Latest news with #RobertE.Siegel
CNBC
11 hours ago
- Business
- CNBC
Robert E. Siegel
Robert E. Siegel is a Lecturer in Management at the Stanford Graduate School of Business and a venture investor. He has led research and written cases on a wide array of companies, including Google, Charles Schwab, Stripe, and Target. Robert is also the author of "The Systems Leader: Mastering the Cross-Pressures that Make or Break Today's Companies."
Forbes
19-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
4 Ways Gen Z Can Build A Brand To Avoid ‘Career Apocalypse'
Gen Z can't seem to get a break. Their negative stereotyped reputation seems to follow them like ageism follows older employees or sexism follows female employees. They are criticized for having too many rules, refusing to comply with corporate demands, being oppositional and lacking etiquette, reliability and flexibility. And now Gen Z graduates are facing limited job prospects from massive tech layoffs, AI competition and DOGE's ripple effect. Despite these limitations, though, some leaders are convinced that Gen Z can stand out if they build a strong personal brand in the hyper-competitive job market. Gen Z is entering a hyper-competitive job market, battling limited openings. On top of that, hiring managers have targeted them with a bum rap because they bring a fresh, yet controversial perspective to the modern workplace. Gen Z advocates for flexibility, work-life balance and mental health wellness. But 45% of hiring managers declare the younger generation is the worst to manage. Other managers complain that Gen Z is stressing them out and they would fire them if they could. I spoke by email with Robert E. Siegel, lecturer at Stanford GSB. He points out that, as workplaces evolve, it's a miscalculation to assume that younger generations will naturally adopt the work habits of their older colleagues. Siegel mentions that Gen X led the email revolution. Millennials embraced texting and smartphone-based messaging. Gen Z prefers Slack and real-time collaboration tools."The reality is, adaptability--not static expertise--is the key to long-term career success," he concludes. Other leaders also are speaking up about the generational divide. As young graduates are looking for job stability more than their dream job, critics are chastising the doubters, 'Stop vilifying Gen Z and focus on the value they bring to the workplace.' Concerned leaders are convinced that Gen Z faces a "career apocalypse" while trying to find employment with limited openings. Gen Zers are being ill-advised to "be professionally mean' to climb the career ladder. But experts believe this digital native generation can achieve more by building a strong personal brand in the hyper-competitive job market. I spoke with Sharat Potharaju, CEO of Uniqode to discuss how Gen Z candidates can strengthen their personal brand online and offline to avoid a "career apocalypse." Potharaju told me that AI-aided hiring and competitive recruiting practices make it harder to stand out and leave a lasting impression. In 2025, standing out in a crowded job market is essential whether you're a seasoned worker trying to future-proof your career or a Gen Z graduate entering the workforce for the first time. Potharaju encourages Gen Z to consider how they can stand out from the pack. 'Building a strong personal brand that bridges in-person and digital connections is a way to go beyond the credentials on a resume and help candidates amplify their professional value,' he says, adding that there are four strategies Gen Z can use to build a strong personal brand that resonates with hiring managers. 1. First of all, Potharaju urges candidates to make sure their unique value proposition defines who they are, what they stand for and what makes them stand out in terms of their professional reputation. 2. He emphasizes that a personal brand starts with a positive and authentic first impression, and in a digital-first world, that initial encounter can happen online or offline. 'Whether attending an in-person interview, participating in a networking event, posting on LinkedIn or creating an online portfolio, it's important to maintain a consistent, memorable and impactful image across every interaction.' 3. Potharaju recommends that Gen Zers elevate their networking and create lasting impressions with digital business cards (DBCs). 'A DBC can tell a candidate's unique story and expertise by linking to a personal statement, portfolio and social media handles,' he notes. 'DBCs also enable users to create multiple versions of a card to cater to different networking opportunities. Access to all of a candidate's assets and contact information from a customized DBC enables easy and effortless follow-up interactions.' 4. With so many people networking and looking for career opportunities, Potharaju contends that Gen Z candidates can stand out with follow-up interactions. 'A short, professional follow-up message within 24 hours of an initial meeting can reinforce the impact of a first impression. Share any relevant materials and reference a detail from the initial conversation to show engagement.' 'A personal brand is more than just credentials,' Potharaju explains, 'it's how a candidate can stand out with their value proposition, build a lasting connection and amplify their professional reputation.' He is convinced that Gen Z can stand out with hiring managers by setting the tone with a strong first impression, creating a consistent and authentic image and demonstrating expertise with a digital business card.
Forbes
19-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Future-Proofing Your Job: 5 Steps To Remain Indispensable Amid Layoffs
It's important to know how to remain indispensable in your job amid the tariff war, layoffs and ... More economic downturns. Amid plummeting consumer confidence, massive layoffs and unrelenting trade wars, experts agree that an economic downturn isn't just coming—it's already here. Job security and experience no longer guarantee your job. AI automation, inflation threats and drastic political changes are transforming the workplace. Experts caution that if you want to remain indispensable, you must constantly adapt, remain visible and sometimes go the extra mile, future-proofing your job in the face of the uncertainty. America's workforce is stressed out by current events and global political instability. Increased automation, economic uncertainty and upskilling have spurred a greater need for workers to future-proof their careers and learn new job skills. Robert E. Siegel, lecturer at Standord GSB and author of The Systems Leader, offers five tips on how workers can stay ahead of the seismic shifts and safeguard their future in this rapidly shifting economy. 1. Adopt a learning mindset. The most successful professionals treat education as a lifelong process, according to Siegel, investing time in new skills before they become essential. 'Treat your career as a continuous learning journey,' he suggests. 'Stay ahead by developing new skills before they become essential, ensuring you remain valuable in a rapidly evolving workplace.' 2. Develop cross-functional expertise. Employees who bridge disciplines—such as technology and leadership—become indispensable. 'Traditionally, executives rose to senior management through expertise in a single function—such as operations, sales, engineering or finance.' Siegel believes leaders can no longer afford to operate in silos. He insists that forward-thinking leaders develop the ability to engage with experts across different fields. 3. Leverage internal mobility. Siegel argues that sometimes the best career growth comes from within the company. He urges employees to explore those opportunities instead of only looking outside for growth. Organizations that encourage internal movement, he explains, reward employees who are willing to adapt and take on new challenges. 4. Understand how systems interact. 'The leaders who thrive aren't just domain experts; they grasp how different parts of an organization or industry connect and evolve,' Siegel says. 'The most successful professionals don't just excel in one area—they comprehend how different parts of a business or industry connect and influence each other.' He gives the examples of how incentives offered by a sales team can disrupt production demands. A cost-saving product change might alienate customers or cause product reliability problems. Or a marketing campaign needs both internal data and external customer insights to succeed 5. Stay adaptable, not just skilled. 'The pace of change means skills alone won't be enough—flexibility and a willingness to pivot are critical for long-term career security,' Siegel argues. He recommends that you prioritize adaptability over domain specific skills. 'Some professionals dismiss disruptive trends as temporary fads,' he points out. 'But ignoring shifts—whether AI, clean energy or changing workforce expectations—can be a costly mistake. Siegel is aware that workplace communication evolves. He says assuming younger workers will naturally adopt the habits of their elders is a miscalculation, reminding us that Boomers relied on typed memos and spontaneous calls. Gen X led the email revolution. Millennials embraced texting and smartphone-based messaging. Gen Z prefers Slack and real-time collaboration tools."The reality is, adaptability--not static expertise--is the key to long-term career success," he concludes. Standing out in the workplace, especially when you could be more invisible, is critical for your career advancement. Studies show that employees who feel seen are more likely to perform better. They're also more likely to be satisfied with their productivity, levels of engagement and job security. Being invisible has been shown to be detrimental to overall earning prospects over a person's career. When employees go the extra mile, managers usually notice, respect the extra effort and it bodes well for workers. Managers believe the efforts make employees more motivated, engaged and productive—favorable impressions that translate into action. Employees who go out of their way to be noticed are more likely to receive a promotion and a raise, compared to those who don't. Knowing how to get noticed can promote your career. Although it takes extra time and effort to maintain visibility, the payoff is well worth the effort. Here are steps you can take to make sure your hard work gets noticed: 1. Develop a 'visibility strategy." 2. Make sure all of your projects keep moving. 3. Take care of small details. 4. Offer new ideas. 5. Pitch in and lend a helping hand to overwhelmed co-workers. 6. Volunteer your time. As the workforce attempts to adjust to the economic downturn, visibility isn't always easy to maintain. Yet, it's hugely important for career advancement. If you want to be seen and heard effectively, finding the right role that matches your personal set of skills and a visibility strategy that puts you in the spotlight is the ticket to future-proofing your job.
