BEYOND TITLES: UNEARTHING THE DOMINANCE OF MINDSET IN ACHIEVING SUCCESS

Issue No 1/52 August, 2023

Hello Professionals and Achievers,

Welcome to the premier edition of Think Differently Be Different. In this issue we discuss change. May the newsletter be an inspiration to you and the people you lead and those who follow you?

It is claimed, “The cat has nine lives.”

What can we learn from this saying, this common statement?

First, let us explore the current operating and living environment. There is heightened uncertainty and leaders are struggling to make meaning of the unfolding situations. There are innovations in technology threatening jobs, the very existence of other businesses’ face demise due to technological changes and political-economic realignments and more.

To better have a clearer perspective on the disruptions let us examine the effects of covid-19 pandemic, the war in Europe (Russia vs Ukraine) and the results of disrupted supply chains as great contributors to rising costs of living and making change a no option situation

True leaders manage to lead their followers through the uncertainty. Team work, innovation and belief in the leadership to provide direction helps make the impossible possible. The Covid-19 pandemic according to the International Labour organization (ILO) disrupted work. It is estimated that 17.3% of all jobs affected lost an equivalent of 495 million man hours of full time jobs, never to be recovered[1]. The economic loss is humongous.

Secondly, the effect of technology is an ever present threat and savage to jobs security. The technological threat can be handled through re-skilling. According to the World Economic Forum (WEF, 2020) in the next two years an estimated 85million jobs will have been whipped out of the world. The good news is that 97 million new jobs will have been created.[2] The position of good feeling is dwarfed by the 2023 WEF report on labour. Out of 673 companies, job surveys in diverse industries the growth of jobs is only estimated at 69million new jobs associated with technology in effect shading 83 million jobs representing 2% drop in current employment among surveyed companies.[3] As a leader how do you navigate the ambiguity in jobs security?

In the two examples, Covid-19 pandemic and the threat of technology it is evident that jobs were lost and more jobs will be lost. It is my considered opinion that you are more than the position you occupy. You are more skilled and gifted than the title you currently have. You can adopt the proverbial nine lives of a cat. You can reinvent yourself. You can thrive post a job disruption. With the right mindset I believe Mindset beats a title. You can have a fresh start; it is the right mindset in the uncertain world.

The following are some ideas on how to thrive in a disruption

1.?????Adopt a positive mindset: Have the, “I can do it mindset.” The power lies in the things you can do, things you can control like learning, re-skilling, and moving forward.

2.?????Build Progressive Networks: Your networks are a source of information and resources. Be intentional in creating, nurturing and growing your professional and personal networks. This will become an asset in case of disruption.

3.?????Believe in Yourself: Believing in yourself and the power of your skills, experience and knowledge combined with your ability to collaborate is a “life missile” in the economic war. It will help you stay relevant; always invest in yourself and your network.

The cat has nine lives the proverbial saying narrates. You too can reinvent yourself. It is all in your mind, your mindset.

Let us journey together, let us spread the word. The right mindset is POWER.

Vincent Ogutu, Business Coach, Author & Speaker at VOVO Valuable Observations I help organizations and individuals transform and Thrive

[1] https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---dgreports/---dcomm/documents/briefingnote/wcms_755910.pdf

[2] https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Future_of_Jobs_2020.pdf

[3] https://www.weforum.org/reports/the-future-of-jobs-report-2023/