Job Flexibility: Embrace Change or Become Obsolete

“It is not the strongest of species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.”- Charles Darwin.  This contention could not be more “spot on” for the job market for treasury and finance professionals as the economy continues to work its way through this global financial crisis.  This crisis over the past two plus years has already cost financial professionals hundreds of thousands of jobs. Those professionals who have been fortunate enough to withstand the crisis thus far have had the bar of success raised, been expected to meet higher standards, and address issues never before even contemplated---all with less resources. Therefore, it is crucial that treasury and finance professionals take personal stock of their job flexibility.  A financial professional incapable of adapting to and embracing change will be like a fragile ceramic statue in the labor market where one small tremor can shatter a career into a million pieces.

Job flexibility can be measured in terms of internal and external flexibility. Internal flexibility is the ability of an employee to effectively respond to change within his or her current job, department, or company. External flexibility is the capacity for an employee to embrace change resulting from more macro level forces including changes to the industry of her employer or the economy.

The characteristics of a person that has a strong level of internal job flexibility include:
   1. A good (honest) sense of his or her current skill set. 
   2. An Understanding of show this skill set defines his productivity and contributes
       to the success of his employer.  
   3. Active management of his skill set to keep it in constant alignment with the
       objective of maximizing his value to his current employer.
   4.  Adjusting his skill set in response to changes in the strategic objectives of 
        his employer.
   5. Adjusting his skill set proactively to prepare for and not always reacting to
       change.

The characteristics of a person that has a strong level of external job flexibility include:
   1. A strong enough skill set to pursue more than one career path.
   2. The ability to move within a corporation going thru a downsizing.
   3. The courage to leave industry that is “on the way out”.
   4. Possess a skill set that is not industry specific.
   5. Excellent communication skills that facilitate a strong internal network within
       his employer and an external professional network among his peers.

Given these uncertain times even professionals at the top of their field can find themselves among the unemployed without notice. It is time for financial professionals take stock of their job flexibility and make sure that they are not delicate statues waiting to crack into millions of pieces as the “after shocks” of the global financial crisis and higher expectations continue to resonate.