Pivot
Jenny Blake and Gildan Media, LLC
19 min
6 Key Points
4.5 RateWhat's inside?
Explore strategies to adapt and thrive in your career by making your next move your best one, using the concept of 'Pivot'.
You'll learn
1. Tips for changing your job or business2. Finding and using your strong points3. Handling fear and risk when things change4. Building a team to help you change5. Why you should keep learning and adapting6. Staying positive and open to opportunities during change.Key points
01What's pivot in career strategy all about?
Ever felt like you're stuck in a career rut, climbing a ladder that seems to lead nowhere? You're not alone. Many of us have been conditioned to view career progression as a linear path, a steady climb up the corporate ladder. But what if there's another way? Enter the concept of 'Pivot', a career strategy that encourages lateral moves instead of vertical ascents. In the traditional career ladder model, you start at the bottom and work your way up, often in the same company or industry. It's a straightforward path, but it can also be limiting. You're confined to a specific role or field, and opportunities for growth can be scarce, especially in today's fast-paced, ever-changing job market. On the other hand, 'Pivot' proposes a different approach. Instead of climbing up, you move sideways. You transition into a new role or industry, leveraging your existing skills and experiences while acquiring new ones. It's like playing chess; sometimes, the best move isn't forward but to the side. Lateral moves can be a game-changer in your career. They offer a chance to explore new territories, learn new skills, and gain fresh perspectives. It's like taking a detour on a road trip. Sure, it might take a bit longer to reach your destination, but the journey is more enriching, and you get to see and experience things you wouldn't have on the main road. Let's look at some real-life examples. Consider the case of a marketing executive who pivoted into product management. She leveraged her understanding of consumer behavior and market trends to guide product development, effectively bridging the gap between marketing and product teams. Or the software engineer who pivoted into data science, using his coding skills to analyze and interpret complex data sets. In both cases, the pivot not only led to career advancement but also opened up new opportunities and challenges. These examples illustrate the power of the 'Pivot' strategy. It's not about abandoning your past experiences or starting from scratch. It's about building on what you already have, expanding your horizons, and steering your career in a direction that aligns with your interests, skills, and aspirations. So, next time you feel stuck in your career, remember: you don't have to keep climbing the same ladder. You can pivot. You can make a lateral move that takes you closer to where you want to be. After all, in the game of career progression, the only move that matters is your next one. So, what's your next move going to be?
02The 4-stage process to successful career pivoting
Ever felt like you're stuck in a career rut, spinning your wheels but not really getting anywhere? You're not alone. Many of us reach a point in our careers where we feel dissatisfied, unfulfilled, or simply bored. We yearn for something new, something different, something more. But the prospect of changing careers can be daunting. It's like standing at the edge of a cliff, peering into the unknown. It's scary, it's uncertain, and it's easy to feel overwhelmed. That's where a structured approach to career pivoting comes in. Think of it as a roadmap, guiding you through the wilderness of career change. It's a step-by-step process that helps you navigate the uncertainties, overcome the challenges, and make your next career move with confidence. This process involves four stages: Plant, Scan, Pilot, and Launch. Each stage plays a crucial role in your career pivot, and understanding them can make the difference between a successful transition and a failed one. The first stage, Plant, is all about laying the groundwork for your career pivot. It's like preparing a garden bed before you plant the seeds. You need to assess yourself, identify your strengths, and understand what you really want from your career. This involves introspection, self-reflection, and a lot of honesty. It's about asking yourself tough questions and being willing to face the answers. Next comes the Scan stage. This is where you start looking for new opportunities, like a radar scanning the horizon. It involves research, networking, and learning new skills. You need to keep your eyes and ears open, be curious, and be willing to step out of your comfort zone. It's about exploring the possibilities and seeing what's out there. The third stage, Pilot, is about testing the waters before you dive in. It's like a pilot testing a plane before a full flight. You need to gain practical experience, gather insights, and validate your ideas. This could involve taking on a side project, volunteering, or shadowing someone in your desired field. It's about learning by doing and gaining a real-world perspective. Finally, there's the Launch stage. This is where you fully commit to your new path, like a rocket launching into space. It's about making the leap, taking the risk, and embracing the change. It requires courage, determination, and a whole lot of faith in yourself. In conclusion, career pivoting is not a leap into the unknown, but a structured process that involves planting, scanning, piloting, and launching. It's about making informed decisions, taking calculated risks, and embracing change with confidence. So, if you're feeling stuck in your career, remember: the only move that matters is your next one. Make it count.
Continue reading with LeapAhead app
Full summary is waiting for you in the app
03Overcoming fears in making a career pivot
04Building a Successful Pivot Portfolio: Skills, Experiences, and Connections
05Pivoting as a Lifestyle: Staying Adaptable in a Changing Work Environment
06Conclusion
About Jenny Blake and Gildan Media, LLC
Jenny Blake is a career and business strategist, speaker, and former Career Development program manager at Google. Gildan Media, LLC is a leading publisher of audiobooks and other audio content, specializing in self-development, personal growth, and business success.