When I began my career, not really all that long ago, I believed that my career path would be linear and that doing a good job created advancement. I’m not saying now that you can do a bad job and succeed, but the opposite assumption that I made certainly hasn’t played out the way I expected.
What I am grateful for, and thrive on, is the fact that I’ve been able to be continuously employed throughout the “dot com” bust, as well as in the current economy challenges. Even as we hear more and more news that things are *maybe* at the bottom and will improve soon, the lesson that we all need to take to heart is that the forces that propelled our parents and grandparents into financial stability are different now. The market is changing. New opportunities are sprouting and the pace of things is accelerating.
That dying concept of stability, of get-a-job-and-do-it-well-make-money-until-you-retire……….is gone. And at least in part, I say good riddance. I don’t want to stop living and being active, rot away and die when I’m 65.5. If you like what you do, that shouldn’t even be a consideration. The flip side is that in recovery sometimes what happens is that all of those still standing begin to jump ship. They go to places that are new because they saw their friends and colleagues get cut, or were over worked and under-appreciated, or realized that they didn’t even like it when things were “good.”
Change management skills are imperative for employers who see this time as an opportunity. The successful businesses will use it to create bonds, extend relationships and collaborate differently with their associates. Their ahead-of-the-curve thinking might be unusual, but it will help them to succeed in the next boom, whatever that is. One way companies can take advantage of the current climate with authenticity is to emphasize and communicate different benefit packages for employees based on the values and needs of that individual and his or her family. Many of us would work for less if we knew that there was a mutual commitment. It will save employers money on talent, and the folks doing the work won’t be so worried from day to day about looking for another job, or switching out of fear.
I sold my expensive car. I gave up plans for exotic travel. No new clothes. And really it’s all fine. I like my job. So, right now: stability is my new luxury.
