Ready for the next opportunity ? 6 tips

As a consequence of the pandemic and a degree of continuing uncertainty, organisations and businesses will change significantly. Business models and workforce requirements will change as well. At an individual level, these changes can have significant impact. Preparing well can convert the fallout of the changes into opportunity. Opportunities could be there (actually are always there) in terms of roles within or outside the current organisation or setting of one's work. Opportunities may also be present in terms of doing other things in the current role.

As a professional, 4 broad areas need attention:

• Understanding the changes in the context and how they relate to current or future role
• What attitudes, knowledge and skills will be relevant for the future
• Willingness and ability to make changes personally, and
• Support required to make these changes, and adjusting the new reality.

There are six questions that each of us must delve into, reflect on and create an action plan to be able to best leverage the opportunities that may come our way.

And what's more, focus on these questions may well help in not just responding to opportunities, but creating new opportunities for oneself as well.

The 4+ 2 areas of reflection

1. What is changing with this opportunity? Stakeholders, metrics, other contextual factors. One of my ex colleagues taught me this. Take a A4 sheet of paper and write down the new job/role/opportunity. (writing allows reflection but you could type if you wish). Start by defining 3 metrics that will define success in the role. Map all stakeholders linked to that job, and categorise A,B and C--how important are they to influence. Then articulate the contextual factors that will change. Here is an example from a colleague.

2. What have I learnt that I can apply in my new role?

3.What have I learnt which is likely to hold me back and so I would need to give up?

4.What new things do I need to learn in the short and long run?

Question 2, 3 and 4 go together in some ways so here is a sample of what answer to these can look like. This should be followed up with an action plan for each item of learning or unlearning.

One key aspect, we often mistake superficial knowledge or awareness for actual deep knowledge of a subject or skill. So when reflecting for oneself in terms of readiness for future roles, honesty about real knowledge and skills we have is important.

And then come questions 5 and 6. Working through questions 1 to 4 and then getting to these two is most useful, although you could attempt the questions in any order.

5. How do I best define the new opportunity? What is going to be different?

6. Why am I excited by this new opportunity?

These two enquiries are more about deciding whether this opportunity is for you. Often these two questions helps make decisions on:

*which opportunities to really target

*what are the chances of actually getting this opportunity, and

*how much stretch will be required to make a success of the opportunity at hand?

Opportunities are all around us. Working through in a systematic, practical manner, with a hand on the heart may be the best way to make them work for each of us.

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Bimal Rath is an author and entrepreneur. He is interested in and supports the coming alive of human potential in all his pursuits. To get a hint of his professional work in "helping organisations leverage their talent better" visit thinktalent.co