Small Actions

1. Craft Your "Combo Specialist" Identity for Career Resilience

You can gradually change your specializations into new areas as you combine your core and secondary skills with your interests.

Beyond Generalist vs. Specialist. In today's rapidly changing job market, being either a generalist or a one-dimensional specialist is a risky proposition. The key is to become a "combo specialist," blending your primary expertise with secondary skills and personal interests to create a unique and adaptable professional profile. This approach provides a competitive edge and allows for career pivots as industries evolve.

McDonald's Analogy. Think of your career like a McDonald's combo meal:

• The burger represents your primary specialization.
• The fries are your secondary skills.
• The Coke is your personal interests.

Adaptability and Enjoyment. By combining your core skills with secondary abilities and personal interests, you create a more resilient and fulfilling career path. This allows you to adapt to industry disruptions and enjoy your work more by integrating your passions into your daily tasks.

2. Cultivate a Second Career for Holistic Fulfillment

I try to get each component from a different job or interest: banking gives me money; teaching gives me meaning; and speaking and writing give me happiness.

Beyond the Employment Contract. Expecting a single job to provide complete fulfillment is unrealistic. Most employment contracts focus solely on the exchange of time and services for money, neglecting the essential elements of meaning and happiness. To achieve a more balanced and fulfilling life, it's crucial to cultivate a second career or meaningful interests outside of your primary job.

Benefits of a Side Gig. A second career offers numerous advantages:

• Skill diversification
• Increased fulfillment
• Expanded network
• Improved performance in your main career
• Additional income

Prioritize and Declare. While pursuing a side career, it's essential to maintain a good relationship with your boss and ensure that your primary job always takes priority. Charge a fee for your side work and declare it to your company to ensure transparency and legitimacy.

3. Navigate the Boss Landscape: Seek Mentors, Manage Challenges

In our careers, many of us prioritize pay and working for a big brand, but having a boss who believes in you is more important as it allows you to grow in confidence and fulfill your potential.

The Power of a Supportive Boss. Working for a manager who believes in your potential is invaluable. Such a boss fosters innovation, makes your job more enjoyable, and provides opportunities for growth. A supportive manager can significantly impact your career trajectory and overall job satisfaction.

Outlasting a Bad Boss. While ideal, supportive managers are not always the reality. To navigate challenging boss relationships:

• Help other departments to build a strong internal network.
• Cultivate relationships with your boss's superiors.
• Maintain high performance standards.

Research Before Accepting. Before accepting a role, research your potential manager to understand their management style and personality. Talking to former colleagues can provide valuable insights and help you prepare for the working relationship.

4. Embrace the CEO Mindset: Invest in Your Career Growth

As a CEO, you should buy your own subscriptions, gadgets, and training courses and work out your own solutions to career problems.

Beyond Employee Expectations. Instead of viewing yourself as a mere employee, adopt the mindset of a CEO running your own consulting firm. This shift in perspective encourages you to take ownership of your career, invest in your development, and proactively seek solutions to challenges.

Intrapreneurial Action. Thinking like a CEO means being intrapreneurial within your current company. This involves making bolder, more innovative decisions and taking charge of your professional growth.

Financial and Psychological Relief. By embracing the CEO mindset, you gain a greater sense of autonomy and control over your career, leading to increased meaning and fulfillment. This also involves being willing to spend your own money to enhance your skills and overcome obstacles.

5. Seize Opportunities, Even When the Timing Is Inconvenient

Great opportunities come at inconvenient times.

The Imperfect Moment. Waiting for the perfect moment to seize an opportunity often leads to missed chances. Great opportunities rarely present themselves at convenient times, requiring you to step outside your comfort zone and embrace the challenge.

Relocation and Passion. Be willing to relocate or make other significant changes to pursue valuable opportunities. This may involve selling possessions, renting out your home, or adjusting your personal life.

Alvin's Example. The story of Alvin, a CEO who made time to teach despite his son's important exam, illustrates the power of seizing the moment. By making a last-minute commitment, Alvin reignited his passion for teaching and opened doors to numerous opportunities.

6. Infuse Your Job with Personal Interests for Enhanced Enjoyment

Your workplace interests will help you build relationships with colleagues. They will also help you get through the tough times and do those mundane tasks because you’ll have something to look forward to and energize you.

Beyond the Mundane. Even your dream job can have its unpleasant moments. To combat boredom and frustration, integrate your personal interests into your work to make it more enjoyable and fulfilling.

Examples of Integration. Consider these options:

• Teaching colleagues new skills
• Exploring new cuisines during business meals
• Organizing networking events
• Incorporating creative work into presentations
• Taking photos and videos at company events
• Combining exercise with business travel
• Writing articles about your field of expertise

Building Relationships. By incorporating your interests into your work, you not only make your job more enjoyable but also build stronger relationships with colleagues and clients. This creates a more positive and supportive work environment.

7. Brand Yourself Consistently, Both Online and Offline

You need to help others remember you. So be different … but in the same way!

The Power of Consistency. Building a strong personal brand requires consistency in both your online and offline presence. This involves presenting a unified image, message, and set of values across all platforms.

Visual Branding. Develop a consistent visual style, such as wearing the same colors or accessories, to make yourself more recognizable. This helps people remember you and associate you with a specific image.

Online Presence. Maintain a consistent profile across all social media platforms, using the same professional photo and title. Tailor your content to each platform while staying true to your core brand message.

8. Build Social Capital Through Genuine Connections and Generosity

Social capital is the good will that you gradually build up with others.

Beyond Networking Events. Social capital is the goodwill you accumulate through genuine interactions and acts of kindness. It's about building long-term relationships based on trust and mutual respect.

High-Quality Connections. Focus on building high-quality connections (HQCs) with people who inspire you, challenge you, and offer complementary skills. These relationships can provide invaluable support and opportunities throughout your career.

The Power of Generosity. Be generous with your time, knowledge, and resources. Help others without expecting immediate returns, and assume they will achieve great things in the future.

9. Master the Art of Persuasion, Communication, and Negotiation (PIN)

By highlighting the non-compliant nature of that bank’s proposal, I gave him a way out of his tight spot.

The 3Ps Method. Persuasion, impactful communication, and negotiation are essential skills for career success. The 3Ps method (Perseverance, Perspective, Positivity) can help you turn "no" into "yes" in various situations.

Understanding Priorities. Effective communication involves understanding the other person's priorities and addressing their concerns. This requires empathy, active listening, and the ability to frame your message in a way that resonates with their needs.

The Power of Storytelling. Use stories to illustrate your points and make your message more memorable. Stories with a clear setting, conflict, and resolution are particularly effective.

10. Remember: You're Always Selling Yourself

I’ve learned from experience that being active on social media can increase the chances of business opportunities coming your way.

The Seven Steps of Selling Yourself. Whether you're seeking a new job or a promotion, remember that you're always selling yourself. Follow these seven steps:

1. Identify your targets (insiders and connectors).
2. Build rapport and trust.
3. Identify their underlying needs.
4. Present solutions (sell benefits, not features).
5. Anticipate and overcome objections.
6. Execute (stay engaged).
7. Follow up (maintain relationships).

Benefits, Not Features. Focus on selling the benefits of your skills and experience, rather than simply listing your qualifications. Highlight how you can solve problems and add value to the organization.

The Importance of Social Media. Use social media, particularly LinkedIn, to showcase your skills, build your brand, and connect with potential employers and collaborators.

11. Turn Challenges into Opportunities: Resilience and Perspective

When your purpose is greater than your challenge, you can overcome your challenge.

The Power of Purpose. When faced with challenges, remember your purpose and the positive impact you can make. This can provide the motivation and resilience needed to overcome obstacles.

The 3Ps in Action. The 3Ps (Perseverance, Perspective, Positivity) can help you navigate difficult situations and turn them into opportunities. This involves staying persistent, understanding the other person's point of view, and maintaining a positive attitude.

Learning from SY. The story of SY, a charity worker who faced constant rejection, illustrates the power of purpose. By focusing on the good her work would do, she was able to stay motivated and overcome her challenges.

12. Embrace Lifelong Learning and Adaptability

If you want to go far, go together.

The Value of Collaboration. To achieve long-term success, embrace collaboration and seek out partners whose skills and strengths complement your own. This allows you to expand your knowledge base and reach new heights.

The Power of Partnerships. Working with others can provide new perspectives, skills, and opportunities that you wouldn't have access to on your own. This can involve partnering with colleagues, mentors, or even people outside your organization.

The Importance of Adaptability. In today's rapidly changing world, it's essential to be adaptable and willing to learn new skills. This involves staying curious, embracing new technologies, and being open to new experiences.

Last updated: April 19, 2025