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Your career in the 21st Century

Published: Friday, 25th May 2007

The world of 21st century is a different world altogether. This is a period unlike any other in human history. It can be summaried in three words: Change, Complexity and Competition.

If there is anything constant about the future, it is CHANGE; and it’s more than likely to keep coming at an accelerated rate. Great changes are taking place in our world. Think what life was like 50 years ago, then 20 years ago, or even 10 years ago. The rate is breathtaking. Everything from clothing to cars have undergone transformational changes. New technologies have accelerated changes in transportation, communication, education and almost all other human endeavours.

Changes are also rocking the workplaces. Stability and permanence in career is becoming a thing of the past. The exploding population of the employable is upsetting the configuration of job-market. Nobody is sure of a job after school any longer. To make matters worse, the increasing competition in our world is forcing many to reconsider the survival of their career. You have to consider your future yourself.

Now it will be unwise of you to fight these changes and try to turn back the hands of the clock. Changes are here to stay; welcome to the world of uncertainties. This is not your mother’s world. Wake up and live today. The past is gone for better — or for worse. Let’s seize today and be our best!

If you are going to survive in the world of today, you have to anticipate and welcome changes. Don’t see changes as an enemy. Your opportunities lie in the accelerating changes you face today. You have to prepare for the future. You have to do more than waiting for events to change for the better. You will have to initiate series of actions that will help you arrive in your future. The days of government doing everything for us are over! It’s a world of your choices. The ball is in your own court!

In a bid to cope with the changes, complexity has become the order of the day. The simple factory-tasks of the last decades have given way to complicated computer operations in the new century. What would take a brilliant scientist ten years to accomplish now takes place daily as a routine in our offices.

The great changes and complexity is turning the whole world into a giant market-place marked by fierce competition. The world of 21st century requires bold, innovative attitudes and actions that are synchronized to deliver best competitive advantage and maximal profit. It’s no longer business as usual. Marking time is out; productivity and greater performances are the new order of the day. In other words, you have to do more than acquiring certificates if you want to survive (talk less of flourishing ) in your career in the twenty-first century.

Welcome to the new world of 21st century. I want you to know you can survive in this age. But it requires more than going to school to get certificates. No more hiding behind government and bureaucracy. There is a room for those who are ready to improve themselves. There is a place for those who desire to change and move forward. This is the day of success for those who are ready to do the unusual.

I know you can survive today. More than that, I believe you can go further and flourish in your chosen career. You just need to make some adjustments. This article will show you the attitudes and actions you must have in order to build a successful career in today's world. It will will show you how to manage and direct your career to deliver the best for you in today’s market-place. It will also show you the innovative actions you can embark on that will propel you into the arena of achievement and fulfilment in your career.

REAL SKILLS

There are new skills that today’s workers must acquire and develop to be and do their best. And this demands you to get up from your couch, turn off the TV and dust off your books and training-manuals to learn new mindset and methods. The career-professionals of the 21st century will need to develop the skills that enable them to apply their minds as well as their muscle at their workplaces. I believe there are seven career-skills fundamentally critical to your professional survival and success in today’s world.

#1 : DEVELOP COMPETENCE

This is first requirement in your skill development. If you want to make it in this highly competitive world of today, you have to make yourself indispensable to your employer. And this can only happen when you are so good that the workplace depends on you to make progress. Semi-skilled and unskilled labourers will become increasingly out of business in today’s world. Those who display unusual competence and sterling performance will become the darling of their organizations.

So do whatever it takes to be your best. Go back to school if you have to. Attend seminars and training conferences. Start sleeping less and spend more time to learn new skills that were not available before in your career. Read journals and magazines that will keep you informed, abreast and up-to-date in your field.
At work, think and seek knowledge and understanding pertaining to your career. Volunteer for new tasks and to learn new procedures in your offices. When your organization acquires new instruments and/or gadgets, be the first to get involved in learning how to use them.

When your organization sees you developing competence and seriousness in your pursuit of progress, it will keep you during times of crises. Promotion will be at your grasp when you increase your level of dedication and competence. It will make all the difference in your career when you determine to shun mediocrity and average-mentality, and doggedly decide to make a difference in your profession.

The world is still waiting for any man or woman who chooses to be and do his/her best.

#2 : LEARN TO BE CREATIVE

Creative thinking is an essential but rare commodity in our 21st century. Those who possess it will lead their colleagues. It’s a vital factor you require in order to develop a successful career.

What is creative thinking?

First, it’s learning how to think well. Destructive thinking is counter-productive. When you can think well, you are a powerful asset to your employer. You will be sought after when your colleagues and contemporaries need someone to help them think through.

Second, creative thinking is in learning how to come up with answers to difficult issues and puzzles. A creative thinker seeks to find answers to difficult problems confronting him/her. He challenges and forces his mind to distil the solutions needed. The average career-professional is usually reactive and quickly gets overwhelmed by the various challenges that confront them. The creative thinker forces herself to think outside the box and comes up with innovative ways to do things better.

The average mind looks at things and asks, “Why?” The person with creative mind looks at new ideas and asks, “Why not?”

You can develop creative mind when you stop avoiding tackling issues. Apply your brain to think and task it to perform. Your brain can perform wonders if you just go the extra mile!

#3 : GET LEADERSHIP SKILLS

Because of the stiff competition and rising complexity in today’s world, our workplaces will demand career-professionals to display effective leadership-skills.
Your workplace will demand you to see ahead and prepare to lead your part of production to greater heights. You can’t just get buried in your present schedule. You have to be a person of vision and help others see tomorrow.

Leadership skills also involve taking initiatives. This is a must for your career. The days of waiting to mindlessly do what you are told are about over. Your boss and colleagues want to see you initiating actions that will profitably affect your organization.

And, of course, a real leader adopts a fast-response mode to all his activities. You have to be fast and quick to respond to those who are ahead and below you.
The careers of 21st century require those who know how to motivate and influence others. A salesman must know how to motivate customers. A pharmacist must know how to influence patients and doctors. And a manager must certainly know how to influence the employees and customers in order to achieve a profitable venture.

Develop leadership-ability by volunteering to lead committee and by reading biographies and good books on leadership.

#4 : GENERATE NEW IDEAS

We are living in an information-age where ideas rule and reign. Those who can generate good, working ideas will get to the top of their profession.

How can one generate good ideas?

First, learn the art of envisioning the future. This requires a creative imagination. Mentally picture the future you’ll like to see. Ask yourself questions. Challenge your mind to think and give birth to new concepts. Until you “look” you will not see.

Second, get out and visit people and organizations that are on the cutting edge in your career and profession. Analyse their successes and study how they handle their challenges. This will stimulate your mind to think and see new possibilities.

Third, become an intentional planner. Begin to plan all your actions. This will force your mind to think and get sharp. And remember, sharp mind produces sharp products and services!

Finally, explore new territories and possibilities. Go beyond the average and stretch your imagination. Think outside the box. Extend your parameters. Go beyond your limit and break your own records. Don’t wait for people to tell you want to do. You can bring forth new ideas and concepts. Your career needs the impetus of new ideas and innovation in order to survive and flourish in this 21st century.

# 5 : BECOME A TEAM PLAYER

There was a time when many nations were seeking independence from their colonial masters. Of course, independence and human freedom are necessary for our present civilization to flourish. But the world has changed. Yes, we still need freedom. But much more, we need the higher quality of interdependence. We need one another to do well together.

How does this affect the 21st century professionals? You can no longer live in an isolated island. What you do affect your organization’s overall progress. What your colleagues do affect your career more than ever before.

We need to learn how to get along with others. Our human relational skills need to be improved upon. We must learn that cooperation is the in-game and ruthless conflict is out for good. No matter how good you are, you will not have a thriving career in 21st century if you do not properly manage your relationships with those who are ahead and behind you. We have to imbibe the mentality of cooperation, empathy and genuine interest for others. We just can’t play a game of sole self-benefit and make a headway in this new century.

One more thing… we have to learn how to properly manage disagreement and improve our conflict-resolution ability. You need to develop the skills of diplomacy and win-win negotiation if you want to climb the ladder of success in your career. Companies and organizations will begin to realise the importance of harnessing and developing their human resources and potentials. This will literally force them to scout for employees who know how to skilfully and profitably manage their human capital. Now, begin to develop your human relational ability. You will need it in the coming days. As competition gets intense among companies, organizations and even nations, men and women will pay higher price for those professionals who know how to properly relate with colleagues and customers.

# 6 : DEVELOP COMMUNICATION SKILLS

We are in the information revolution where words and their meanings affect everything we do and live for. Anyone who does not recognise the power of words and their effects will experience high-level frustration. To move ahead in the world of today, you have to improve your communication skills. Getting others to understand what you mean is critically crucial for your career’s future. Your words should be understandable and clear.

Not only do you need verbal communication, non-verbal communication is also essential. Body-language is taking a greater role in the work-place. You can’t step on people’s feelings and attitude and get ahead. You will have to know how to negotiate with those who are ahead of you and those who are under you.
Even when you have the facts, you should not be offensive in presenting them. Honesty is not a licence to arrogant insurbordination.

Remember, your words are your means of getting ahead; use them carefully, truthfully and wisely. How blessed is the man who knows how to craft appropriate word for the moment!

#7 : MAKE COMPREHENSIVE DECISIONS

This is the most crucial of all the seven skills. Nothing can take the place of good decisions. Failure is simply the fruit of bad decisions. How do you make good decisions that will have long-term benefits for your future?

First, don’t be in a hurry. Hasty decisions are regrettable decisions. Many businesses and marriages have failed because they were hastily formed. Take your time to know what to do.

Second, be well-informed about the decision you are about to make. If you do not understand what you are deciding about, the chances of making faulty decisions are high.

Third, become responsible. Your future is not a chance; it’s a matter of responsibility. Begin to take ownership of your choices. Irresponsible people are quick to lay blame on others. When you fail, admit it.

Finally, consider other areas of your life. Don’t make career decisions in isolation. Think about the impact of your choices on your family, your faith and your future. That extra money may jeopardise your home. That career move may limit your future progress.

Amosun, Tunde: is the Pastor of Rock Foundation Church Abeokuta.

Last edited: Friday, 25th May 2007