1008: The Nine Steps for Making Career Progress with Ethan Bernstein
Nov 4, 2024
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Ethan Bernstein, a Harvard Business School professor and expert in organizational behavior, shares insights on navigating career challenges. He identifies four key quests driving career transitions and highlights the importance of aligning roles with personal aspirations. Bernstein also discusses how to stay relevant through continuous learning and effective networking. Another fascinating point is the value of storytelling in job applications, which can significantly impact hiring decisions. This conversation is packed with practical strategies for meaningful career advancement.
Career advancement is driven by understanding four core quests that inform decision-making for job transitions.
Creating multiple job prototypes enables individuals to explore diverse career paths and clarify their professional aspirations.
Deep dives
The Importance of Moving Forward
Progress in a career is inherently tied to the notion of movement, where individuals are encouraged to maximize their development with each transition. Instead of fixating on a singular 'dream job', it is emphasized that successful career advancement often involves making effective trade-offs. This framework prompts individuals to explore three to five prototype roles they might want to pursue, rather than asking a potentially paralyzing question about what they want to do next. This approach acknowledges the reality that career paths can be fluid and that identifying multiple routes can lead to greater satisfaction and fulfillment.
Understanding Career Transitions Through Quests
Individuals generally navigate career changes based on four main quests: 'Get Out', 'Take the Next Step', 'Regain Control', and 'Regain Alignment'. These quests serve as a framework for understanding what drives an individual's decision to seek a new role. By categorizing motivations into these quests, individuals can gain clarity about their career goals and the underlying motivations influencing their choices. Recognizing which quest resonates most can guide them towards more tailored advice and effective decision-making in their careers.
The Role of Energy Drivers and Capabilities
It’s crucial to assess energy-draining and energy-lifting factors associated with past roles to better understand career satisfaction. Rather than focusing simply on strengths and weaknesses, a more dynamic perspective encourages individuals to view their professional attributes as assets and liabilities that need constant management. This balance sheet approach to career management helps emphasize the importance of maintaining and enhancing skills over time, especially as technical knowledge can quickly become outdated. By identifying how different roles impact their energy and effectiveness, individuals can make informed choices about their career trajectory.
Prototype Development for Career Clarity
Creating three to five job prototypes allows individuals to crystallize potential career paths that align with their aspirations and skills. Each prototype should involve diverse variables such as job function, organization type, and working conditions, which would clarify what a satisfying role entails. This process shifts the focus from a daunting singular vision for the future to manageable, exploratory options that can be compared and refined. By seeking out insights from professionals in these roles, individuals can navigate their career choices with greater confidence and awareness of what to expect.
Ethan Bernstein is the Edward W. Conard Associate Professor of Business Administration in the Organizational Behavior unit at the Harvard Business School, where he teaches the Developing Yourself as a Leader and Managing Human Capital courses. He spent five years at The Boston Consulting Group and two years in executive positions at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, including Chief Strategy Officer and Deputy Assistant Director of Mortgage Markets. Bernstein earned his doctorate in management at Harvard, where he also received a JD/MBA.