This week I’m looking to be painfully blunt. 

The majority of my job is to help organizations and people plan. One of my gifted skills is the ability to see many things that could go wrong, and in turn plan for them. Maybe it’s my way of becoming a superhero - get people to worry, and help them find a solution. 

Getting you to worry

Much has been made of technology, AI, and the future of work, especially in the past few years. While nobody can predict the future, we know that technology will impact the way we work. No, a robot won’t take your job in a corner office, but algorithms and AI will disrupt your industry and potentially cause significant consolidation (see Schwab buying TD Ameritrade). It’s time to think about how moves like this will impact you.

Most of my corporate clients are preparing for a recession. Bonuses are being cut, hiring is being stalled, and there is a general feeling that a difficult period is around the bend. We can’t predict timing, but eventually it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy - so you can expect it. 

Here is why this is important.

For the first time, we have enough technology in place to disrupt the white collar workers. 

It happens all the time - companies merging or being acquired. Layoffs of “redundant personnel.” But this isn’t just the elimination of a company or a job - entire roles are going away. 

Here is what traditionally happens in a recession: people lose their jobs, they spend time looking around for a new one, and they eventually get a similar job at another company. So … a bookseller at Borders might end up at Barnes and Noble. An accountant at Wells Fargo may end up at Bank of America. A business manager for Walgreens might go over to CVS. 

Industry shuffles, network grows, life goes on. 

What’s different today is that when this recession comes, the roles that are eliminated are being taken out across multiple companies. When Verizon eliminates operational role - that role is also being eliminated at Comcast, AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint (by the way - they are merging). 

And with the merger, they only need one management structure. You don’t need two managing directors of accounting. You don’t need two global CFOs. Your options have dwindled. And my fear for many people is that they are going to enter 2021 or 2022 in a situation where they haven’t prepared, aren’t positioned to navigate this new world.

Finding your solution

But fret not! I worry you and then I tell you the solution! It’s simple, but isn’t easy. 

Your solution takes an investment of time and energy in you. Think of this as your 2020 project - how do you position yourself for a year from now? 

It’s time to answer the questions on your skillset and your value. It’s time to learn how to articulate your skillset and value, because you may be transferring them from one industry to another. It’s time to build your network (they are your safety net). It’s time to take just those one or two steps that put you ahead of your peers. It’s not a lot of work - just an investment in time.

The future is unpredictable, sure, but the fact that some kind of change is coming is not. We may not have all of the details, but we can do just the bare minimum that won’t leave us flat footed when the time comes. It’s uncomfortable, and we like to ignore the future for more pressing “in the moment” things, but this is one way to spend your time that will pay dividends in the future. 

And, shameless plug, you may want to hire a coach for this type of work. Ahem.