Collaborative Articles #4

“We’re unlocking community knowledge in an all new way. It starts with an article on a professional topic or skill . . . but it’s not complete without insights and advice from people with real-life experiences. We invited experts to contribute.”

Here are some more of my contributions . . .

Q: Here’s how you can develop strong leadership skills in the workplace

A: I hold an Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership (and an M.A. in Communications and a B.A. in Sociology). 20 years of schoolin’. All that formal education does not begin to approach what I learned taking courses with https://www.landmarkworldwide.com. That work (which took a few months and cost a fraction of what I paid to earn my degrees) has provided the context for everything else in my life. It is my secret weapon for building and leading teams. Although I haven’t participated in any of Landmark’s programs for decades, what I gained there has stuck with me and empowers all my interactions with other people . . . you may also want to consider psychotherapy. Really learn how you’re wired so your ego doesn’t interfere with your effectiveness.

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Q: How can you can navigate a panel interview with multiple interviewers?

A: Bottom line: you really can’t. You’re facing a corporate firing squad. If possible, begin to develop relationships beforehand - via the professional organizations you belong to - with people in the company who will likely be on your panel. That way you’ll have a friendly face or two during the interview. But lower your expectations before you go in. Panel interviews are designed to put you at a disadvantage. Take the pressure off yourself: think of it as a networking opportunity. Do your best to impress the panel – and ask if you can stay in touch with them afterwards. The workplace is fluid. Someone on the panel could move to another company and will remember you. They couldn’t hire you then, but may be able to hire you now.

Q: How can you transition to a new career if displaced by automation?

A: Whatever you’re doing – currently and in the future - assume that you’re going to be displaced. Start making plans for what’s next. Now. In any organization, labor is the biggest expense, so their goal is always to find ways to replace people with machines. This is impacting every industry. Live as if each job is temporary – because it is. bls.gov is the place to find the industries that are growing. Constantly talk to your colleagues to learn how you can leverage your skill set for the next job and the next industry, and the ones after that. Expect to be doing three things simultaneously: your current job, networking/self-marketing, and upskilling – for as long as you choose to remain in the workforce.

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