Turning Over a New Leaf in the New Work World

By Mary Ann Faremouth, CPC

As summer begins to fade and we move into the beautiful colors of Fall, I am reminded of the classic song “Autumn Leaves,” made famous by Nat King Cole. One of the most recognizable lines says:

“The autumn leaves of red and gold.”

There is something special about watching the leaves change. The landscape that looked one way only a few months ago suddenly takes on an entirely different appearance. The trees let go of what they have carried through the previous season and prepare for what comes next.

Our professional lives can be much the same.

The New Work World continues to change at a rapid pace. Technology, workplace expectations, hiring practices, employee priorities and the way we define a successful career are all evolving. Sometimes those changes are exciting, and sometimes they can feel uncomfortable. But just as we cannot ask the seasons to stand still, we cannot expect our professional lives to remain exactly as they were.

As a Career Consultant for more than thirty years, I have learned that successfully navigating change requires more than simply reacting to what happens around us. It requires us to pause, take inventory, ask questions and be willing to make adjustments when necessary.

So, as we enter this new season, let’s take a look at the Five-Step Faremouth Method and how these strategies can help both employers and employees turn over a new leaf in the New Work World.

1. Do A Self-Inventory and See the First Signs of Change

Before we can determine where we are going, we need to understand where we are today.

Fall is a natural time for reflection. What worked during one season may not work as well in the next. The same is true in our careers and workplaces.

If you are an employer, take an honest look at your current workplace environment. Are your employees engaged? Are there policies or practices that could be improved? If your workforce is hybrid, or even remote, are your employees receiving the communication, support and connection they need?

If you are an employee, ask yourself: Are you challenged and growing? Are your skills being utilized? Is there an opportunity for you to contribute more to your organization?

A self-inventory is not about finding everything that is wrong. It is about recognizing what is working, identifying what may need to change and understanding what you want your next professional season to look like.

2. Ask Better Questions and Understand the Shift

Good questions can open doors that we did not even realize were there.

Rather than asking, “Why is everything changing?” consider asking, “What can I do differently because things are changing?”

Employers who are struggling to retain good employees might ask: What would make our employees feel more valued? How can we improve communication? What opportunities could we provide for growth and development?

Employees can ask themselves: What skills could I develop? How can I become more valuable to my organization? What would make my current position more fulfilling?

And if you are considering a career move, don’t just ask how much money a new position offers. Ask whether the opportunity provides the quality of life, growth, culture and work/life balance you are seeking.

The right question can sometimes reveal an opportunity that was hiding in plain sight.

3. Step Out of Your Comfort Zone and Let Go of What No Longer Serves You

Have you ever noticed that the most beautiful Fall landscapes are created by change?

The leaves don’t stay green simply because green is familiar. They change. We should be willing to do the same.

In today’s competitive employment market, employers may be tempted to look only for candidates who check every box on a job description. However, some of the most successful placements I have made over the years have involved candidates whose experience was not an exact match, but whose transferable skills, passion and determination made them excellent choices.

Candidates can also benefit from stepping outside their comfort zones. If your company is introducing new technology, for example, consider taking a course or learning a new skill before someone asks you to. If you see an opportunity to contribute in a new area, raise your hand.

Growth rarely happens when we remain exactly where we are comfortable.

4. Take the Time to Do It Right and Prepare for the Next Season

Change can create a sense of urgency, but urgency should not automatically lead to haste. Employers sometimes feel pressure to fill an open position as quickly as possible. Candidates may feel pressure to accept the first job offer that comes along. But making a major career decision without taking the time to evaluate the situation can create problems for both sides.

Take the time to understand your options.

For employers, that means looking beyond the immediate need to fill a position and considering whether the candidate will truly fit the organization’s needs and culture.

For candidates, it means looking beyond the job title and salary to consider the entire opportunity.
The goal is not to avoid change. The goal is to make thoughtful changes that move you in the right direction.

5. Be A Hunter and Turn Over a New Leaf

When the leaves begin to fall, we know another season is coming. We don’t know exactly what every day of that season will bring, but we can prepare.

The same principle applies to our careers.

Being a hunter means being proactive. Instead of waiting for the perfect opportunity, look for it. Instead of waiting until your skills become outdated, learn something new. Instead of assuming that a workplace problem cannot be solved, hunt for a solution.

This may mean using assessment tools, networking, researching new opportunities or taking a closer look at your own strengths and goals. My “Revolutionary Reinvention” workbook is one resource that can help provide insight and a roadmap for individuals who are ready to explore what comes next.

The New Work World does not come with a guarantee that every season will be comfortable. There will be times when we have to let go of old habits, outdated expectations or approaches that are no longer working.

But change can also create opportunities.

The falling leaves remind us that letting go is not necessarily an ending. Sometimes it is preparation for what comes next.

As “Autumn Leaves” reminds us, “The autumn leaves of red and gold” create beauty precisely because they are changing. We can choose to approach our own professional changes with that same perspective.

So, as we move into this new season, take a moment to look at where you are, where you want to go and what you may need to release along the way.

Do your self-inventory. Ask better questions. Step outside your comfort zone. Take the time to do it right. Be a hunter.

Then turn over that new leaf and see what the next season of the New Work World may have in store.