How to maintain employability in the era of disruption?

by Francisco Santolo

The era of disruption requires flexibility and adaptation to a constantly evolving world of work. In an environment where change is the only constant, maintaining our employability becomes a challenge that we must all face. Below, I share with you some reflections and tips that will help you stay relevant in this new reality.

How to maintain employability in the era of disruption?

Always learn: Embracing a mindset of continuous learning is essential. It is no longer about accumulating knowledge or titles, but about learning to learn, knowing how to unlearn and encouraging ourselves to apply what we have learned. Relate knowledge from different areas, practice lateral thinking and, above all, learn from and together with others. Do not relegate learning to the intellectual, invest in our emotional and relational training. Experiment and find the best ways to learn for our abilities and style (podcast, audiobooks, chatgpt, etc). Humility and the willingness to acquire new skills are essential in the era of Disruption. Don't just stay in your area of expertise!

Stay informed about trends: Disruption generates and feeds on innovations and changes in the market. Learn about emerging trends and their expected impacts to always be one step ahead. How will they affect your industry? How will they modify the actions and incentives of business actors? What are the risks but above all the opportunities that they bring?

Don't neglect digital skills: The digital transformation has radically changed the way we work. Develop solid digital skills, including the use of online tools and platforms. Do you use, for example, Notion, Slack, Discord, Trello, ChatGPT, Canva, Wix? Why Why not acquire basic notions of programming (Google "No Code") and data analysis?You can incorporate these tools through free courses in just a few weekends.

Strengthen your soft skills: As technology takes a more prominent place, soft skills such as emotional intelligence, adaptability, active listening, conflict resolution, Networking and effective communication become crucial. Learn from resources about it, work on them and put them into practice in your work interactions. Uncertainty and change can generate stress and anxiety. Learn to manage these emotions and cultivate resilience to face challenges with a positive attitude and determination. Faced with each situation that is not resolved satisfactorily, I propose to ask yourself, what is it? What could I have done better? what Should I change for the next one?

Learn to undertake: business theory is undergoing a profound transformation. The paradigm of scale, repetition and efficiency becomes one of customization, flexibility, risk reduction and opportunity capitalization. Entrepreneurial and innovation methodologies are powerful and empower us to achieve our achievements by coordinating and generating value for actors at both the entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial levels. This mentality allows us to live in learning mode and experiment continuously, understanding the world to come. Undertake alongside work or apply the tools in innovation initiatives within the company!

Build and cultivate your network of contacts: Connecting with other diverse people is essential. Everything we are and what we achieve depends on others and our interactions. In the medium term, we cannot capture value without giving value. Actively participate in events, conferences and seminars to broaden your horizons and learn from other experts. Build relationships with potential employers without approaching them through traditional channels, trying to do so before needing to apply for a job.It is essential to cultivate social capital via networking, starting by generating value before needing something transactional.

Work on your online presence: How is it? your Linkedin profile? Your Instagram? What What impression do they convey about you? What can you find if you search on Google? Do you dare to expose yourself and publish your thoughts, your ideas, your knowledge? Write at least one Linkedin article per month providing value.Remember that your brand is not what appears on your corporate card next to the company logo. Actively build your personal brand!

Find mentors: A mentor can be an invaluable guide on this path of growth and adaptation. Look for someone who has experience and knowledge, a person who is willing to share her lessons and support you in your development. Invest in generating your network of mentors, and why not? No, hire professional accompaniment before you reach the moment you need it.

 

In short, navigating the era of disruption and staying employable requires a proactive approach, continuous learning, a willingness to embrace change, encourage ourselves to make mistakes, expose ourselves from vulnerability, and a lot of courage.

I offer you to comment or write to me 1 on 1 to delve deeper into any of these points.


What to read next from Francisco Santolo