Have you experienced the situation whereby you were once considered an expert in a knowledge domain, such as an IT expert during the emerging of PC, smartphones, or dot.com bubble? However, once a new technology emerged, your expertise quickly became obsolete and you were no longer considered as an irreplaceable resource. The same case might also applicable in other expertise area outside of technology. Your managerial concept might be no longer relevant to the current situation with the transition from generation X to generation Y and millennials in the workplace.
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| Picture credit: OpenClipart-Vectors |
The question is, how to keep your self up-to-date with the current development in technology, new methodologies, new systems, soft skills and expectations? In my experience, the following might help to keep improving yourself:
1. Read. It has been evidenced by a number of well recognized leaders around the world that reading good books has been expanding their horizons to the new developments in the industry. Now, with the availability of e-books, pods, audio books and other online sources, gaining the knowledge is much easier than ever before.
2. Socialize. Being an active member of positive communities of interest, such as project management (e.g. PMI chapter in your country), professional communities, industry communities or even informal communities helps you keep updated on the latest development in the industry.
3. Attending seminars, conferences, and summits. I found this exceptionally useful in particular in relation with the new development in digital technology. Although in most cases the public events will not give you a deep dive into the emerging technology, they serve as a insightful starting point for me to explore further. In addition, the events also provide networking opportunities with the key people in the domain you are interested in. After-event meetings and connectivity are highly recommended.
4. Training. I have a personal commitment that every year I must improve myself either through a formal training, certification, or job promotion and rotation. In addition to equipping yourself with the knowledge in the area, which had not been your expertise, joining a training also serves as a good networking opportunity. You will never know when the training will be useful to support your career progression.
5. Keep up an open mind and have a clear vision on where you are heading to in your professional career. By having a clear career path in your mind, there is a bigger opportunity for you to stay on track in term of self development and career progression.
Hope the above helps. Please feel free to share your opinion and experience in this subject.
Edwin
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