Marc Andreessen on Career Strategy

[David Sandusky]

Although one of my products is called The Strategic Career Plan, like a business plan, but for people, I clearly appreciate Andreessen's point as he says "The first rule of career planning: Do not plan your career." He goes on about opportunity and strategy making his blog post from a successful entrepreneur a must read. But like many other comments on the argument against planning for business or career, Marc proceeds with great advice that looks like a plan. Like any good plan, it will change and that is why you and your advisors review the plan. Within most of the successful executives and entrepreneurs I have interviewed, it seems a smart plan to get where they are was in place, even if accidental.

I say plan your career knowing the unknown is not a place of fear, but opportunity and change that is a constant. Your plan gives you the road map where you can communicate change in direction based on new market changes and opportunities. This helps you make choices based on your goals and the skills you are developing.

What do you think?

[BarJon]

I agree. The rules, building skills and opportunities and strategic thinking Marc suggests is career strategy. I see his point on opportunistic behavior, but even in his own example of people who pass obvious opportunity that present themself would be better off seeing it because they have a plan.

plans change...know why...

[David Sandusky]

Originally Posted by BarJon

plans change...know why...

My own story fits as an example - many of ours do. A career as an executive recruiter came out of left field. My insightful mentor knew my aspirations and passions, but felt I should hang out with grey hairs and learn how to build great teams. I did it.

I was supposed to be in "training" for two or three years. I stayed in search longer, but did continue some and have many many entrepreneurial ventures to go. Recruiting and interviewing became a core competency I did not know I have. So now that is included in what I seek and am sought after for in my strategy. The future...oh yea, that will change too based on experiences and risks.

This is where planning is based on experience and why so many plans fail - going into the unknown is not the past...but a GREAT start.