Working on an executive search assignment recently, I was asked to find a strategic disruptive FMCG marketing director. This started me thinking more about the term ‘disruptive’ – a term being used liberally at the moment – everything from the retail sector being disrupted by online challengers to disruptive technologies that change how the world interacts, and so on.

The most common usage of the word means troublesome, undisciplined and attention-seeking, but it also means innovative, groundbreaking and unprecedented. I like the term. It gives licence to creativity and new approaches. It engenders a sense of excitement that we’re somehow entering a new era, beyond the cost cutting and often negative conservative behaviour and moving into uncharted waters where all things might be possible.

This is how many people come to view career change. Whether their ‘career disruption’ has been forced on them or they’ve made some tough decisions to disrupt their own career comfort zones, once they have formulated a plan that moves them positively forward, individuals find the possibilities are virtually endless.

So next time you find yourself in a position where you want to, or need to, disrupt certain aspects of your life, remember the very positive and life-affirming meaning of the word and take heart that only good will come of it.

About the Author

Katie Adler – the person behind Katie Adler Consulting

Katie Adler’s professional career is in senior executive search and the corporate sector. Katie is a Professional Member of the CDAA and helps individuals develop the diverse skills required to succeed in today’s competitive job market by delivering highly acclaimed career development programs and related  job search services.

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