The landscape of work has shifted. We’re no longer climbing predictable career ladders but navigating complex networks, with many of us destined to retire from jobs that don’t even exist today. The statistics are eye-opening: more people are living into their 80s and 90s than in any previous generation, potentially extending careers to 60 years or more. In this context, career visioning isn’t just helpful; it’s essential. 

Where a CV or resume is a static document, this is an invitation to refresh and reset your Career Vision. We are in the dawn of a new age of AI and for many this will require us to chart new territories as we voyage ahead. 

Career visioning is about taking control of your professional journey in a world where change and transformation have become the ultimate signs of life. As Darwin wisely said, “it’s not the strongest or most intelligent who survive, but those most adaptable to change.” This adaptability starts with a clear vision.

The workplace is experiencing a ‘collar-blind revolution’. Routine manual jobs are increasingly handled by robots, while routine cognitive tasks are being performed by AI and software. The jobs that will remain distinctly human are those requiring what I call the human edge’ – tasks best performed by a living mind, body and soul. Taking 30 minutes out to reflect now, could enable you to spot opportunities to practice these prize skills, and ensure you’re ahead of the waves of change. 

Be more fox, less panda

So how do we plan for sustainable careers in this changing environment? It begins with reflection. The key is knowing what empowers you in your work life. 

Ask yourself: 

• What does career success mean to you personally? 
• How did you make the career decisions that led you to where you are now? 
• What opportunities might lie ahead on your horizon? 

In our tech-driven era, I encourage professionals to be more fox, less panda. Pandas, while beloved, are fixed and static, requiring protection to survive. They have three fatal flaws which make it difficult for a panda to adapt: they can only eat bamboo, its low in calorific value so they have to eat for 18 hours a day, and they reach for rather than run for their food. 

This means pandas are the last to know when change is afoot, having been kept very busy chewing over a single food source. This makes change stressful. The busier we are in our jobs now, the less time we have available to innovate and practice new skills. This represents the working patterns which may become obsolete, despite being well-liked. 

Foxes, on the other hand, are flexible, dynamic and resilient. They can hunt one day, forage the next. For example, someone may have been trained to do their job in one way, but if those processes or the task expectations change, they need the confidence and skills to adapt. And rather than age or experience defining us, it’s about taking ownership of our skill development, while maintaining a healthy state of continuous adaptation. I call this “being fluxible”: when there are aspects of our work that are still being redefined, the daily tasks may be in a state of flux. Rather than worry about this uncertainty, it’s important to take pride in our resilience, and accept that it is ok not to be perfect yet.

Tapping into our human edge 

To thrive, we must focus on our uniquely human capabilities – what I call the ‘Four C’s’. 

These include:

• Creative: While AI can design new patterns, only humans have the imagination to dream up something truly original, subversive or useful. Ask yourself: When is my next chance to try something new?
• Caring: Robots can learn rapport scripts, but only humans can share genuine joy, pain and love. Ask yourself: How can I demonstrate my genuine care right now?
• Collaborative: Software can cross-check data, but only humans can think outside norms to build meaningful relationships. Ask yourself: Who could I join up with to explore every opportunity?
• Curious: Apps constantly learn from our behaviour, but only humans are interested in the ‘why’ and have the instinct to challenge logic. Ask yourself: What could be worth a rethink or a fresh perspective?

But these moments are by definition, unscripted which require our energy and attention. Developing these human skills requires attention to our emotional intelligence, personal resilience and mental presence. These intangibles are premium assets in our increasingly automated world. Leverage and focus on your human edge aspects of your work.

When I started facilitating Career Visioning workshops back in 2017, I called these the DNA aspects of your role – i.e. the ‘Do Not Automate’ elements. It’s essential to automate dull or repetitive tasks, so you can unlock more time for the DNA (do not automate bits) which require you to tap into your human edge. For example, a line manager using fast new HR admin processes to free up time for quality one-to-one conversations with their team.

It’s important to choose technology that minimises the robotic, so you can unlock time and space to bring your human edge to the DNA. Think about the real purpose of your role. Identify it and evolve it rather than replace yourself with any new technology.

Career visioning 

The process of career visioning can be broken into three simple steps: 

Set your vision

Having a clear vision of your desired end state before getting busy with actions is key to accomplishing any worthwhile goal. There’s no shortcut to sustainable career success – it’s a lifelong work in progress. 

Take some time to reflect and stretch your thinking to put yourself in the centre of the picture. Questions to consider include: 

• Strengths and preferences – What are you naturally good at that you enjoy doing?
• Skills and abilities – What have you practised that has become an acquired work skill?
• Knowledge – What professional knowledge do you know that is beyond Google?
• Passions – What in/out work fires you up? What would you do for free?
• Personal goals – What would you like to achieve in your life/career?
• Values – What is important to you in terms of how you lead your career?
• Purpose – What is the ultimate footprint you would like to leave by your career end? 

Map your current position

Your future career may take you along paths that are as yet, uncharted territory. Being clear about your unique skills and experiences helps you make more conscious and confident decisions when opportunities arise. 

Take your first step

Ask yourself: What do I need to do? How will I do it? When will I start?

Remember that solid skill sets can become solidified if we’re not careful. Don’t let your career become like cooling lava – keep it fluid, adaptable and continuously moving forward at a pace that is right for you. As we shift from traditional career ladders to networks, maintaining this flexibility becomes even more critical. 

In a world where the global AI market will soar from $189 billion in 2023 to $4.8 trillion by 2033, and globally it could affect 40% of jobs, our greatest asset is our humanity.

By focusing on career visioning and embracing our human capacities, we can leverage our unique advantages and maximise the unprecedented opportunities of the next decade and beyond.

The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. What will yours be?

Laura Thomson-Staveley is the founder and leadership coach at Phenomenal Training and co-host of Secrets from A Coach podcast.