Ten Winning Behaviors for the New Decade

As we start this new decade, the technology and cultural drivers for the years ahead seem abundantly clear. We’ll be able to connect virtually anything in our homes (and later offices) to the internet. Machine learning and deep learning will touch virtually every digital-ready product and power the accelerated innovation of industries. Robotics will permeate not just back-end functions but will find themselves embedded into front-facing roles as well (provided our cultural norms allow them to do so). Privacy and civil rights will be litigated like never before.

Perhaps the biggest question out there – one that will undoubtedly factor heavily into (Brendan's) my brother’s work later this month at his new gig as a labor economist at the Federal Reserve in D.C. (how cool is that??) – is how will these trends affect the labor market. How many (and which) jobs will we lose? How do we re-skill workers? What impacts will A.I. and Robotics have on our country, our domestic economy and our international relations? Will technology complete destroy our middle class and push troves and troves of people to poverty?

Unfortunately, I don’t profess to have all these answers (I'll leave that to Brendan) – the future is unpredictable enough that I don’t think anyone really knows. BUT for those of us who are wondering about impacts on us for the next many years, I’d like to propose 10 winning behaviors to ride out the coming wave.

1.      Transparency

Let’s start with the one that I feel is perhaps the most important one, and one where every day I see others who don’t agree. One where the consideration is personal as much as it is professional.

The debates now are whether data is more economically valuable than oil. If data is indeed so valuable (and of course, it is), then the stakes are higher, and every day we have more to lose if (when) that data is compromised.

While we certainly need to make every effort to protect our data, for those of us who don’t naively believe they are smarter than a motivated hacker, I think the best approach here (where possible) is to act in such a way that if your data did get exposed, the impacts would be marginalized.

On a personal level, this means trying to keep skeletons out of your closet (or if you do have them, at least being open about it with those in your innermost circle, if only to reduce future exposure risk). It means being honest with people – family and friends – rather than trying to placate others and reduce tension. It’s eliminating (or perhaps actually developing, if possible) fake relationships.

On a career level, this means speaking up when you aren’t happy, when you disagree with decisions (especially ethical and moral ones) or simply to share with key people what your ambitions are. Transparency eliminates a lot of guesswork (which is hugely valuable) and you’d be surprised how directly it can impact decision-making.

On a brand level, transparency is critical as well. Facebook, Boeing and Peloton are good examples of brands that have failed recently, whose actions in time of crisis (granted, we should care way more about Facebook and Boeing here) suggested a lack of transparency or interest in outside impact beyond the company’s financial statements. No company is perfect, but proactively transparent brands will find themselves better positioned with society, customers, partners and even shareholders.

In fewer words: Say what you mean, and do as you say.

2.      Original Thought

In finance class, you learned “Cash is King.” In marketing, you learned “Content is King.”

And Content surely still is.

It’s why I’m blogging. And probably (hopefully) why you’re reading this (if you’ve made it this far!) (Side note: it’s also why I’ll also soon periodically sprinkle in short form thoughts, to hopefully broaden audience and spark discussion).

I think we aren’t that far from technology impacting content in more significant ways. Unfortunately, thus far its greatest impact seems to be “fake news.”

But we still live in a human world.Most of us (self included) have insecurities. We don’t actually think we know it all. True original human thought can bring a level of honesty in its perspective that I think will be difficult for machines to match.

Most of us (self included) have insecurities. We don’t actually think we know it all. True original human thought can bring a level of honesty in its perspective that I think will be difficult for machines to match.

Technology is a change accelerator, and one of the worst phrases in the world is, “that’s how it’s done.” Tell it to Sears, Blockbuster and Nokia.

So bring out your ideas. Don’t plagiarize others - offer your perspectives. (Only you know what you know). Embrace debate. Don’t be afraid to be laughed at – it could be that they are the ones who are stupid.

In fewer words: Don't be a copycat.

3.      Rooting out Prejudice

We’ve all see it. I’ve seen it. We don’t want to admit it. You find someone who could be a fit for something, and when you volunteer the person’s name, they cringe.

It’s effing 2020. If you’re letting factors (and be honest with yourself here) like gender, race, orientation – hell, even your own professional branding of that person - impact your decision-making in hiring, project management, role assignment and the like, you are the problem – and you’re also short-circuiting your talent pool, by the way.

If irrelevant factors are impacting your thinking: You. Will. Lose.

Now with that said, I think it can go too far in the other direction as well. And this is my personal opinion and there are valid arguments to the contrary, but I do think we need to carefully phase down affirmative action over time. Too heavy a hand can have adverse results, and create divisiveness and distrust.

The approach here should be cultural – if you’re putting a team together for example, do not assume without asking that someone can’t do a role. You might be surprised, and the person you’re neglecting may just be the most motivated and capable person you have available to excel. Ask. Challenge. Test. Most people (except those you need to manage out) welcome opportunity.

In fewer words: Make decisions on merit.

4.      Personal Balance

We know some companies, moreso than others (wink) demonstrate and value flexibility. I think we know people like to be treated like people.

We’re all wired different and have different needs. I need both time with people and time to myself. I need to be active and outside, I need to stimulate my mind, I need to see progress with things, I need lazy days at the beach. I need my endorphins. I need time with the people I love. I need my coffee and fresh seafood.

I’m a morning person; 80% of my ideas come before 10 o’clock. Like a phone battery, I depreciate over the course of the day. At night, I don’t want to think too much or I won’t sleep. So I try and capitalize on morning time, and chill out later in the day. Getting things done early relaxes me later on.

You need to know who you are. To thrive, you need to nurture (and not neglect) every single part of what it is that makes you, you.

How often do you need to nurture each of these things? How do you respond when you neglect them? Stress, frustration and resentment won't benefit you anywhere.

I do question whether social media is that thing for most people. Depression, opioid use, anti-social behavior are all up. Take the time to think about and make time for what you personally need.

In fewer words: Put your oxygen mask on first, then assist other customers.

5.      Continuous Learning

Be curiouser and curiouser.

Products and services are coming together in new, never-thought-about ways each and every day. Nurture your brain. Allow your thoughts to travel.

The human brain is a fascinating thing, and by widening what you know, and challenging what you think you know, it multiplies the synaptic connections you’re able to fire off which are critical for idea generation, logical thinking and problem solving.

In business, when you’re presenting an idea – perhaps pitching something that is important for your career – what will get you considered is if you can demonstrate you’ve truly thought your topic through. The presentation is less important than how you handle the questions you receive. If your mind is open, you’ll be able to better anticipate questions and prepare for them. You’ll have already thought through (and hopefully built in to your presentation) multiple approaches, and you’ll be in the best position to speak towards why your proposed approach is the one to go with.

Technology will enable greater creativity and more possibilities. If you can synthesize those down, that’s hugely valuable in the decisioning process. Higher-ups need to act faster on decisions, so speed matters.

In fewer words: When your brain stops, you die.

6.      Early Tech Adoption

I was about to say ‘for those of us in the tech industry’ – but let's be honest, we’re all in the tech industry.

Beyond those technologies I earlier mentioned, Voice, VR/AR, 3D Printing, etc. – the path of some seem more clear than others – and not all technologies reach their potential (especially if they are surpassed by something else before they can find their footing).

The traditional technology curve evolves from Innovators to Early Adopters to Early Majority and so on. Some people are creators more than others, and some people’s alarm clocks go off early on the day of a big tech release, and others don’t.

I’m far from perfect in this regard, and there is data risk to consider, but generally speaking I do think the people who push themselves towards the front of the tech curve are more likely to be the decade’s winners.

So if you can afford to do so, buy that new gadget if it's something you think will expose you to something totally new.

In fewer words: The early bird gets the worm

7.      Preparedness & Contingency Planning

What if I told you that your job today won’t exist 6 months from now? And I don’t mean at your current company, I mean what if there is no longer a need for what you do.

(Don’t worry, my point here isn't that your job is dead).

This decade’s winners will be on offense at all times. (Unless you plan to retire and are 100% certain you’re financially set) you need to continually sharpen your tool set. You need to be thinking about which skills and experiences you have are valuable and translatable. You need to think about career adjacencies. You need to be advocating to your superiors for opportunities to contribute in new areas.

While you can’t make your job bulletproof, you need to make yourself richly valuable to where you, in fact, ARE.

And in doing so, you'll open more doors, and you'll have the freedom to play offense (be proactive and chart your own course) or defense (optimize your scenario when cards are dealt).

In fewer words: Prepare for the worst (and the best)

8.      Adaptability & Openness to Change

Sharpening your skills is the physical aspect, but there is a mental aspect worth mentioning here as well. We all know (maybe we are one of those) people who feel comfortable and wish nothing more than the disruption of change.

As Walter White said at the beginning of Breaking Bad:

Chemistry is, well technically, chemistry is the study of matter. But I prefer to see it as the study of change.

When elements interact, it sparks change. That change may be welcome or unwelcome, but either way, it’s non-negotiable.

If you haven’t already, you’re going to face a scenario where you can choose to embrace or not embrace change (including, quite likely, change you have not fully anticipated). You might lose your job, be transferred into a new role or given greater responsibility than you think you’re ready for.

Naturally, you’ll need to make certain immediate changes to adapt, but for many it’s the mental aspect that consumes their time in the immediacy of change.

From a mental standpoint, you should consider a ‘roll with the punches’ mentality. This isn’t to diminish your role in shaping your future outcomes (quite to the contrary, I think that’s hugely important) but you need to be ready for whatever might get thrown at you. If you come in to change "mentally ready," you’ll be able to succeed that much faster, and likely gain recognition from others for your ability to adapt and grow.

In fewer words: Humans evolve

9.      Financial Planning

Are you blindly trusting historical trends to inform your financial future? Are you counting on the government and entitlements to ensure your future safety and security (much less prosperity)? Are you sure that buying property is a good investment when nobody wants to own things anymore?

I do think there are valuable concepts to borrow – diversification, timeline risk, etc. – however you really need to plan your financial future for yourself. While largely the sad reality of slow wage inflation and rising costs (especially in certain parts of the country), I still find the statistics alarming and really, really scary with regards to how many people are living paycheck to paycheck.

I have high admiration for people who come from difficult upbringings and are maxing themselves out and are ‘getting by’ through force of will, especially when they find the capacity and invest their time and money into working their way into a more comfortable situation. We’ve all seen the recent headlines about how millennials are the first generation not to be better off than their parents. The economic challenges – in the labor economy, from globalization, in our education system, our health care costs – these are real problems.

At the same time, I have also observed people who live paycheck to paycheck unnecessarily as a result of poor decision-making, over-spending (especially debt spending) and a general lack of ambition.

You need to be real with your financial situation. And you need a plan to ensure your security.

You need a complete grasp of anything you sign on to, and to have considered the repercussions. History shows yesterday's housing crisis (with its albatross loan vehicles) will spring back up somewhere else, with a new generation of suckers.

In fewer words: All People Are [Money] People

10.  Using Advanced Logic

I talked early about firing off your synapses, and those who know me, know that I'm the quick witted type. Well, nothing in my life has done more than to open my mind than The Simpsons (which I can and should bring in to every one of my blogs).

Consider this line from ‘The Secret War of Lisa Simpson.’ (1997)

The wars of the future will not be fought on the battlefield or at sea. They will be fought in space, or possibly on top of a very tall mountain. In either case, most of the actual fighting will be done by small robots. And as you go forth today remember always your duty is clear: To build and maintain those robots.

We’re in that future now. And while "build and maintain" struck me as ‘manufacturing’ at the time, clearly it’s the actual learning and intelligence of robots and systems that we actually need to build and maintain.

Unfortunately, in its highest form, this last one isn’t really an option for everyone. Some people just have better natural skill with math and with problem solving. I think it’s an area you can grow, but it’s a relatively small proportion of the population from where the greatest value here is going to come long term (I think).

Businesses are starting to adapt from ‘Chief Marketing Officers’ to ‘Chief Growth Officers.’ The good news is there’s capacity to do well if you can present ideas beyond what your competition is doing, and demonstrate the return on the investment required to ‘build … those robots’ to do what it is you’re proposing (likely at the opportunity cost of something else).

But it’s the game-changing applications that will define the titans of industry. And if it’s obvious enough, you probably won’t be the only person to think of it.

So if you’re one of those people, stop everything you’re doing, and channel it in the right places. And for god’s sake, use it for good.

In fewer words: Be brilliant