As a minion of people management, I often see how minions are resistant to change or refuse to change.
A floor above mine, is Yul Brynner’s Pop’s Kingdom. Pop is the scion of investments and the one with the Midas touch. Yul Brynner I feel, is Pop’s preferred child above the other docile one.
Pop’s kingdom is like T Rex land when compared to Yul Brynner’s turf, which is IT savvy, paperless and completely in tune with digitalisation. Hot desking, shared spaces and truly an open concept without distinction of hierarchical class in space for directors and above.
If you walk into Pop’s kingdom, people minion will say if they adopt change or digitalization, they will walk. People minion rule the kingdom and Pop is okay with it as he is also of this generational mindset.
Whilst we toggle with laptop to beam our digital presentations onto Smart TV screens and or large Dell monitors, Pop’s kingdom uses projectors.
I was told by IT that Pop is now adopting our style of using 75″ or above smart TVs and will finally adopt and use it. This is indeed a stride in the right direction.
But they will still like the feel of paper and have claims filed using old school paper copies, with sign off before minions get credited.
Mindset change is important and I am always singing the mantra in my heart that we must all be adept and agile to change – adapt or be left behind.
Gen Zs and millennials are not a problem – post baby boomers, Gen X, Gen Y are less savvy whilst the Strawberry Gen is caught in the middle.
I was very sorry to hear from Piglet that her spouse was laid off as the industry changed and evolved under new management. I likened it to the case of my MR EX when he realized that his real estate business was in a dog eat dog world in the 1980s and till 2000s. Had he remained in it, today is boom town Charlie for him as head honcho of real estate business as rentals are sky high, sales are booming.
MR EX diversified into coaching and mentoring business. He sold services based on ” saliva” as capital, not assets. The Pandemic taught him to innovate and use Zoom. Today he is on Tik Tok trying to catch the trend.
When I compared to Piglet’s spouse, I felt for Piglet who is stressed by her spouse’s state of worklessness at this current time.
When I reflected on Piglet’s spouse situation, it was akin to my charge of minions when I had to say goodbye to a chap who worked with us for 15 years as he refused to change with the digital world. He lost the fit for his role.
I asked self if Piglet’s spouse had also lost the ” fit” for his old role and if he will be able to bounce back to a rejuvenated environment where paper sales is extinct and one sells different things to different folks?
The fear is real when moving towards change. But as I always tell my charges – one must change with the times or be changed out.
If one can afford to be out of work, then it is fine else those in their mid 40s and above will find it hard to reintegrate back into society’s working world.
My only advice for those struggling to get a job back is not to be afraid.
Take a step down, to take a step forward.
Abandon or perish the thought that you will still get the same salary for what you used to do. There are younger folks out there, willing to work for lesser and can deliver the same, faster or take on more work load.
Change industries if need to and you will survive as you get down and dirty to learn the new ropes, new trade and begin your new journey to excel in it.
If I can do it, so can you.
I was under evil lords, like Electrical Lord and Scorpion Lord. I am glad I left them as they are not doing well, especially Scorpion Lord. As for Electrical Lord, if not for his siblings, he would be down and out.
I learnt, I adapted and I moved on.
I am also aware that there is no iron rice bowl (Mao’s theory back then in historical China) and no one owes anyone a job.
This is also painfully true as to why Singaporeans cannot afford to retire as there is no free handouts to allow anyone to choose not to work.