Some people know their eventual career path from an early age. Others are uncertain, switching disciplines in university or testing different fields and jobs after entering the workforce. Even when that initial career focus is achieved, we can be haunted by uncertainty as we seek success in volatile times.
But uncertainty can be an advantage, argues Scott Stirrett, founder and chief executive officer of Venture for Canada, which has helped more than 10,000 young professionals develop entrepreneurial skills. “I’ve raised over $80-million and learned that success isn’t about avoiding uncertainty – it’s about using it to your advantage,” he writes in The Uncertainty Advantage.
He believes the biggest competitive advantage in your career won’t be what you know but how well you handle not knowing. Success will hinge on your ability to embrace uncertainty about your future and discover ways to turn stumbling blocks into stepping stones.
“Forget about following in older generations’ footsteps – you’re blazing trails through completely uncharted territory. That traditional career path? It’s more like a maze now, and the walls keep moving,” he says.
He outlines six key pillars that can help you turn unpredictability to your advantage:
- Self-compassion: Treating yourself with genuine kindness and understanding is essential for navigating life’s challenges. “Rather than engaging in harsh self-criticism when facing setbacks or failures, self-compassion encourages us to maintain mindful awareness of our pain while responding with gentle understanding, replacing our inner critic with a kinder, more supportive voice,” he says, treating ourselves as well as we would a friend in a stressful situation. It’s okay to not have all the answers – to be scared and uncertain. Acknowledging that the road ahead is daunting can be the first step to managing these emotions.
- Adaptability: The ability to adjust swiftly to new technologies, ever-changing work environments and shifting political situations distinguishes those who lead and succeed from those who fall behind. Today’s career isn’t a simple progression but a series of pivots, detours and unexpected opportunities. You need to embrace that unpredictability, responding effectively to change while maintaining your productivity and purpose.
- Antifragility: This is the ability of systems to improve and get stronger from stressors, volatility and disorder. Unlike mere resilience, which involves withstanding adversity, antifragility invites you to grow stronger in the face of stress. You need to embrace challenges rather than shy away from them. You need to actively seek experiences that push your boundaries, such as trying new activities or exploring unfamiliar places. That might involve bold moves early in your career such as leaving a stable career to start a high-risk venture, taking an extended sabbatical to immerse yourself in new fields or relocating to a new city or country.
- Generalist skills: As routine tasks become automated, skills such as reading a room, managing diverse personalities and finding creative solutions to complex problems will become vital. In particular, effective communication and the ability to work collaboratively across diverse teams is growing in importance. “Technical skills are crucial for getting your foot in the door. But they’re like fashion trends – what’s hot today might be obsolete tomorrow. The real magic happens when you combine technical knowledge with timeless generalist skills,” he writes.
- Entrepreneurial mindset: This is a way of engaging with the world that transforms obstacles into opportunities, uncertainties into possibilities and setbacks into stepping stones. It involves the ability to spot hidden possibilities where others see only problems and the courage to act decisively in the face of uncertainty. You must leverage opportunities to create value for yourself and others.
- Strong network: Building robust professional relationships in a volatile world can provide essential support and open doors to new opportunities. Networking, he stresses, isn’t some formal, intimidating process but a matter of showing up, being curious and making real connections.
Above all, you must stop complaining about uncertainty and learn to take advantage of it. “Uncertainty is not your enemy, but your teacher,” he says.
Quick hits
- Career coach Alan Kearns draws this lesson from Jeremy Hansen, who is slated to be the first Canadian to travel to the moon, after years of dedicated training in an era obsessed with speed: Most people say, “I want to be,” but few say, “I won’t give up until I am.”
- Career coach Jenny Wood highlights in her newsletter the importance of not drowning in “non-promotable work” that helps the organization keep functioning but not you to shine. Check how many such tasks you have taken on, learn to say no in future such bids for your time and volunteer for one big thing this quarter that illuminates your abilities.
- Use the best idea you have right now, advises author James Clear. Claiming you need to “learn more” or “get your ducks in a row” is just a crutch that prevents you from starting. You will always need to learn more.
Harvey Schachter is a Kingston-based writer specializing in management issues. He, along with Sheelagh Whittaker, former CEO of both EDS Canada and Cancom, are the authors of When Harvey Didn’t Meet Sheelagh: Emails on Leadership.