How to Future Proof Your Career in Change Management

With all the messages around artificial intelligence, data, digital, new technologies, dynamic workspaces and careers that we don’t even have right now – how do you future proof your career so you are ahead of the game?

You don’t need to search too hard to find studies showing concern from organisations, universities, recruiters, etc on the ability or lack thereof for either developing internal capability or securing required skills externally.

​You also don’t need to scroll through your LinkedIn feeds for too long before you are reading articles lauding organisations that are driving technology through automation, creating a dramatic shift to higher skilled roles and agile based jobs. This potentially can create a sense that you have fallen behind in your skills and/or your industry is moving way ahead of your current skill set.

Add to this, that organisations are seeking rapid transformations to drive digital changes, whilst achieving greater productivity and profits.

This means organisations are on the hunt for people with the skills and career outlooks to match their own intentions for growth and transformation. They are focused on professionals with a future skill set, but what are the skills of the future – and more importantly, how do you go about developing them?

Quite often Leaders, Managers, HR Specialists and just organisations in general, consider the biggest skill of an employee is their technical capability. But in the future world, maybe those professional skills will differentiate us from automation and artificial intelligence! So, don’t wait for the boss to tell you what development you need, take your future in your own hands and look today at ho​w you can future proof yourself, for the challenging new future that is ahead for us all!

So, don’t wait for the boss to tell you what development you need, take your future in your own hands and look today at ho​w you can future proof yourself, for the challenging new future that is ahead for us all!

Tips to future-proof your career

1. Look to the future – what are other industries doing? New technology, new innovations, ways to market, customer obsession. Do your own research and keep abreast of industry (and non-industry) trends. Are there any common themes, or areas that you could apply into your current work or organisation?
2. Know your current strengths – complete a stock-take of your skills and capability. Be realistic, are you a master, a novice or somewhere in-between in your capability. Ask for honest feedback from peers your manager and peers. Do you have skills and passions that are not being utilised as much as they could?
3. Map out a future plan – how? Do a skills gap analysis on yourself. You may have done this many times within your role as a Change Manager – now flip it and look internally. Identify your gaps and find out how you can upskill yourself. Does your organisation off any training or e-learning in the areas you have gaps in? Find a buddy and/or mentor who is willing to share knowledge and support you. ASPIRE can help – check out our training certifications!
4. Look for new opportunities – within your organisation you can seek secondment, act as a champion on a project, join a focus/work group, become a subject matter expert etc. Complete volunteer work, get involved in outside of work activities.
5. Grow your network – stretch yourself to meet and connect with others outside of your comfort zone. Join professional chat sites, offer to mentor or coach a colleague, attend professional events, etc. Building connections with like-minded professionals can open doors that will allow you to both expand your skills and boost your potential employment opportunities.

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How ASPIRE Change Management can help you?
At ASPIRE we work with individuals, teams and organisations – we have our ASPIRE Circle and a large diverse group of attendees – all willing to learn and share. Join us. My next blog will share some of the key capabilities that will assist you develop that path to your future career.

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