By Dan Wooldridge
Strategic Leadership and Leader Development

Profound seismic shifts in global power, institutions, and systems have created a “new normal” in the work world that dramatically affects us all. As a result of this and a few other factors, the organizations and industries we work for are on much more shaky ground. We must therefore change our mindset and understand what is changing because companies are changing how they think about you and me and others they may employ or contract.

Boiling this down means we must embrace new ways to think about work and what it means to be a professional today. Just what is this “new normal?” How do I successfully work in it? Let’s emulate the sons of Issachar, who “understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do” (I Chronicles 12:32).

The New Normal

Globalization has radically restructured economies, industries, markets, and businesses. Whole industries can now disappear overnight as in 2008 with the investment banking industry. And businesses today have had to realize that their strategies and assumptions of how to make money used to be valid for a decade or two, whereas now they are valid for just five years at the most.

Consider also that the economic crisis we are experiencing is not the result of a cycle that we will eventually live through and return to good times. Fundamental global shifts and restructuring have happened. And while there will be better times, the overall climate will remain turbulent. So be prepared to work in these rough waters for many years.

Lifetime job security is also gone. You will likely work many jobs and probably have multiple careers. The whole concept of the “job” is increasingly obsolete. Fewer people are hired for highly defined tasks because many of these can be automated or outsourced. People today are increasingly being hired or contracted for the ability to bring unique value to a company, for what they can truly contribute.

Basic good “citizenship” qualities are still necessary, but not sufficient. These qualities include honesty, faithfulness, the ability to get along with others, and hard work. However, I’ve observed that these qualities are no longer unique or distinguishing to just Christians. In hiring, they are now the price of admission. Your co-workers will try to exhibit these same qualities because they are expected in today’s workforce. So although this good “citizenship” is necessary, it’s no longer sufficient for you to be considered a top performer, and it no longer guarantees that you keep your job. So, what can you do beyond your character and hard work to set yourself apart?

Must-Do Things for Today’s Professional

Broaden your view of the world. Stay aware of what is happening. Read. Listen. Travel. Work internationally. Every business, every industry, and every job today has a global dimension to it. Gain insight into the opportunities as well as the risks that confront you.

Do not just think of having and doing a “job.” Rather, picture yourself as a one-person company, sort of a “Me, Inc.” This helps frame your thinking more like that of a small business, which must be savvy and current to stay in business. For example, think of your co-workers and your company as your clients. Then every single day, consider how to bring fresh value to them. Earn their business by not just doing the job you are asked to do, but understand what they need and work to deliver that value better and better.

Learn the big picture of how your company works. What is its purpose? Who are its customers? What does it promise customers? How does it deliver value? How does it make a profit? These business model questions open avenues to begin to see how you create value, possibly in ways that have not previously been seen. If you were a supervisor trying to decide between a person who faithfully does his job and another who not only faithfully does her job but also seeks fresh ways to create value, who would you keep?

Never stop learning. Strive to master your field of knowledge. Where is the field going? Many companies have had to cut back on education and development, but you must always take ownership of your development. Build depth in an area of expertise, but also add new and complementary areas of knowledge to your portfolio. This enhances your ability to create value over the long run.

For many years now, I’ve created a personal learning project every three years. The topics include my interests and abilities plus areas where I see needs developing for my clients. Areas have included marketing, organizational culture, strategy, leadership, innovation and talent development.

Learn how to create value and improve your company. Get involved with or take on projects that focus on improving the company. That project may be an innovation to develop for the company. Learn how to “work on the business, not just in the business.” Interact with your boss and co-workers to design a project that tests your idea.

Build a network inside and outside of the organization. Include collaborators, mentors, thought leaders, and crazies. Collaborators are those whom we can learn from and work with. Mentors and coaches advise and give unvarnished feedback. Thought leaders stimulate our thinking and imagination. And “crazies” are unafraid to try things, take risks, and dream big. As jobs and companies come and go, you will find the next open door in this network.

Develop your leadership abilities. As you progress in your career, you will likely face a fork in the road. One road leads to greater specialization, e.g. the chief rocket scientist. The other road leads to a more organizational contribution, e.g. the director of NASA. If you enjoy the more organizational path, then work on developing your leadership abilities. Study good leaders. Practice your leadership. Get feedback on it so you can improve.

Free to Serve

In conclusion, also consider that due to the “jobs” mentality and other factors, people have become increasingly dependent on companies and the government to take care of them. However, people have historically been more independent, creating cottage businesses or other means to take care of themselves and their households. I fear that in this volatile age, the more dependent we are, the more we can become trapped and unable to do the things that God wants us to do. Those in bondage through dependency to others are not free to serve.

The apostle Paul contemplated the last days and instructed the Thessalonians to “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody (I Thessalonians 4:11-12).”In my experience, what I’ve outlined as the new professionalism is the modern equivalent of “working with your hands” and “not being dependent on anybody.”

As we work at these things, in what might be the last days, we can survive and thrive in the turbulence. We can also lead a life that wins the respect of others and enables us to freely serve people for the sake of Christ.