You need to decide what problems, what opportunities, what projects you’re going to work on.

Fred L. Turner – McDonald’s CEO

Years ago, we wrote a book on the future of work being disrupted by VUCA – volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity. As part of the book, we invented and trademarked the term ‘VUCAN’.  VUCAN means that we are all living and coping now with a VUCA world.

As a VUCAN, AI is accelerating the disruption around us.  So, what can you do?  You can pivot to a number of different types of work:

• Process VUCANs: Every company has core workers. Core workers are corporate insiders, innovators, doer’s, maker’s, and core VUCANs. Process VUCANS keep the organization going and add value. Process VUCANs are usually risk averse wanting the stability of a guaranteed salary.

• Professional Project VUCANs: Project workers can be core to the organization or can be independent VUCAN contractors. They are often risk takers.

• Service/Gig VUCANs: Gig VUCANs are often independent contractors who work for a client on a project based on demand. They are risk takers who want additional income. Or, they can be service or relatively low-paid workers.

• Entrepreneurial  VUCANs: Entrepreneurs are small business owners or startup founders They are risk takers who follow their dreams. The challenge is that COVID ravaged small business entrepreneurs, who may now be risk-averse.

• Combination of above: VUCANs can also be a combination of the above. These VUCANs are usually risk sensitive. When the economy is good, they are entrepreneurs or professional project workers. When the economy is poor, they migrate the full-time equivalent, core work.

Work Lesson Earned: The Brand You Pivot can result in a worker moving from one type of work to another based on opportunities, personal risk preferences, fear, and context.