#90 | Future Proof Your Career With Jonathan Brill
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If you knew a tragedy was coming, how would you plan for it? That’s what Jonathan Brill helps us answer on this episode of Coffee With Kim. The speaker, author, and advisor prepares leaders to profit from radical change, and he sat with us to share his top tips on planning for the future and building a resilient business. See why Inc Magazine calls him a “Silicon Valley legend” and Oxford University press says he’s the “next best thing to Nostradamus” as we learn to future proof our businesses, careers, and selves. And of course, I’ll send you all the notes, just sign up here!
How To Start Thinking About The Future & Your Career (06:20)
As we plan for the future personally and professionally, Jonathan made it clear what will take us off course are the tragedies we don’t anticipate. Take the pandemic for example. No one was prepared. Moving forward we can better plan ahead by predicting change and learning from history.
“Prepare for the future no one asks you about, like ‘what happens if my house burns down or I have another child?’ Also, ask your grandmother how she survived through unexpected change. Our lived experience is limited but we can apply knowledge from what has already happened.”
Planning For A Range Of Futures (09:23)
If you’re a Type A personality like me you probably have a plan for if things go right but not if it turns awry. I was curious to know how we could comfortably build a plan for the future without being married to it.
“Ask yourself what the range of possible futures are. The past is the future that already happened so stack your plan up against various decades to see if it would survive. Then figure out how you would change those impacts into opportunities.”
The Science Of Luck (18:40)
Believe it or not, there’s a science to luck. It’s not all random. Jonathan says the people who are repeatedly successful in life consistently practice this:
- Doing less stupid stuff aka lower their risks and planning for the unknown.
- Maximizing connectivity by building their network and asking for help.
If you want to increase your chances of “luck”, start with your LinkedIn profile. Use these tips to supercharge your profile and attract the right people into your network.
Predicting What’s Ahead (22:53)
Building a resilient business and planning for the future go hand in hand. When predicting change, Jonathan says there are four major places for risk that are also opportunities for innovation.
“When you understand where the challenges are, you can innovate processes. Determine what the financial, operational, external, and strategic risks are to your customers, helping them address those will bring you more success with them. Your real value to your customers isn’t a luxury experience, it’s that you can provide them with a life raft when the unexpected occurs.”
Planning For Rogue Waves (33:01)
Jonathan is the author of Rogue Waves. You may be asking, ‘What is a rogue wave and what does it have to do with planning for the future?’ Jonathan explained, that in the deep ocean 20ft waves are common, but rogue waves happen when they collide and become 100+ ft waves or higher. Then, there’s no way to escape them! When you realize rogue waves are a reality – in the ocean and in life – you plan for them differently.
“You don’t want to take up big wave surfing after a wave hits, you want to prepare for it. Planning for the future isn’t so you will have all the answers, but so you understand the range of pivots you may have to take. Get ahead by focusing on the small things you can do to increase your optionality and potential over time.
Speed Round (43:29)
- What is something you’ve started using or doing lately that you love? Asking people random questions that improve their lives
- What is the next thing you’re hoping to learn? Improving communication skills
- What are your favorite social media accounts to follow? Ian Bremmer, Nick Thompson, and Adam Grant
- Homework: Read Dorie & Jonathan’s article on mitigating risks, Jonathan’s article on how HP handles catastrophes, and grab his new book Rogue Waves.
Stay connected with Jonathan via his website and LinkedIn
Next Week
Tia Meyers, Founder of Freelancing Females, is joining us to talk all about the wild wild west of freelancing. As a freelancer there are a lot of unknowns & learning curves from how to price your services to getting (and retaining!) clients. She’ll be pulling back the curtain and sharing information & experiences openly so that every freelancer can be treated fairly and grow their business. RSVP here!
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