Recently, I came across a book that I had read when I was in my 20s. This book was one which had a profound effect on my life focus and beliefs. The Who moved my cheese book, is a small book (not more than 40 pages) and contains a simple but entertaining story about 2 tiny humans and 2 mice that are stuck in a maze. I remember finishing the book quickly and being amused by the story and the lessons in the story remained with me over the past 20 years as I transitioned from being a HR professional to a trainer and career counselor. I have seen people from all walks of life struggling with change. What I had learned from the short story could be the source of help for all dealing with change. While I was concerned primarily about careers, the lessons apply to every aspect of life whether it be relationships, personal development or finances.
Summarizing the key lessons in the book
List of Contents
Here are some the nuggets of wisdom that we learn from the book
1. Change is the only constant in life so anticipate change
2. The more we are willing to change and adapt the more happier we will be
3. We should be seeking out avenues to constantly expand our horizons and look for new opportunities
4. Complaining and moaning about how good things were in the past will not get you success
5. Instead of perceiving change as a threat learn to embrace change and see change as an adventure
6. Be willing to let go of the old and welcome the new
Now lets focus on careers and the state of careers at present.
Huge changes in how work is perceived and conducted is affecting all our live. Some of the major changes that deserve mention are:
a) Increasing using of AI and technology in the workplace
AI (Artificial Intelligence) is showing up in all areas and eventually will become part and parcel of our work life. What it means is, not that AI will take over ,rather mundane and routine jobs will simplified by AI, while humans will be more involved in problem solving, creative ideation as well as directing the work. But yes, jobs will be lost. With driverless cars, google duplex and other AI solutions, people will have to move away from traditional careers.
The ‘Who moved my cheese’ book specifies how focusing on anything we deem as good and expecting that to last for ever is a mistake. In this case, depending on your current job alone for income may be foolhardy. Exploring of new avenues for growth is necessary for every working professional.
b) Eroding of job security in all sectors and an increasing in gig economy
With mass layoffs and pay cuts during the pandemic, the trust on the employers have been eroding and full time employee are leaving jobs, or looking for income generation through contract work ,freelancing etc. This has led to the emergence of the gig economy, where project based freelance work has become popular. Check out Fiverr and Upwork to see the type of services offered. Some even look to offer services online or start e commerce businesses which has become easier with online technologies and platforms.
An air hostess in one of my classes mentioned how, during the lockdowns, she was asked by the airlines to stay at home till they when they notified . She was not paid any salary and had to search for temporary work online. She had skills as a graphic designer and using her connections and various online platforms, she was quickly able to find clients and generate an income. When the pandemic lifted and she was called back by the airlines, she declined and send in her resignation because now she had a substantial income from her freelance work.
Old careers vanishing and new careers emerging
Automation has been able to increase organizational productivity and reduce costs for businesses. Areas like mining, logistics, banking etc. will soon see careers being redundant. With the digital technologies, careers such as digital marketing, eLearning, data analysis, virtual teaching, online coaching, blogging etc. have become financially viable careers and allows more flexibility in lifestyles for individuals.
Metaverse and virtual reality showing up as the new frontiers of work
Mark Zuckerberg announced the launch of metaverse toward the end of 2021 (Read article from CNN here). Soon after other tech giants like Microsoft, Google, Qualcomm and the likes have taken massive action to invest in the metaverse and virtual reality platforms. Soon work would be majorly conducted through these platforms and increasing skills levels in digital collaboration and communication would be come necessary.
Watch how the metaverse will function
Remote working due to the digital shift that has happened
The metaverse, collaboration technology advancements etc. has lead to the remote working culture. The 9-5 jobs are going to steadily decline and remote working would be seen as a great boost to productivity as well as reduction of costs for the employers. Here is what McKinsey predicts about the future of work.
This would also lead to new challenges such as how would you lead a team that is entirely remote. How can you motivate people who you cannot see regularly. How do you track work and how you develop commitment and loyalty among employees who are scattered around the world. Text books in HR, organizations behaviors and leadership would have to be rewritten with new models, and theories for the new type of work context.
Continuous learning will become the new norm
Terms such as reskilling, upskilling and continuous learning are going to be the new buzzwords in the workplace. People would need to quickly unlearn and learn to keep up with the technology shifts. The lifecycle of any skill, which was about 5 years till recently, is going to further reduce. This will send unprepared workers to scramble for enrolling in online and virtual learning programs.
Organizations will eventually be seen as learning hubs where skills and knowledge will be captured, shared and developed. An interesting idea of Universal Basic Income that was put forward by Andrew Yang, who was a presidential candidate that ran against Trump in 2020 as an independent candidate, is worth considering here. See the video below on his concept of UBI and how it will be a significant relief for people.
Changing organizational design and structures
The mechanistic hierarchy based structures will slowly give way to more organic and fast responding, fluid organizational structures. Companies are already exploring these with network structures and design based on newer models. Here is what Don Miller the Managing Director of Deloitte Consulting LLP envisions as major changes to organizational design and structure for the future.
With these and many more changes it is time to get back to the principles of change that are laid out in the who moved my cheese book and integrate the lesson into our thinking.
How this affects your career
Some important takeaways as a career counselor that I would like to share are:
- Don’t get stuck on one career and fret if your career is no longer giving you the income or benefits you used to get
- Constantly assess you skills and learning and look out for opportunities that are emerging
- Have a written personal development plan to avoid chaotic and unorganized career shifts
- If you see change as a threat change your perception- welcome change and be ready to adapt
- Don’t hesitate to explore and discover new facets of your life and personality
- Finally, commit yourself to a life of continuous learning
Get your copy of the book here
Read more on applying the lessons on who moved my cheese on following link who moved my cheese book review
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