Five Tips To Manage Career Transitions
“A grieving process alongside career change is perfectly normal. The key is to accepting resistance and anticipating it instead of trying to avoid or demonise it. Resistance is a natural part of any transition.”― Adele Barlow, Leaving Law: How Others Did It and How You Can Too
During my four decades of experiences, I had the opportunity to take up new roles and transition between different functions and industries. If I trace back my whole career, I have been a bit of a nonconformist. I took on diverse roles throughout my career. During these transitions, I had to upskill myself, learn new things, and adapt to a new work environment. But few things were common in almost all such changes. I had to remain agile and adopt a learning attitude. Fortunately for me, I had managers who invested in my career progression and were always willing to coach and mentor me. It wasn’t always a cakewalk, but once I decided to take a risk, I would give my hundred per cent to achieving it. Unknowingly I was building my career capital.
Change and Transitions
In his book, “Transitions” William Bridges distinguishes between Change and Transition. According to him, most people do not resist change; what they fight is transition. Change is a situational shift, whereas transition, on the other hand, is the process of letting go of the way things used to be and then taking hold of the way they subsequently become. And it is this process of letting go of the old ways that makes us resist change.
Different reasons for career transitions
Whether you are transitioning within the same company or taking up a new job, Career transition requires careful planning. There could be several reasons for career transitions. Some could be because you decided to opt for a new role within the same company or promotion. In some cases, it could be a forced transition because of a merger or an organizational restructuring. Even during the current pandemic, people are thinking of reinventing their careers. Whatever be the reason, shift always creates anxiety.
The emotional side of Career Transition
Letting go of some of the old habits and patterns is challenging. In your previous role, certain behaviours or way of doing things could have worked. It is not necessary it would work in your new role as well. One has to adapt to a new environment and learn new ways of doing things. One has to figure out what are the acceptable behaviours in the new job. Adjusting to a new reality can cause emotional trauma at times.
Tips to Make the Transition successful
A few years ago, I took an important decision to move out of a high paying job. I wanted to set up my management consulting business. Transitioning from the comforts of a well-oiled organization system to starting something from scratch was not easy. I had given it a lot of thought, discussed it with family and well-wishers, was clear on what I had planned to do, and motivated to take the risk. My transition coach helped me understand the risk. She discussed my strengths and weakness with me, made me aware of the risk and mentally prepared me to leap. After all, there is always a first time for everything.
Think through what can make the transition as smooth as possible and what it would take to succeed. Many of us forget to anticipate the change in culture and environment. These changes can have a significant impact on us. While some may have the appetite to face these changes, some others can find it difficult. Inability to meet change should not become a reason for career derailment.
Many hold back career transition decision due to fear of failure. But then, unless you take a risk and decide to come out of your comfort zone, it will stall your career progression. By giving in to the fear, you will be standing in the way of your career success.
From my personal experience and from coaching several leaders undergoing career transitions, here are a few tips
- Understand the expectations of your new job. Talk to people in the industry and seek guidance from those that have gone through a similar experience.
- Stay agile and be ready to adapt to the new environment. What worked for you in the past may not always work. Be willing to learn and try new approaches to work.
- Be curious. It will help you to synergise your existing skills in the new environment. Learning never ends, so remain grounded and humble. Only then will the learning curve be manageable.
- Let go of the baggage of your previous job. Be willing to understand different perspectives. Learn skills that will help you perform efficiently in your new role.
- Look for a coach or a mentor who can help you navigate the transition with confidence and avoid any pitfalls.
“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy,not on fighting the old,but on building the new” Socrates.
