The Top 3 Things Your Employer Does NOT Want You to Know

Navigating a career in Corporate America has always been a challenging journey. However, in the aftermath of COVID-19 and amid today's unique economic challenges, it's paramount that young and mid-career professionals are even more vigilant, informed, and prepared.

Through candid conversations with colleagues entrenched in the corporate world and reflecting on my own journey, I've compiled the top three insights that your bosses do not want you to know.

1. The external hire is making more money than you

Have you ever heard your boss complain about the lack of loyalty in today’s job marketplace? For some reason, I noticed that the higher a person climbs the corporate ranks, the more blame they tend to place on the employee for loyalty or lack thereof.

Except, I know firsthand that the new person who just got hired on, that probably is not yet producing half the results you have been producing for years now, is likely making at least 1.5 times the salary you make.

It’s true that is market driven. However, I would call that a lack of loyalty.

2. The importance of networking & relationships

Yes, I know cliché, but give me a minute as I will take a new angle on this one. The world has changed so rapidly, especially in terms of digital media, tools, and technology. So much so, in fact, you are probably smarter, more skilled, and produce better tangible work products and results than your boss can even dream of producing.

The only thing holding you back are the intangibles and holding key relationships. Some of this comes with time and experience – or it used to…

Maybe the cutbacks in training programs, in-person meetings, networking hours, and travel to client sites from COVID-19 that never came back aren’t just because the “economy is bad”. Trust me, while the economy is more difficult – deals are still getting done.

We’ve all heard it – millennials (who are like my age and 40 now) and Gen Z are entitled and lazy…except we know that’s not true. The more likely truth is that your boss fears you outshining them.

This may not be the case everywhere, but in many places, it is.

3. We are not in a recessionary environment; we are in a transformational one

The pressures, price compression (especially in professional services), layoffs, etc., are not driven by the normal cycle. Throw out what you learned in business school – after a 20-year experiment in quantitative easing (0% interest rates), there is no more “normal” market cycle.

Look around – many companies are announcing record profits and growth, yet what you “hear” is mainly doom and gloom around wages, unemployment, and job security. I can’t disclose everything I know as a former corporate insider, but there is a reason, and it’s because the future many corporate leaders are building isn’t made for you. The main driving force is disruptive technologies – AI, machine learning, and automation; even if you weren’t told about it, your company is likely building it with a small team behind closed doors.

No, not all jobs will disappear any time soon, but for many entry-to-mid-career professionals, you do not have the skill set required for the next phase of the digital / AI economy. The faster you come to terms with this truth, the better off you will be, as there is still time to upskill. I was in the same boat – you notice I don’t have my letters behind my name anymore? It’s because they don’t matter – not in the same way they used to, at least.

You might ask, well, who does have these skills, and where will the companies find these people because it is true, they will still need some people.

To quote a confidential partner of a large, global firm – “Universities catch up to this kind of technology before corporations do – we will hire them young, fresh out of school.”

Don’t forget how hungry, intelligent, and technologically savvy your counterparts are in other parts of the world – shout out to all my colleagues and friends in India, South America, and Europe who are doing amazing things in the global economy!

I understand it is a risk being the messenger of such news, but don’t just believe me. Go pick up a couple of books The Start-up of You and Thank You for Being Late – see what these experts have to say on these subjects and keep in mind their insights were written pre-pandemic almost ten years ago now. The authors may be modern-day prophets.

Love me, or hate me for it, don’t say you were never warned.

PS - Do you want to begin future-proofing your career? I am taking five people to beta test my coaching and courses with many extra incentives and value. Book a call today to learn more, find if you are a good fit, and sign up.