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2020 has been a textbook example of the VUCA world: it’s been volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous. Let’s talk about the mantra for success in the new year. Let’s discuss the new currency of 2021.
Let’s start with a story. A story from my career.
When I started my career in software development, I worked for many start-ups. I played several roles in the projects. Although I started as a developer, the needs of the business have driven me to play many more roles. I was a database administrator for some time, then did business development, called on the clients for closing the deals, came back to the office to write down the requirements as a business analyst, then spent weekends and late nights to sit and write code. Given these were startups and small teams, I knew pretty much every small detail about the project. After spending a few years like this, came my big break.
I was hired to set up an R&D center. It came as a surprise to me at that time because I knew that the company was talking to many people with great credentials and experience. After I accepted the offer, my boss took me out for dinner. I asked him why I was picked. He smiled and said something that I remember to this day.
He said, “you are right. There were many candidates who were better qualified and more experienced than you. But, we have hired you for your ability to learn new things quickly and deliver”.
That’s the first time I realized the importance of skills. Of course, skills are the new currency. In fact, that’s the only currency that hasn’t gone out of fashion ever. Its value is always growing with every passing year. And 2021 is no exception.
Let’s look at 2020 in retrospect. There are very few industries if, at all any, that remained the same. Every single industry, domain, line of work, job that I am aware, has changed. Changed significantly. Organizations had to learn many things. Employees had to learn many things. Families had to learn many things. Even kids had to learn many things that weren’t expected of them at all. After attending the online classes for the last six months, my 10-year-old daughter beats me in using zoom. She knows a gazillion hacks that I did not even know existed!
Now contrast that with what we had to do at work. Two years ago, when we moved to online meetings, my organization invested millions of hours to train our workforce to use the technology. Hundreds of thousands of dollars went into designing courses, scheduling training, and ensuring that the entire organization picked up the skill.
As I think of it now, it seems bizarre that we had to do it that way and it cost us that much, what 10-year-olds are doing effortlessly now. 2020 showed us the possibilities. It changed our perspective.
There are many lessons that 2020 taught us. Among them is the mantra for ever-lasting success in your career. That’s the new currency of 2021. “Skills” is the new currency of 2021.
You build the skills to be relevant. You learn new things so that you can ride the wave. You learn, practice, and improve. You evolve.
When this happens, when you are a role model of growth-mindset, your boss wants you in her team. Your team wants to work for you. Your organization wants to recognize you. Your competition wants to get inspired. The industry wants to listen to you and learn.
Remember, “Skills are the currency of 2021”.
Here are the three do’s and don’ts of building skills. These are from my experience and have given me great results.
Do’s
- Be open: My mentor a long time ago told me that our mind is like a parachute. It only works when it’s open. So, be open-minded. Be open to the possibilities. You never know what’s in store for you. Albert Einstein said that the mind that opens to a new idea never returns to its original size. Considering all possibilities and working with the most practical ideas is a sign of growth. So, be open.
- Be curious: We have all learned in our childhood that “curiosity kills the cat”. When it comes to jobs and careers, nothing can be further from the truth. On the contrary, it’s the curiosity that gets you ahead in your career. Remember that millions saw the apple fall. But Newton asked why! It is in fact a confession of ignorance. That requires courage. There are no foolish questions. Knowing how to question will take you a long way, not only in your career but also in your life. Be curious.
- Be teachable: Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other. You should always be willing to learn. Unlearn. Relearn. Things are changing super fast these days. What we have learned in our life is useful but may not give us the success we deserve. Learning is the most important skill that gets you ahead irrespective of circumstances.
So, being open-minded, being curious, and willing to learn, and unlearn are three keys to pick up skills.
Don’ts
- Don’t be the victim of the ‘arrival syndrome’: When you think you have arrived, perhaps you are right. You have arrived and that’s the end of your growth. Arrival syndrome is usually the result of a lack of interest and enthusiasm to move ahead. Lethargy kicks in and end of the story! Remember that success is never-ending and failure is never final. So please don’t fall for the “I have arrived” syndrome.
- Don’t look into the rearview mirror to drive ahead: I have come across many people who boast about their past accomplishments and bet their future success on their past accomplishments. A dangerous trap. Yes, it is important to recognize your past accomplishments. They have a place in your career and your life. They are a result of your blood, sweat, and tears. Of course, you will have to be very proud of them. Remember what the mutual fund advertisement says: past performance is not a guarantee of future results. The same applies to your career. Build on your past accomplishments, draw from those experiences, and become wiser. If you want to drive ahead, don’t depend on the rearview mirror — look straight.
- Don’t settle: The mantra is continuous improvement. There is always a better, faster, cheaper, productive way to do things. You have reached a milestone — great! Congratulations!! Maybe you can take a brief pause to celebrate your accomplishment. And then move on. Retrospect. Learn from your mistakes. Think of the ways you could do it better and faster next time. Build on your experience and consolidate your expertise. Don’t settle.
So, there you go. Skills are the currency of 2021. And these are some tips and techniques that gave me great results in my career. Hope you find them useful too.