A few years ago, the professional growth mindset was something entrepreneurs and avid career-oriented people needed. Now, it is one of the essential career skills for anyone who wants to future-proof their job and stay relevant in the labour market. Doing your bit is not good enough for employers. Nor is enduring the 9-5 grind for employees. The future of the workplace is being reshaped under our eyes by AI and other technologies. So, in order to enjoy a thriving career, you have to adapt and reskill yourself. But what are career growth strategies and what type of skills should you develop? The Olinio recruitment experts have the answer:
1. Creative Thinking
One thing that AI cannot do is provide an original and creative solution to a problem. These models are trained on real-world data, but they lack human intelligence and creativity. For this reason, creative thinking is one of the most important professional growth mindset skills. This is what makes employees valuable, and prompts employers to develop loyalty and recognition strategies. A unique approach to a problem, a simpler and more efficient way of performing a task – these are game-changers that can put a company ahead of its competitors. And employers are looking to attract and retain people who can provide this kind of value.
2. Active Listening
We live in a very noisy world – in every sense of the word. We are bombarded with irrelevant information from any device we use – and we use an increasing number of internet-connected devices. Knowing how to listen for relevant information and understand the interlocutor’s true meaning has become a valuable skill. Paradoxically, the more means of communication we have, the less effective communication takes place. For people with a professional growth mindset, focusing exclusively on their interlocutor and having the emotional intelligence to respond thoughtfully is second nature. They actively cultivate this skill and use it in every interaction, with every person.
3. Stress Management
Let’s face it, we cannot run away from stress. It has become inextricably embedded in our modern lifestyle. Thus, the ability to manage stress is one of the key skills for the future workplace. You cannot perform well if you let stress control you. And you are not a pleasant collaborator and company when you are “fuming” under stress. It is your own responsibility to find effective ways to manage stress, such as:
- Practicing mindfulness or yoga
- Doing sports
- Taking breaks to clear your mind
- Starting a relaxing hobby
- Listening to calming music.
Of course, this approach requires cooperation from your employer. The good news is that companies are increasingly aware of the need to support their employees’ mental health through work/life balance benefits and initiatives.
4. Goal-Setting
How far do you want to go in your career? No, not sometimes in the indefinite future, but next year and during the next five years. A professional growth mindset includes many milestones, following the SMART criteria:
- Specific – know exactly what kind of role you want to take and in what type of company
- Measurable – determine metrics to measure whether you have attained your goal
- Attainable – set incremental goals, which you can reasonably achieve
- Time-based – determine a deadline for each career goal you set.
This is the most effective way of building a successful career, instead of just dreaming about it.
5. Ability to Learn, Re-Learn, and Unlearn
Finally, a professional growth mindset includes the skill of adaptability to new work procedures, systems and policies. The “this is how I know to do it” attitude is no longer tolerated. Career-minded professionals must be flexible and adopt the workflow processes used throughout the organisation. Of course, if you believe that you can make improvements, thoughtfully suggest them. But if they are not accepted, it is time to unlearn the old way of working and re-learn how to become a team player in the new circumstances. Embrace these career growth strategies, develop the required skills, and you will continue to be relevant in an AI-driven world. With Olinio by your side, you can find your dream job. Reach out to us today to discover our vacancies!