Much like Christmas, Blue Monday seems to come around with alarming frequency. In case it has escaped anyone’s notice, today, 21 January, is the day deemed to be when Brits are at their most miserable because of a range of factors ranging from Christmas debt, the weather, broken New Year’s resolutions and a lack of motivation. Add in the uncertainty surrounding Brexit, and Blue Monday looks to be bigger and bleaker than ever this year.
Blue Monday has become a handy marketing device for restaurants and retailers to lift the gloom with some enticing special offers but the Evening Standard reminds us that it is based on an actual formula devised by psychologist Dr Cliff Arnall. And as depressing as it might be, in an article the newspaper quoted Dr Arnall as saying: “Whether embarking on a new career, meeting new friends, taking up a new hobby or booking a new adventure, January is actually a great time to make those big decisions for the year ahead.”
And he is absolutely right, whatever else is going on, Blue Monday is an excellent prompt to focus on where you are in your career and what you need to do to secure your next position. For those who have been in role for some time, it is easy to remain in your comfort zone. While there’s nothing wrong with this, the unique set of operating conditions in the world today means that when you do decide to move on, it might not be as straightforward as you think.
The leadership skillset is changing as the Fourth Industrial Revolution gathers pace. The speed of technological change, globalisation, political uncertainty and the explosion of social media means leaders must be more agile, flexible, reactive, adaptable as well as collaborative and able to build and manage complex relationships. Leaders must also be digital savvy. Surveys frequently point to a digital gap at leadership level, which means those able to implement digital transformation strategies will be in high demand.
If you haven’t evaluated your skillset for some time, it can be a daunting experience. How do you fare compared to others who might be competing for similar roles? What are the differentiating skills in the new world of business? And how can you acquire the skills needed to compete for leadership roles?
To help leaders assess their current standing in the market, Rialto has developed the Rialto Accelerated Leadership Index (RALI) at RALI Online which is based on insights and trend data gained from more than five years’ extensive global research, backed up by numerous interviews carried out with executives in leading organisations. It will inform you as to how aligned your skillet is to current requirements.
Not everything is in our control over the next 12 months but you can be in charge of your career by ensuring your skills are relevant and up-to-date. And a great way to instigate this is by carrying out an assessment of your standing in the market.
So by all means, cheer yourself up at lunchtime with some of the inviting Blue Monday treats dropping into your inbox, but better still resolve to focus on that all important next career move.
#BlueMonday #mondaymotivation To learn more about how you fare in the market, contact us for a free consultation here: Contact – Rialto
