For the first time in history, a generation is emerging that cares more about experiences than possessions, a generation that is rolling out its own career path. ‘As an employer you are great, but I determine my career myself' is the attitude that more and more young employees are adopting. Jan Mühlfeit puts this forward. He was chairman of Microsoft Corporation Europe for many years. Nowadays he coaches individuals and organisations, and wrote the book 'The positive leader'.
As an employer, you are great, but I determine my career myself.
Our international network and knowledge organization TriFinance/Tri-ICT invited Jan Mühlfeit as guest speaker during the closing event of a series of virtual talks related to the campaign 'Leave Your Mark' and to the roadshow to promote the book 'Zo maak je carrière in finance / Comment faire carrière dans la finance?' (How to make a career in finance). The author and coach was on camera from his homeland and Wim Dierickx, head of Tri-ICT, interviewed him.
The technological baggage of young employees and the experience of older colleagues go hand in hand.
Nine months of work and then three months of travelling, Jan Mühlfeit gives this as an example of what young employees want nowadays. "Or take coaching. At Microsoft, we had an evaluation moment once a year. Today, young people want permanent feedback and more coaching. Moreover, sharing knowledge is no longer just top-down. The movement is also bottom-up because young people, as digital natives, are better able to deal with new technology than older people. Incidentally, there is no need for a generational conflict. The technological baggage of young employees and the experience of older colleagues go hand in hand".
Focusing on emotional intelligence
The coach emphasises the incredible technological evolution during the last two decades: "Social media, for example, are amazing". The fact that change is taking place so quickly is all the more reason for him to focus on emotional intelligence. "Knowing who you really are and what you like to do. And bring that knowledge into the job you choose, helps you a great deal on your way to professional success.”
“So does lifelong learning. Online you will find numerous learning opportunities. Furthermore, not only successes are learning moments. You also learn a lot from failures. Never give up. Be curious.” According to Jan Mühlfeit the long-term success of an organization is also largely due to its capacity to learn. "Many companies remain too stuck in the traditional model.”
Not only successes are learning moments. You also learn a lot from failures.
Mental resilience
Top athletes are amongst Jan Mühlfeit's customers. He points out that they not only need to be in good physical condition. "Half of your success has to do with mental resilience, which benefits from a positively oriented internal dialogue.” For the author it's not about the environment in which you find yourself, but about the decisions you make in that environment. "When I was told at the time that I was too thick for a tennis career, I went dieting and jogging. I became the best tennis player in the club."
Covid-19
Mental resilience also comes into play when the corona pandemic is discussed. The author talks about economics, technology and emotion. "There is uncertainty in society and the economy. Furthermore, the corona crisis is causing mental discomfort to many people," explains Jan Mühlfeit. He recommends to park Covid-19 alongside the road without underestimating the crisis. "Don't wave Covid-19 away, but don't fear it. Fear is a bad counsellor and takes performance down. Continue to do what you like as an employee. Stick to your daily structure. Stay in contact with others and lend a helping hand".
The debt, which increased considerably. The globalisation, which is slowing down. The digitalisation, which is accelerating. According to Jan Mühlfeit, these are the three major changes as a result of the Covid crisis. He says he doesn't have a crystal ball and doesn't know what it will be like after the corona pandemic. "However, two elements are of great importance. There is the disruptive technology that is going to change the economy. And there is a 'disruptive' generation that understands technology better and can deal with it better than the older generation".
