Avoiding obsolescence in your career

By  Goretti Kimani

Obsolescence refers to a state of being no longer useful or limited in use, old-fashioned or that which can be easily dispensed with or discarded. Just like obsolete tools and equipment, employees also get obsolete.

It is every employee’s responsibility to remain relevant in their area of work.

Unfortunately many employees do not see it this way. Once the hard tarmacking days are over, people quickly get into a state of auto pilot; go to work, do the absolute minimum to get by and take their pay for the day.

This habit eventually grows into an obsession, where a person feels no desire to work hard, improve or go out of their way to be felt at work. As the saying goes, the sun waits for no man.

All the signs of obsolescence eventually start to set in and if no action is taken, the job and career are soon under serious threat.

Some of the most common signs of obsolescence include career stagnation – being at the same job and position for years with no signs of change in sight and living in the past by holding onto the good old days’ illusion.

Stagnation in career training and development is also a common sign. I recently met a lady who started some professional examinations in the 1980’s and she is yet to complete the same some 20 years later.

Reason? They have not had enough money despite being employed all this time. I told her frankly that she was lucky to still have a job but very soon she will be obsolete.

Clear growth plan

Other signs of obsolescence include delegating all the work and doing nothing all day. And others wake up to the realisation that the company can do without them as evidenced by lack of any unnoticeable change in productivity in their absence. Yet others suddenly find themselves bypassed by crucial work processes that have been altered in the face of changing technology and work approaches.

Obsolescence though unfortunate is a self imposed situation. No one makes you obsolete. Rather it is the decisions you make every day that determines your eventual state.

The following questions are worth asking; Are you in the right career? Do you have a clear growth plan for your career? Do you need just a job or to build a career? Do you like or despise training?

How comfortable are you with change? Are you conscious of your surroundings and other people’s perception of your job or contribution? Are you living today or in the fantasies of the past? How conscious are you of modern trends? Is your job under threat from new technologies?

Meaningful change will only happen when clear and objective answers to these questions are found, followed by the right remedial action.

For long term impact a culture of continuous self examination and improvement is crucial to ensure that regression does not occur. Your career will take the direction you have chosen. Avoid passing the buck and take back control. At the end of the day, the buck stops with you.

The writer is a human resources specialist with Peoplelink Consultants Ltd. Email: goretti@peoplelink.co.ke