In today's rapidly changing job market, traditional career paths are increasingly unlikely to work out. The old model of climbing the career ladder, where success was achieved by simply “keeping your head down and putting in the work,” is fading out, explained career and leadership coach Dan Freehling, during a recent Devex career digital event.
According to Freehling, who is the founder of Contempus Leadership, this shift stems from “the modern career paradox,” a phenomenon driven by the transition from the industrial era to what is now referred to as the innovation or knowledge era.
“We’re moving away from people and careers fitting into a preordained framework,” Freehling said. This realization leads to two things: the need for adaptability and the growing importance of personal meaning, he explained, emphasizing that while modern professionals understand the flexibility required — constantly pivoting, learning, and experimenting — what’s less obvious is the personal element. In this new era, it's essential to honor individuality, purpose, and innovation — which is differentiation. In other words, you want to be highly adaptable and highly purposeful, Freehling explained.