Change is inevitable in the business world. It is a fact that most business professionals understand all too well. As a business leader, you must be prepared for professional disruptions and be resilient enough to navigate through them. In other words, you need to “Stay ready”.

You may be saying to yourself, if you saw how many unread e-mail I have, in addition to my book length to-do list, “Stay ready” feels like another job. The fact is, if your job and current title are all consuming, and you have not even thought about what next or who you are without the title, then you do need to take a few minutes to read on.

I recently met with a seasoned corporate executive. She had worked for over two decades in various organisations and was at the top of her game. She had settled down well in her role and being in her late forties was in cruise control for at least another 10 years on the job. As she explained she had not updated her CV or business profile in years, and still used a professional photo from 10 years prior. She was made redundant! She kept saying “Can you imagine, they made me redundant, I was the backbone of that place”. She could not picture what she would do the next Monday morning.

I have had many such conversations over the years with corporate executives who have had their heads down in spreadsheets and when they looked up, there in front of them was a restructured organisation and they did not make the cut. The truth is, comfort is our default, having put in the effort, gained the professional qualifications, decorated the corner office and claimed the parking space, we get comfortable, too comfortable actually. Comfort that may result in complete devastation and inertia when faced with sudden career change.

Here are some strategies to help you stay ready for career transitions:

Keep your CV and business profile updated

Even if you are not actively looking for a job, regularly updating your CV and business profile can help you stay ready for unexpected career transitions. You never know when a new opportunity may arise, and having an up-to-date CV and profile will save you time and effort in the long run.

Tracking your wins is the key to unlocking your professional value

In addition to keeping track of your busy calendar, it is equally important to keep track of your key accomplishments and career achievements. By documenting these wins, you can more easily update your professional profiles and resumes and communicate your value. Furthermore, keeping track of your achievements helps you remember your worth and what value you bring to the table.

Cultivate a growth mindset

Embrace a growth mindset that focuses on learning, personal growth, and continuous improvement. Stay curious and open-minded and seek out new challenges and opportunities to stretch your skills and abilities.

Build a diverse skill set

Develop a diverse skill set that is relevant to your industry and the changing business landscape. Stay up to date with emerging technologies and trends that could disrupt your industry and invest time in learning new skills that will add value to your professional profile.

Network, network, network

Building a strong network of support and resources is essential for career transitions. Attend industry events, participate in online communities, and seek out mentorship opportunities. Be willing to mentor others and seek out help and support when needed.

Embrace change

Finally, embrace change as a natural part of the business world. Recognise that change is inevitable and that being ready for career transitions requires a mindset of resilience and adaptability. Stay positive, remain focused on your goals, and be willing to take risks and explore new opportunities.

Staying ready requires a mindset of resilience and adaptability to identify opportunities and challenges in the current business landscape. It is about directing the narrative of your life and not being blown about by the unpredictability of the business environment. It requires developing a vision of where you want your life to be and constantly checking that road map so that a redundancy exercise does not stall your engine on the journey. As you manage and lead people and businesses, take the lead as you in fact the CEO of your life!

Rochelle “Adrenaline Roch” Cameron is an attorney-at-law, speaker, business strategist and founder and CEO of Prescient Consulting Services Limited guiding individuals and organisations towards success with innovative strategies and unparalleled insights. Follow her @adrenalineroch on Instagram or e-mail her info@weareprescient.com