We have raisied this before, but I don’t think there is anyone better at staying relvent and engaged than Snoop Dog. Want him to be engaged in a brand, let him give up smoking. Done. Olympics? Let’s be NBC and make him a correspondent. Done as was announced this week. He shows he supports and he walks the walk. I was reminded of the value of adaptation and reinvention agin this week in an NY Times story on another old hand who stays in the mix, Willie Nelson.
Same thing. Willie sees a trend. He listens, he learns, and at 90 he adapts. Curious learning rules. Tom Coughlin, during his time coaching the New York Giants did the same. Soften the approach. Listen and learn, and results come in. Bill Belichick as his time comes to an end perhaps in New England? It was pointed out by colleagues that despite having the industry leader in data analytics...Kraft Sports Group (KAGR), the Patriots have one of the smallest groups in the league from a football perspective in adapting to data for the game. Not learning.
Back to the Snoop reminder. During a taping of one of the first episodes of “The Barbershop” on HBO, hosted by LeBron James. He was asked about how he can continue to be important to young people and those in their forties as well. “It’s simple man, you have to find ways to stay relevant.”
As someone who has to keep advancing by choice, and started a form of social distancing and working and learning from home over 15 years ago, not by choice, but by having consulting choosing me, I agree with Snoop. You have to take time every day to keep learning and finding ways to positively and productively join a narrative. Reinvention of career is not something that is easy; sometimes it is embarrassing, sometimes it brings on great despair, sometimes it is hollow; but being able to pluck lemonade from lemons is part of life that we all go through, and the surprise of what you can learn and accomplish through the people you know, and the experiences that you have and the success that you have achieved personally and professionally is a skill we all have, if we can just let it empower us and not consume us through the negative.
As I listen to many going through difficult times adjusting tin careers, I hear many talking about how busy they actually are in the work/life balance from home and an office…the stress of keeping young kids engaged for a longer and longer time while trying to make ends meet and do their jobs is always a growing concern. AI is going to ruin the world (it is not). However, there are also many willing to share little tips on how to make it work…and even without jobs…are finding little joys in seeing kids or siblings…literally grow before their eyes. So many have talked about lessons being learned about eating habits, study habits, reading habits, walking habits that they didn’t know their kids were doing, and how creating new routines is fun and enjpoyable if you open your mind. Much of it is not always rosy, but whatever is?
Part of that discovery on the work side, and the management of time (a critical skill) is taking the advice of Snoop…and others…finding every way to stay relevant to what is going to become a new evolved and very fluid workplace. Also, another area to think about as relevance comes into play…gray. Many areas of business especially tied to sport…have always been pretty clear. You win, you close a sale, you lose, or something doesn’t develop. A zero-sum game. We understood that. However, that middle ground…the gray area…is more relevant and important to embrace. What are the things we need to stay relevant where a win or a loss, an addition to the bottom line, a hitting a sales number, may be less timely or be influenced by things well beyond our control. The idea of, “well I couldn’t do that, but here’s what I can help with” is key in maintaining and growing a business relationship. That is also true for employers as well, making sure the workplace is interesting and engaged and you are listening to the goings on.
Hence the need to stay more relevant than ever before.
What am I talking about? Taking the few minutes a day to maybe understand what AI and gaming actually is and how it can be valuable to “traditional” business…looking to have a better understanding of cultures in emerging markets and seeing how these markets can integrate into the business you are in. Where can I use new tools emerging? Averse to analytics? Maybe join a call about coding. Don’t understand what Tik Tok is all about? Find a few of your kid’s friends to better understand why its important to them and how it applies to a greater business. Can’t seem to make heads or tales about the value of cause marketing to spur sales? Speak to people who volunteer and see how their passion can apply to what it is you are doing. Had you always wanted to talk to a person in your workplace who came from a different background but never had the time to ask? Force yourself outside of your boundaries for a virtual cup of Joe…or an old-fashioned phone call to listen and learn from them. Averse to social media or a second screen? Join a LinkedIn group about a topic you love and listen and see how those people are using time to expand relationships and enter into a conversation.
I have often found in times of crisis or a lack of faith that the help, the inspiration comes from the most unexpected places…if you are open to new ideas, open to listening, open to learning, and open to acceptance on all levels. All that comes from finding looking and learning and removing silos and walls you have assembled.
Now one thing I would say NOT to do. Don’t be walking around with your hand out saying help ME. There are several people I know who come around only when THEY need something, several as blatant as sending mass emails to people saying hey, I need a job can you hire me. While that may work for some at the end of the rope, I think it honestly turns many people off…and ironically those people are usually heard from only when THEY need something.
Understanding your skills…telling people what you have learned, using that knowledge and the lifetime of experience old and new…and putting all that in a narrative that helps you stay relevant to people who are looking for help…now with the added skills and ideas and thoughts you have acquired…will help define and open the next chapter. You can’t sit back and hope it comes to you, or that your past work alone is good enough.
We are in a gray, and very fluid world…so staying relevant for what is needed now, and what is coming soon, combined with the sweat equity of the past…will help chart your future.
And by the way…this is something we should have been doing all along right? And many of the changes were in the distance anyway…this pause in normalcy has really accelerated the changes at a pace no one was expecting or really ready for. It is here now, so understand, accept and get moving forward.
The best companies, the best leaders, the best teams, the best brands, read the room, look toward the door, and adapt in good times and tough ones. Adaptive learning is so key…and it is fun and interesting, and it will keep you relevant and engaged, for the long term, and most importantly keep you going and open new doors.
No matter who we are, where we are, and what we do, we need to always be thinking relevance to those around us. It has never been as important as it is today.
Just like Snoop and Willie say. Adapt and grow.
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