelligence and automation threaten a spectrum of jobs, including those of highly skilled workers.
• Data-driven organizations and Wall Street expectations create a pressure cooker for hitting short-term numbers.
• Working for the same company your whole career is nearly unheard of, with average tenures down to around four years.
• Online job applications are used everywhere and the sheer number of applicants make it nearly impossible to stand out and get responses from those posting the jobs.
• The jobless recovery means employers figured out how to do more with less, putting pressure on employee productivity.
• That may help explain why employee burnout is getting worse.

We live in seemingly constant change, our workers are overwhelmed and forces are pushing us to work leaner while still meeting expectations.

I call this THE CHURN.

Pressure is pushing and pulling on us. Markets are being shaken. Stability and security are elusive.

If we are in a churn, then the cream will rise to the top. How do you rise in this churn?

1. Realize there’s no ladder to the top
   Rising to the top is no longer a linear progression. Experts no longer call it climbing the career ladder. Metaphors like the climbing wall, a jungle gym or a lattice are more accurate pictures of how individuals must now manage their career path. Like a climbing wall, getting where you want to go may require dropping down and/or moving laterally for your next job move. Market changes are pushing talent into different and new industries.
2. Identify your transferrable skills
   These are skills you learn in one industry that can help you in a new one. This article from The Muse gives a helpful formula for identifying your transferrable skills.
   As a [prior role], I [explain a responsibility], which taught me [transferable skills]. That’s a skill I would draw on from day one as a [new role].
3. Grow your leadership skills
   I mentioned stability and security are elusive. It’s the kind of environment that creates fear. Warren Buffet is quoted as saying, “Be fearful when others are greedy and greedy when others are fearful.” I’m not an advocate of greed, but I would translate this to, “Be courageous when others are fearful.” Adopting this mindset, then it’s a great time to grow and use your leadership skills.
   • Learn what you can from books and blogs.
   • Take a course or take multiple courses.
   • Take what you learn and apply them into daily habits.
   • Look for opportunities to experiment.
   • Propose and lead new projects.

The churn can be intimidating and start to grind you down. But someone is going to be the crème de la crème. It might as well be you.