In this edition of Author Talks, we delve into the world of career progression with Ramya DRozario from McKinsey Global Publishing. She engages in a captivating conversation with Ethan Bernstein, an associate professor at Harvard Business School, and Michael B. Horn, an adjunct lecturer at Harvard's Graduate School of Education and cofounder of the Clayton Christensen Institute for Disruptive Innovation. Their new book, "Job Moves: 9 Steps for Making Progress in Your Career" (Harper Business/HarperCollins Publishers, November 2024), outlines a path for job seekers to navigate job transitions effectively and achieve long-term satisfaction.

Why the Book Was Written

Michael B. Horn emphasizes that their "why" for writing this book is simple - to help many more people make more progress. His personal mission is to assist individuals in living purposeful and meaningful lives and reaching their potential. Ethan Bernstein, a professor of organizational behavior at Harvard Business School, shares that as they interacted with more people and offered more advice, the line of those seeking their guidance grew longer. They simply wanted to make a difference for both individuals and the organizations that employ them.

Concept Behind the Book

The book is not just about getting the next job but about making concrete progress in life. After speaking with thousands of job movers, they found that successful ones considered "hiring" their next job based on the progress they wanted to make. Ethan Bernstein, a qualitative researcher, discovered that people often moved because their current organizations didn't offer the progression they desired. Michael B. Horn further explains that they developed a robust coaching process based on cohort-focused approaches and years of Ethan's class. This process works within a typical job seeker's search and is a "work smarter" approach.

Navigating Expectations vs. Reality

Many people believe in a "perfect job" with no drawbacks. However, in reality, all jobs have their pros and cons. Understanding what "progress" means for oneself and prioritizing it helps in making trade-offs. Ethan Bernstein clarifies that the book is about making smart decisions about trade-offs, as one's quests and the set of trade-offs can change over time. Maintaining a pool of relevant assets is crucial as assets depreciate over time.

Staying Relevant in the Current Workspace

To stay relevant, job seekers should keep completing informational interviews and networking. Michael B. Horn suggests a different approach to informational interviews, focusing on understanding the day-to-day and week-to-week aspects and how they align with career goals. Ethan Bernstein emphasizes the importance of having open conversations about progression and encourages both employees and employers to ask about each other's quests and forces at work.

Impact of the Pandemic on the Job Market

Since the pandemic, there have been shifting preferences in the workplace and definitions of productivity and work environments. The desire for certain preferences and the speed of change have led to more job moves and shorter tenures. Gen Z, in particular, is impatient due to the shrinking half-life of skills and the fear of AI's impact. They are making demands and seeking to use their current capabilities effectively.

Networking in an Age of Remote Work

Entry-level workers face challenges in building relationships in a remote work environment. On the other hand, some mid-career individuals prefer to be at home. Managers and mentors should be intentional about helping employees build social capital across the firm and industry. Ethan Bernstein believes the book helps by sharing activities to articulate energy drivers and capabilities.

Cultivating a Mentor-Mentee Relationship

Finding a single, perfect mentor is difficult. The cultivation process involves lowering anxiety and developing a keener sense of what drives one at work. Ethan Bernstein's chapter for mentors simplifies the search by providing instructions. It's about having an organic connection and giving and receiving.

Creating a Thriving Work Environment

Understanding the pushes and pulls that cause people to change jobs is crucial for companies. Employers can have conversations about retention that go beyond money and perks. A shadow job description can help prospective employees understand if a job fits their preferences. Ethan Bernstein emphasizes that people expect a customized user experience as employees and that companies can meet these shifting preferences.

Surprises in Research and Writing

Michael B. Horn is always humbled by learning about people's quests and forces through actual stories. Ethan Bernstein was surprised by the ease of collecting data during the Great Resignation and the remarkable commonality across diverse data points, which could be distilled down to 30 pushes and pulls.Watch the full video to explore these insights in more detail.