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Introduction
No one likes being caught off guard. Whether it’s in chess, business, or life, the worst position is one where your opponent makes a move—and you didn’t see it coming. Jacob Morgan, author, speaker, and certified futurist, believes this kind of thinking is exactly what separates professionals who thrive from those who get left behind.
In a time when AI, economic volatility, and hybrid work are upending everything we know about jobs, Jacob’s insight comes at the perfect moment. In this conversation, he breaks down how to anticipate change, stand out in a shifting market, and lead with both competence and connection.
If you're navigating early-career decisions, facing layoffs, or just trying to stay ahead, this is the playbook for staying relevant and resilient.
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Why Futurist Thinking Gives You a Career Edge
Most people associate the word “futurist” with someone vague—maybe someone who writes about robots or gives TED talks about flying cars. But Jacob is the real deal. As a professionally trained futurist with a certification in foresight, his job is to help people and companies avoid getting blindsided.
That’s exactly the mindset job seekers need in 2025.
Futurist thinking is like chess. It’s not about making one move and hoping for the best. It’s about anticipating what could happen three or four moves down the line—and preparing your responses in advance. In personal life, we do this all the time. Before you buy a house, you consider schools and resale value. On a date, you think about long-term compatibility. But when it comes to work, most people don’t think past their current project or next deadline.
That’s a mistake.
Job seekers need to build foresight into their careers. What industries are growing? What roles are vanishing? What technologies are shaping your future job before it even appears in a job posting?
If you can start seeing your career like a chessboard instead of a to-do list, you won’t just survive the changes ahead—you’ll lead through them.
Read more on how to stay ahead in competitive job markets here.
The AI Revolution Is Here—But Humans Still Win
Generative AI isn’t coming—it’s here. From ChatGPT to MidJourney, tools that were once niche are now becoming workplace essentials. As Jacob points out, it’s not just coders or data scientists who need to pay attention. Everyone—from designers to marketers to recruiters—will be impacted.
But here’s the good news: You don’t need to build AI to benefit from it.
Instead, the most valuable skill might be prompt engineering—learning how to ask the right questions to get the best outputs from these tools. Think of it as becoming an “AI translator.” In fact, this could become a full-blown career path of its own, especially in environments where AI literacy is low but demand is high.
The flip side? As technology becomes more embedded in our day-to-day, the human skills become even more valuable. Leaders who can coach, mentor, and motivate will become the glue that holds these automated workplaces together.
If you’re a job seeker today, learn how to leverage AI—but invest even more in the parts of your skill set that can’t be automated: curiosity, empathy, decision-making, and collaboration.
Let AI work for you, not against you.
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Work Has Changed—Are You Ready for the New Rules?
The pendulum of workplace power has swung wildly over the past five years. During the early pandemic, job seekers had the upper hand—remote work, big salaries, flexible schedules. But now, the tide is shifting.
Jacob notes that many organizations are pushing back. Expectations are changing. Hiring managers want to see drive, effort, and commitment—not entitlement.
That doesn’t mean you should stop advocating for flexibility or fair pay. But it does mean being realistic about what companies are looking for in 2025:
- Work ethic: Employers want to see that you’re here to solve problems, not just collect perks.
- Visibility: Out of sight, out of mind is real. You need to find ways to be visible and valuable—even if you're remote.
- Adaptability: As priorities shift, those who embrace new tools and changing expectations will win.
As Jacob puts it, “Convenience doesn’t equate to growth.” If you’re showing up with the mindset of “what can I learn, how can I contribute,” you’re already ahead of the crowd.
Read our latest breakdown on post-pandemic job market trends.
Rethinking Hybrid Work and Visibility
Hybrid work isn’t a free pass to skip the office—it’s a thoughtful blend of virtual and in-person collaboration based on the work you do. Jacob stresses that not all work is created equal: Writing a report? Fine to do from home. Collaborating on a new product launch? Better in person.
The real mistake isn’t hybrid work—it’s using it as a reason to disappear.
Jacob offers a clear, practical framework: focus on the task, not the calendar. What work needs to be done, and where can you do it best? Sometimes that means being in the office. Sometimes it means staying home. What matters is that you’re effective, present, and available.
Here’s why it matters: Visibility leads to opportunity.
If two employees perform equally well, but one regularly shows up and contributes in person while the other stays invisible, guess who gets tapped for growth roles? It’s not about favoritism—it’s about trust, presence, and access.
Hybrid isn’t just a convenience. It’s a strategic tool. Use it wisely, and it will accelerate your growth. Use it passively, and it might stall your career.
Want to stand out in hybrid hiring pipelines?
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Redefining Middle Management and Leadership in 2025
Middle managers used to be the messengers—taking directives from the top and passing them down. But that model doesn’t work in today’s flatter, faster, more dynamic organizations. It’s no surprise that mid-level roles are being cut in layoffs. But it’s not because those roles aren’t needed—it’s because the roles haven’t evolved.
According to Jacob, middle managers in 2025 need to become:
- Coaches: Developing talent, not just managing tasks.
- Culture builders: Reinforcing team values, especially across hybrid teams.
- Strategists: Influencing business outcomes, not just enforcing rules.
- Communicators: Translating vision into action, and feedback into insight.
And perhaps most importantly—they need to lead with vulnerability.
Jacob’s new book, Leading with Vulnerability, argues that the best leaders blend competence with connection. That means owning mistakes—but also showing how you’re learning from them. It means being transparent—but also taking action. Vulnerability isn’t weakness. It’s a tool for building trust.
This message matters for job seekers too. You don’t have to be perfect. You do have to be accountable, resilient, and real.
Conclusion: Lead With Vulnerability, Not Fear
If Jacob could go back and give his younger self one piece of advice, it would be simple: Lead with vulnerability.
It’s a message that applies to all of us. Whether you're applying to your first job, asking for a raise, or managing your first team—showing up honestly, with effort and accountability, is what sets you apart.
In a world reshaped by AI, remote work, and shifting norms, the key isn’t just learning the next tool or chasing the next title. It’s building the mindset and habits that keep you prepared no matter what changes next.
Because the truth is: surprises are inevitable. But with foresight, strategy, and emotional intelligence, you’ll never be unprepared.
Watch the full interview with Jacob Morgan here.
Things You Need While Searching for a Job
Once you are armed with the knowledge about what kind of job will make you happy, there are core things to get lined up for a job search. Let's look at a few.
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1 Value
2 Value
3 Value
4 Value
5 Value
What to Look for in a Job
Fun fact, most people will have about 12 different jobs in their working lifetime. This goes to show that finding a job that you love enough to hang onto takes some forethought and possibly a bit of trial and error. Just the same, you can make some plans in advance, helping you land in a position that leaves you perfectly content. Check out a few things to look for when looking for that perfect job.
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