Part 3: 9 Reasons to Harness Your Brilliant Difference and Start Making Edge Moves in Your Career

Dear Leader,?

I left you around the holidays on a cliffhanger to my three-part series of nine reasons to harness your Brilliant Difference and start making Edge Moves at work.??

After all the resting, celebrating, and mingling, I promise you it’s worth the wait and will give you lots to think about as you enter your 2025 work year.??

In Edition 7, I talked about the first three reasons, which fall under Personal:?

1. Burnout and disengagement.??
2. Career well-being.??
3. Generational differences.?

In Edition 8, I covered the next three reasons, which fall under Organizational:?

4. Return to office.??

5. Proximity bias.??

6. Demand for skill evolution.?

And now, in Edition 9, I'm continuing with the final three reasons, which fall under External:?

7. AI advancement.??

8. Global competition.??

9. Digital presence requirements.???

Feel free to click those links and read the editions back-to-back if you haven’t read the previous ones. But if you’re all caught up, let’s see how AI, global competition, and digital presence requirements can impact your leadership and career. But more importantly, how you can overcome these obstacles and use them to your advantage to further your career and leadership.?

7. AI Advancement??

This isn’t news, but AI is vastly advancing, breaking through and taking over certain areas of industries. Think about how it’s already impacted our world in such a short timeframe. Imagine what it will look like in the future.??

Already, AI automation is integrated into two-thirds of U.S. jobs, and according to Goldman Sachs, people can expect 25-50% of their workload to be replaced by AI.?

Now, this will vary by industry. Let me give you an inside look at which industries and roles will be most impacted:?

While AI is new and ever evolving and will continue to have a foothold in the workplace, you have the opportunity to learn how you can leverage this technology in a way that aligns with your integrity, talents, team, and company’s mission. And one step beyond that, you get to push your boundaries and ask yourself: Where can I lean on my Brilliant Difference to shine beyond the capabilities of AI?

As impressive as AI may seem, it cannot replace human touch and your Brilliant Difference.

8. Global Competition

Before the pandemic, when you applied for a job, either within your organization or outside of it, your fishbowl was fairly small. It would consist of people within your geographical location. But now, with more diverse work models of remote and hybrid, you’re no longer just competing with people in the same town, but people in other countries.

While this 10xs your competition, it’s an opportunity to take a serious look at your Brilliant Difference and where you shine. It’s then understanding what makes you different, unique, and invaluable, and executing those through Edge Moves. For example, in a job interview process, it could look like updating your resume or LinkedIn profile.

9. Digital Presence Requirements

Speaking of LinkedIn... We live in a digital age, and while you may not want to be online, it can actually do wonders for your leadership and career:

• 87% of recruiters use LinkedIn to source and identify job candidates.
• People with 5 or more skills listed on their LinkedIn profile get contacted 33x more by recruiters.

Even if you’re not searching for a job, sharing your voice on a digital platform bolsters your thought leadership and makes networking a whole lot easier.

Now, you way think: Why would I post? I have nothing to say.

Chances are, you do. And chances are, what you have to say is vastly different and inspiring compared to others. This is where being crystal clear on your Brilliant Difference comes in handy. When you’re firm in who you are, what you do, how you do it, and the transformations you deliver for people, you’re secure in yourself and the value you have to offer. You’re clear about the topics you’re knowledgeable about and what you can share your perspective on.

Recap

Are these all challenges? Yes. But they’re also opportunities for you to utilize your Brilliant Difference to rise in your leadership and shine in your talents.

• AI is here to stay, but find how you can use it, as well as shine beyond it.
• People can source for jobs worldwide, so find and communicate what makes you different than anyone else in the world.
• It’s time to own your digital presence to bolster your thought leadership and expand your industry circle.

Yours truly,

Finka

Get clear on how to grow and step into your leadership in 2025. Download the Finka Inc. Career Advancement Forecast!?