3 Must-Have Skills For Successful Career Pivot

Written by: Tim Nash, Executive Contributor

Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.

Here’s a no-brainer observation from someone who’s been part of the workforce since the mid-1990’s:

Pre 2020 work life = VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous).

Post 2020 work life = VUCA on steroids.

Due to the increased uncertainty of post-2020 world, you never know when you might need to pivot – transition away from a job, company, or industry into a new one.

The ability to navigate VUCA was a super in-demand skill in the not-too-distant past – quickly adapting to change, juggling job roles, etc.

However, before you can navigate something, you’ve got to survive it…hence, unexpected career pivot.

To make a successful career pivot several things need to fall into place.

Looking back on 4 successful pivots over my 25-year career, I have distilled 3 MUST-HAVE elements that are critical for success:

1. CURIOSITY

2. COURAGE

3. CONFIDENCE

There are other factors to consider, of course. But without these 3, success is out of your reach.

After 4 ½ years in the world of academia, I got my first real job in the Finance industry – a sexy sector at the time.

Despite the newfound security I felt carrying a shiny leather briefcase in my grown-up suit and tie, I started to wonder about other opportunities – there had to be more to life than sitting behind a desk all day in a stale office building. I was 23 going on 63.

Walking away from the safety and comfort of my Retirement Investment job, I decided to teach English overseas.

I knew nothing about teaching and hadn’t studied English. Nevertheless, I was dissatisfied with my static job and was curious about work and life in another part of the world.

Coming to MUST-HAVE C 1, CURIOSITY propelled me into action.

What else is out there? What would it feel like to do something else?

If you have started to feel dissatisfied in your job or simply curious about other work opportunities, here’s a question to get you thinking –

In your professional life so far, what have you experienced that you could imagine yourself doing (e.g. the consultant who helped my team survive a complex merger)?

Here’s an actionable tip and mindset to guide you:

Tip: Find someone who has done this job and ask her or him specific questions about it (e.g. What are the top 3 skills you need in this job?).

Mindset: Gather information, do the research.

OK, but I was at the beginning of my career and didn’t have much to lose, right?

Yes, but…it took a lot of COURAGE to leap into the unknown – MUST-HAVE C no 2.

It takes COURAGE to step away from the safe and familiar. To take a risk on something that has no guarantee of success.

If you feel a lot of resistance when thinking about leaving your work situation, here are 3 strong arguments to help minimize your fears:

1. Whatever happens, you’ll learn from it. And grow because of it.

2. You are dissatisfied with your status quo – the whole reason for desired career pivot!

3. You can always go back to what you were doing before.

Here’s a powerful mantra to help you stay brave and keep your eyes on the goal:

Break status quo to grow.

Finally, in order to confront your fears and keep your eyes on the goal, you need a big dose of CONFIDENCE. MUST-HAVE C no 3.

By the way, how would it affect your confidence if you managed to make a successful CAREER PIVOT?

Actionable tip: List the top 3 potential benefits:

1. (e.g. more energy for my kids)

2. 
   
3. 
   

Guiding mindset – Nothing builds confidence like success!

One thing I have learned again and again is that career pivots don’t always go like you wish or expect them to – another reason why CONFIDENCE is so important for successful implementation.

Without enough CONFIDENCE, you could be tempted to turn back at the first roadblock.

An unexpected delay might cause you to get scared and revert to your status quo.

Just remember – Break status quo to grow.

As a “thank you” for engaging with me, here’s the CAREER PIVOT ACTIONABLE CHECKLIST that can move you into action.

For my hands-on guidance and direction, check out the CAREER PIVOT 1-TO-1 COACHING PROGRAM.

Wherever you are in your journey, I wish you lots of success in your next steps!

Thanks for reading,

Tim

For regular tips and closer interaction, connect with me on LinkedIn.

Read more from Tim!

Tim Nash, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Tim Nash is on a mission to help senior professionals escape their energy-zapping maze, focus on what matters and pave the way for success. Via the empowering principles of Gestalt, he guides his clients below the surface to overcome what is preventing them from performing at their best.

For over two decades, Tim has helped young professionals to C-level executives lead and collaborate across cultures. He is also the founder of The Path To Peak Performance which includes his dynamic coaching practice and American Transplant web series.