How to build Anticipation Skills and level up at your work?

5 resources for you to learn from:

Jan 30, 2023

What are anticipation skills?

Anticipation is an invaluable tool for career growth because it allows individuals to actively search for and plan for potential opportunities and challenges that may arise in their field. This can help them to stay ahead of the curve and be prepared for any changes in the field, whether that means building the necessary skills, making meaningful connections, or being ready for any potential job opportunities. Additionally, the ability to anticipate and adapt to changes in the industry can show employers that the individual is capable of strategic thinking and being flexible in the face of changing conditions. This can be a critical factor in standing out in a competitive job market, as this forward-thinking and preparedness is sure to be valued by many employers.

What is anticipatory careering? (Source: Flex Jobs)

With the current market going through crazy fluctuations, now is the best time to invest in building your anticipation skills. It is not the first time that new emerging tech is rising or the first time when we are seeing recession and layoffs. So might as well equip yourself with tools and methods that are there for you when things take a downturn.

According to the above Flex Jobs article, they have coined a fascinating term called: anticipatory careering. But wait, what is it? This Article of Flex Jobs shares:

While no one has a crystal ball when it comes to their future career, it’s a good idea to start doing some serious planning for it now while you still can. Known as “anticipatory careering,” the idea is that every worker should be aware of the skills, education, and experience they possess—and their shelf life. Meaning at some point, everything you currently know as it relates to your job might become outdated and obsolete in the future.
The goal of anticipatory careering is understanding how to be prepared to transition into emerging job and career fields so that you can continue working well into your golden years.

Flex Jobs’ article talks about the following steps to build this skill:

Observe your industry: Keep up with the trends. I know it is easy to get left behind, but make sure you are aware of what is coming and what is currently the big new innovation in your industry. See what your competitors are doing. This one skill will make you invaluable at your company! Organizations need people who are a step ahead!
Follow thought leaders in your field: Who has been in your shoes and done what you aspire to do? Go follow them, learn from their experiences and stay motivated!
Explore other options: Look outside the box. Professions and jobs have new names and new and evolving descriptions. New industries are coming up! Look for them, be the first one to join an emerging company, and see how fast your career path grows! Some of the most successful professionals in Silicon Valley started as the first set of engineers at Facebook (now Meta) or Twitter or Uber. Find your opportunity.
Brush up on certain skills: Learning is now an ever going process. And as a professional who would like to get the best opportunities out there, try to keep up and educate yourself on new trends.
Change your mindset: Prepare that things can change anytime. Gone are the days, when we would find one job and stay there till retirement. Markets, industries, and skills would change and we need to keep up with the current times constantly.

CASE Study Time: Use this Amazon's Writing Backwards method to build Anticipation Skills at your job!

Amazon uses the backward writing technique to help teams focus on the customer experience when developing new products or services. The method involves starting with the end goal in mind and working backward to determine the steps needed to get there.

The idea behind the backward writing technique is that teams can create products and services that meet the customer's needs by starting with the end goal. This can help teams stay focused on the customer experience throughout development and avoid getting bogged down in technical details or internal processes.

When using the backward writing technique, teams write a script describing the customer experience from the result to the beginning. For example, a team might start by writing a script explaining how customers will use a new product or service and their experience. Then, they work backward to figure out the steps needed to make that experience a reality.

The backward writing technique can improve the customer experience and ensure that products and services are designed with the customer in mind. By starting with the end goal and working backward, teams can stay focused on the customer experience and create products and services that meet their needs.

Ian McAllister, Former Director of Amazon Day and former Director of Amazon Smile, wrote this detailed thread on Quora some time ago where he talked about the ‘Backward Writing’ method and an example of how to write it: Amazon's approach for product development.

Here is the example outline that Ian shared. Try this out while trying this technique out yourself:

Heading - Name the product in a way the reader (i.e. your target customers) will understand.
Sub-Heading - Describe who the market for the product is and what benefit they get. One sentence only underneath the title.
Summary - Give a summary of the product and the benefit. Assume the reader will not read anything else so make this paragraph good.
Problem - Describe the problem your product solves.
Solution - Describe how your product elegantly solves the problem.
Quote from You - A quote from a spokesperson in your company.
How to Get Started - Describe how easy it is to get started.
Customer Quote - Provide a quote from a hypothetical customer that describes how they experienced the benefit.
Closing and Call to Action - Wrap it up and give pointers where the reader should go next.

According to this Inc article by Justin Bariso, this is how this method can help you uplevel in your career:

Sometimes, we're emotionally attached to ideas that just aren't that good. But the more time and effort we invest into these ideas, the more difficult it is to let go of them. This can result in a lot of wasted time, energy, and other resources spent to build a product that was never going to be worth it in the end.
By working backwards, you get the chance to work on your idea and flesh it out. But you're also forced to put it to the test. After writing and rewriting, refining and reiterating, it will become clear if the idea is really worth pursuing. That clarity often helps you to let go of mediocre ideas so you can concentrate on great ones.
And when you do decide to move forward, your press release will help you to stay focused, to continue to see things through the eyes of your customer--and to communicate in a way they'll easily understand.
So, the next time you think you've got a great idea, start by working backwards--and transform your work from good to great.

Three tips for building anticipation skills at your job:

Cultivating anticipation skills can help you become a more effective professional in a variety of fields, including sales, marketing, and public speaking. Here are some tips for developing your anticipation skills:

Practice active listening: Anticipating the needs and wants of others starts with paying close attention to what they are saying. By practicing active listening, you can better understand the motivations and concerns of your clients, customers, or coworkers.
Get to know your audience: Understanding your audience is key to building anticipation. Take the time to get to know your clients, customers, or coworkers and what motivates them. This can help you tailor your message and create an experience that appeals to their interests and needs.
Be open to new ideas and perspectives: Anticipation skills require a willingness to think beyond your own assumptions and beliefs. Be open to new ideas and ways of thinking, and embrace change as an opportunity for growth and learning.

Book Recommendation to build Anticipation Skills for career growth: Think again By Adam Grant.

"Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know" is a book written by Adam Grant, a bestselling author and organizational psychologist. In the book, Grant explores the idea that a key to success and growth is embracing a growth mindset and being open to learning and change.

The book argues that people willing to think again and challenge their assumptions and beliefs are better equipped to grow, personally and professionally. Grant provides several examples from various industries and walks of life to demonstrate the power of being open to new ideas and ways of thinking.

One of the key takeaways from the book is the importance of being willing to consider new information and change your mind. Doing so can broaden your perspective and gain a deeper understanding of the world around you. This can lead to new insights, innovative solutions, and personal growth.

Regarding how the book can help build your career, "Think Again" provides a roadmap for developing a growth mindset and embracing change. By being open to new ideas and ways of thinking, you can become a more flexible, adaptive, and innovative professional. This can help you stay ahead of the curve, find new opportunities, and achieve tremendous success in your career.

"Think Again" is a thought-provoking and inspiring book that can help you build your career by showing you the power of being open to change and growth. Whether you are just starting out or looking to take your career to the next level, this book provides valuable insights and practical advice for achieving your goals.

Three podcasts to listen to build your anticipation skills

Here are three podcast episodes that can help you build your professional skills:

"How to Network Effectively" on the "How to Network" podcast: This episode provides tips and strategies for building your professional network and making meaningful connections. Topics include how to network at events, how to follow up with people you meet, and how to build lasting relationships.
"The Power of Mindset" on the "The Tim Ferriss Show" podcast: In this episode, Tim Ferriss interviews Carol Dweck, a psychologist and expert on the power of mindset. Dweck discusses the difference between a fixed and growth mindset and how having a growth mindset can impact your professional success.
"The Art of Negotiating" on the "HBR Ideacast" podcast: This episode features a conversation with Harvard Business School professor Deepak Malhotra on the art of negotiating. Malhotra provides tips and techniques for negotiating effectively and offers insights into how to get what you want while building relationships.

These episodes are just a few examples of the many resources available to help you build your professional skills. Whether you are looking to improve your networking, develop a growth mindset, or sharpen your negotiating skills, many podcasts and other resources are available to help you reach your goals.

Hope these resources help you start developing Anticipation skills too! Until next time!