8 Global Trends that are Influencing You and Your Career Choices
On the outside, it might look like you have it all – a good job, a good salary, a good house, good friends, good relationships, a good life – but deep down you’re wondering, ‘Is this it? I’ve got twenty to thirty years more in my career and I know I can make a bigger impact than this.’
First off, you are not alone!
I sit across the table or screen and speak to rooms full of executives and professionals every day who feel just the same.
And it’s not your fault. The world and the world of work are changing, and that brings so many doubts and uncertainties with it, which can be paralysing!
Global Trends in the New World of Work
You’ve heard all the statistics a thousand times before; you are bombarded with ‘the robots are coming,’ ‘the current crisis is causing a decade ahead of more unemployment and underemployment, the deepest economic downturn since the Great Depression, largest budget deficits in seventy years, an economic recession and likely global depression.’ The statistics and studies today will be out of date tomorrow, as they change daily and hourly. This is the scale and pace of change we are dealing with.
You already know the new world and the Future of Work are here and you can google statistics any time you like. But what you don’t know and you don’t realise is… where the opportunities lie for you and how to leverage them.
There are global trends that you need to be aware of. In fact, there are eight key global trends that are influencing you and your career choices:
1. Massive global change
We have big problems in many fundamental areas (economy, environment, social equity, health, education, politics, gender equality, careers, income and jobs) on a local and global scale. These issues are at critical levels, preventing our society from functioning effectively and optimally. Greater levels of global interconnectedness and interdependence mean an impact in one fundamental area across the globe literally affects us all in our careers and lives.
2. A yearning to make a difference
A new age has commenced, moving from patriarchy and hierarchy to more partnership and empowered collaboration. There is an increasing trend towards more professionals and executives wanting to make a positive contribution and more impact in their careers.
3. Constant career insecurity
High unemployment and underemployment are expected to continue for years to come. Continual change and disruption require you to plan and pivot, embrace change, and be more resilient, agile, adaptive and fluid, transforming more than ever before. You are truly in an ever-changing, unknown and emerging environment.
4. An old, outdated career system for a new world
The ‘job for life’ has opened up to become ‘many jobs for now’. There are so many more options for you to make an impact now (board roles, side businesses, your own business, freelancing and consulting, projects and collaborations, hybrid and portfolio career creation, to name a few). New-world free agents are thriving, while traditional, linear career and progression paths have been destroyed. The traditional career ladder has professionals stuck at all levels, especially those in the middle rungs trying to ascend and make a bigger impact.
5. An addiction to busy
Overworking and over-stressing is not helping you achieve more. Firefighting and fixing and saying yes to everything and everyone are causing immense health issues in our workplaces and society. You can be so busy giving 110% to your current role that you are not planning for what’s next in your career. This leaves you more exposed to future-of-work impacts and working harder. This approach will leave you behind and making little lasting impact.
6. Generational diversity and increasing future-of-work complexity
We have five different generations in the workplace all wanting to contribute. The workforce is more diverse and more complex than ever before. You have more flexibility in your career than ever before. It’s more complex than ever to lead and make a difference as we have fast-forwarded to globalisation, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, digital technology, the internet of things (IOT), working from home, working from anywhere, and these all impact you and the new world of work.
7. Untapped potential left on the table
Women are more educated, more career-oriented and more globally aware than ever before. So many have outgrown their current role; they can feel stuck and are capable of more in their career. They want to contribute more but there are pressures – both external (societal and social norms and systematic conditions) and internal (including negative self-talk such as: ‘I don’t want to brag,’ ‘I am not good enough,’ ‘I haven’t done enough,’) – that are holding them back from speaking up and being and contributing their authentic, most impactful selves in the workplace.
8. Online personal branding pressure
Jobs in the new world are typically sourced by networks and online searches. You need to be known, continually adapting and valuable in the ever-changing future. If you don’t learn how to authentically brand yourself, you will be commoditised, less sought after and left behind by others making a greater impact. Career women in particular ‘hate’ (a strong word, I know) branding and selling and talking about their achievements themselves.
Professionals, business owners and leaders at all levels are expected to have a positive brand reputation and to be up to date and leveraging the latest in personal branding, social media and technology. It can leave many feeling ‘old school’, with an expiry date.
So, what to do?
Well, as the Buddhists say, ‘Life is hard.’ Irrespective of your spirituality, I think a few of us can agree with the sentiment here. We see and experience it all the time. Life is challenging. It is not easy. Managing your career and life is hard – especially given the trends above.
Your career (whichever pathway you choose) will not be all unicorns and roses and peace and light, but it does present itself with some real opportunities!
As professionals, we need to make the highest impact and add the highest value by futureproofing ourselves and our loved ones NOW, so we can have the highest level of enjoyment, satisfaction and fulfillment. You give a lot to your career and you deserve the rewards as well.
Which trends are impacting you right now, and which ones will impact you in times to come? Learn about the best way to navigate the future in my book: Futureproof You: 3 Keys to Reimagining Your Career and Amplifying Your Impact in the New World of Work
Confront Your Reality
Do a quick check-in. Are any of the following statements true for you?
I want a meaningful, impactful, fulfilling career.
There is more to my career, leadership and life.
I have more to give.
I am overwhelmed with expectations, roles, workload and/or options and I can’t see a clear path for what’s best anymore.
I don’t have a career or future plan.
I am not feeling my whole self at work.
I don’t want to sell myself or to be ‘cut down’.
I don’t know how to brand myself authentically to be more influential, impactful and valuable.
I don’t want to regret not making the impact I could have.
I am driven to achieve, contribute and be a role model.
I have a need to maintain my livelihood and lifestyle (and others); I want to maximise my value, worth and impact.
Something needs to change but I don’t know what or how.
Yes? Then it’s time to Futureproof You.
You can BE MORE.
You can MAKE MORE IMPACT IN YOUR CAREER.
You can be your AUTHENTIC, WHOLE SELF and BE VALUED MORE FOR IT.
You can ADAPT and MAXIMISE YOUR VALUE & FUTURE in an ever-changing world.
Learn how you can go about making a change in my book: Futureproof You: 3 Keys to Reimagining Your Career and Amplifying Your Impact in the New World of Work