Chief of Staff @Myant | Leadership+DEIB Expert | 2x TEDx Speaker | Innovation&Strategy | Founder, Women Helping Empower Women | Author&Prof.
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In the last couple of years, we have witnessed the Great Resignation, quiet quitting, hybrid workplaces, massive layoffs and the economic impact of each. With all these changes in how individuals assess their priorities—in career and life—it is no surprise then that a trending topic is how to make significant career shifts and how we navigate this. The biggest challenges lie in how we go about making and navigating the change coupled with the impact of this on our identity.
When I have done executive and leadership presence training I often ask participants if they see themselves as a brand. There is always a small handful of people who do, but the majority only see the company within which they work as a brand, not themselves. Yet we are all a brand, and how we show up, how people experience us and what we are known for are all part of our brand.
So how do we leverage this and build on it to pivot to a new role or career? Equally important is when you are making a career transition, you are often making it because you seek new possibilities, yet because you are charting new territory for yourself it is sometimes hard to figure out where to begin and what the path forward clearly looks like.
Your brand is often tied to your professional identity—a project manager, a coach, an executive, a finance leader, etc. I have seen people feel lost when they are in transition. They want change, they want new opportunities, but they often don’t know where to begin, and at times, fear of the unknown holds them back. If they have been forced to rethink their next career move due to job loss, this becomes even more complicated as the impact on identity, self-worth and fear of failure tend to be amplified.
Yet we know that change is the only constant. So how do we prepare as best as possible for a successful transition?
As someone who has made multiple career changes successfully, here is what I recommend:
Building Your Plan And Capacity
To get to the next level, you need to know where you want to go and develop your road map of how to get there. What skills do you need? What are your gaps? And what are you doing differently to gain that experience and expertise? Self-reflection is important.
I would add to this by developing a personal advisory board made up of individuals who are well-placed and know you but are not your best friends. Why not best friends? We want them objective, and as you tap into them with your plans and strategies, they will ask you the tough questions to help you plan and prepare well. Whenever I contemplate a career change I ask myself, “Will this new role open more opportunities for you or limit your scope?” “Will this be fulfilling for you and nourish your mind and soul?” “Is this a place where you see yourself growing, contributing and building your brand?”
All of these considerations help me shape my strategy, my approach, my direction and my final decision.
Your Network Is Your Net Worth
It is important to cultivate and steward a good network of individuals in your current sector, in adjacent industries or in industries you have a passion in. It is good to think about the connections you need to make to help you. When you ask them where they want to be in three years, many people may say in a “better job.” However, few people will have mapped out what they really want and, more importantly, how they will get there.
The reality is this is often a reiterative process that requires a growth mindset and not seeing a career shift as option A or B. Rather it is likely to involve reinventing yourself, which can make many people uncomfortable. To address this, I coach people on their "workback" plan, meaning if they want to be at point B, what do they need to do and who do they need to meet and/or build a relationship with to help open doors or make introductions to help them get from A to B? How are they preparing themselves for that next step? For example, if that next big jump requires understanding nonprofits or innovation, are they volunteering with such organizations so they have experience? Are they leveraging their contacts to help get that experience?
With networking, you need to steward those relationships, meaning you don’t just ask for help and favors but rather invest in building those relationships short- and long-term. They may pay back tenfold!
Reinvention And Identity
As you begin to reflect on your values, your passion, your purpose, your network and what gives you joy, you will begin to uncover the many layers of your identity and your unique value proposition that you offer the world. It will become much easier then to align this with your brand, what you want others to experience from you and where you want to work, play and make an impact. This is one of the most challenging things we can do. It takes time, effort and a lot of self-reflection. Yet when you know who you are and recognize that you are not defined by a job or title but rather by all the things and skills you can contribute (including new ones you will learn), rethinking what you know about yourself will unlock your potential, power and opportunities.
Part of identity and reinvention is the story you choose to tell, so how are you leveraging social media to showcase your passions, projects, volunteerism, thoughts on key issues, etc.? Leverage these tools to let the world know why you are so fascinating and help set the direction and runway for your next career change.
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