What makes a career successful? | Jos Akkermans | TEDxVUAmsterdam

Summary

In this insightful talk on career success, the speaker explores two key types of success: objective (promotions, salary increases) and subjective (personal fulfillment, work-life balance). They highlight factors that influence success, both controllable (skills, networking) and uncontrollable (personality, gender, ethnicity). Emphasizing the importance of a sustainable career, the speaker stresses the need to balance happiness, health, and productivity for long-term fulfillment. By defining success in personal terms and focusing on growth, individuals can craft careers that support both professional achievements and personal well-being.

Takeaways

• 😀 Career success is a complex and subjective concept, and its definition varies for different people.
• 😀 Objective career success is typically measured by promotions, salary increases, and professional advancement.
• 😀 Subjective career success is about personal fulfillment, such as meaningful work, work-life balance, and job satisfaction.
• 😀 Both objective and subjective career success are important, but they don't always correlate with each other.
• 😀 Certain personality traits, like conscientiousness, extroversion, and proactivity, are strong predictors of career success.
• 😀 Factors like gender, ethnicity, and job type (blue-collar vs. white-collar) can impact career success but are often beyond personal control.
• 😀 Networking and building relationships with key decision-makers are critical for career advancement, though this may raise questions of fairness.
• 😀 Hard work and skill development are crucial for career success, and these are factors that individuals can control.
• 😀 Career sustainability involves balancing happiness, health, and productivity over the long term.
• 😀 A sustainable career is one that allows for continuous personal and professional growth without leading to burnout or stagnation.
• 😀 To achieve sustainable success, individuals should consider both short-term career achievements and long-term well-being, making adjustments when necessary.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the speaker's talk?

The main topic of the speaker's talk is Career Success—how to achieve it and what factors contribute to it, including both objective and subjective measures.

How does the speaker define 'Career Success'?

Career Success is defined as the desirable outcomes and achievements related to one's career, encompassing both objective factors (like promotions and salary increases) and subjective factors (like personal satisfaction and meaningful work).

What are the two types of Career Success mentioned in the talk?

The two types of Career Success are objective Career Success (measurable achievements like promotions and salary increases) and subjective Career Success (personal satisfaction, meaningful work, and work-life balance).

Why does the speaker provide examples of a full professor and entrepreneurs?

The speaker uses the examples of a full professor and entrepreneurs to illustrate that Career Success can be defined in different ways, depending on an individual's goals and values. The professor represents classic success in academia, while the entrepreneurs prioritize a balanced life over further business expansion.

What factors contribute to objective Career Success?

Objective Career Success is typically determined by verifiable factors such as promotions, salary increases, and organizational status. These are measurable achievements that others can assess.

What is the importance of networking in Career Success?

Networking is critical because career advancement is often influenced by relationships with key decision-makers. Strategic networking can lead to promotions, sponsorships, and other career opportunities.

What are some factors affecting Career Success that are beyond an individual's control?

Factors such as personality traits, gender, ethnicity, and job type (e.g., blue-collar vs. white-collar work) can affect Career Success and are largely beyond an individual's control.

What is the double-edged sword mentioned regarding social strategies for Career Success?

The double-edged sword refers to the fact that while building relationships with decision-makers can enhance career success, it also introduces issues of fairness. People who are favored by decision-makers may advance even if others are more competent or hardworking.

What is the speaker's most hopeful conclusion about Career Success?

The speaker's most hopeful conclusion is that hard work and skill development lead to greater Career Success. Investing in knowledge, becoming an expert, and developing career-related competencies can help individuals control their career outcomes.

What is meant by 'sustainable careers,' and why are they important?

Sustainable careers are those that are designed to allow individuals to succeed over the long term without depleting their physical and mental resources. A sustainable career balances happiness, health, and productivity to avoid burnout and maintain long-term success.

What are the three key indicators of a sustainable career?

The three key indicators of a sustainable career are happiness, health, and productivity. All three factors are important for long-term career success, and achieving a balance between them is critical.

How should one approach career success over time, according to the speaker?

One should focus not just on short-term success, but on long-term career sustainability. This involves regularly assessing and balancing happiness, health, and productivity to avoid burnout and ensure continued career success.

How does the speaker suggest handling times when career success might temporarily focus on one aspect over another?

The speaker suggests that it’s normal to temporarily prioritize one aspect of career success (e.g., productivity) over others, especially during critical career moments like promotions. However, it's important to rebalance and recover afterward to avoid long-term negative effects.

What is the final question the speaker leaves the audience with?

The final question the speaker leaves with the audience is: 'What makes your career successful in a sustainable way, and what steps would you need to take to accomplish that?'