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Have you ever been snatched up by an intense wind that swept you away from your destination?
What did you do? Did you respond like a cow or a buffalo?
It turns out that during gale-like winds, cows turn into it, attempting to control the disruption they are experiencing.
The action of fighting the force has the cow stuck in the squall way longer than the buffalo… who moves with the tempest and is in it for a shorter period as the mighty winds sweep over them.
How do AIs have any link to these bovines?
The cows thought they could return things as they were by struggling against the disruption.
In contrast, buffalos instinctively understood that going with the wind would shorten their time in the gale. Their response primed them for the shift about to occur.
How many years have futurists predicted that AIs are coming after our jobs? It’s no longer down the road. The acceleration of adopting AI intelligence is happening right now.
A recent analysis from the University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler Business School reveals that this technology surge impacts working women more than their male counterparts.
And the disruption occurs at higher levels in the organization than ever—even in executive positions.
Everywhere I turn, there’s another blog, podcast, or class on AIs! Here I am adding to the noise!
My blog aims to improve your career possibilities with two practical and easily implemented suggestions, including bits and pieces to THRIVE amidst challenging times.
First, if even the slightest bit of fear raises its ugly head, resist. This emotion is a tricky one because your senses are screaming warning, warning, warning. Yes. Sometimes fear is a crucial, natural, instinctive, and valuable signal for self-preservation.
But more often than not, it isn’t.
The circumstance-transforming question: “Is it real?”
So often, when clients and I peel away layers of resistance, at its root, fear is stalking.
What can you do? Let’s examine three practical, solid ways to transform the emotion of fear into far more powerful ones for your career.
- “How can you turn your fear into curiosity? as Sylvia Townsend Warner questions. Curiosity has you stepping outside of your comfort zone, facing your fears, and discovering a slew of new possibilities for yourself. And this is exactly the attitude that will have you being an executive who triumphs in an AI-driven world as you utilize the positive to carve out whole new opportunities for yourself through curiosity!
- Choose Hope Instead: Both fear and hope are imagining the future—one motivates the other kills it off. There is powerful evidence that hopeful executives are more likely to explore career opportunities as they continuously acquire new skills, and adapt to the ever-changing career landscape.
- Be Self–Confident: Seriously, what do you think about yourself? This factor is a key to your success and, more importantly, when dealing with today’s fast-changing work culture with AIs contesting for your jobs. Zenger-Folkman’s research found that the more self-confidence individuals have, the more willing they are to change.
If you’re underwhelmed with yourself, Zenger-Folkman has eight effective suggestions that are simple for anyone to initiate and, may I say, seemingly a bit superficial. But who cares if they boost your self-confidence?
- Think positive thoughts.
- Visualize the way you want to be.
- Avoid self-critiques.
- Make time for self-care.
- Repeat affirming quotes.
- Improve grooming and dress.
- Reject any negative thoughts.
- Look people in the eyes when speaking.
- Stand up straight.
Second, now is the time to shed your old ways faster than ever to reframe, reinvent, and transform.
Carol Dweck’s research, begun in 1980, offers solid advice for today’s AI onslaught.
She noticed that some students were easily discouraged when faced with setbacks, while others demonstrated resilience when challenged. Furthermore, their attitudes were strong predictors of future success or not.
Whether a child or adult, those with a Fixed Mindset aren’t able to change significantly. As a result, they tend to perceive challenges, such as AIs, as threats to their self-worth, fear failure, and avoid the situation, if possible, altogether, sticking rigidly to what they already know.
However, those with a Growth Mindset are curious about the future rather than stuck in the comfortable. They evolve and change.
A Growth Mindset has them persisting in the face of setbacks while welcoming new and difficult tasks—including working effectively in a culture that includes the ever-increasing presence of AIs.
If you remain static, with a Fixed Mindset, to all your skills, attributes, identity, and success in this new challenging world of AIs, you leave no room to acquire what you need to Thrive in today’s more dynamic marketplace.
Conversely, a Growth Mindset has you determining what you need to peel away because it’s no longer germane. Or assess what opportunities exist for you to willingly turnover to an AI sooner rather than later. Thus, giving yourself the chance and time to learn about or take ownership for more strategic responsibilities right now.
Business is certainly getting interesting for those who are up to it.
And remember, you have a unique capacity to love and serve. Lean into it. AIs can’t compete against such a force!
Related: Career Alley-Oops!