Sublime. Enticing. Bold. Breathtaking.
Are we describing the next iPhone or are we talking about the still-trending song, WAP, from Cardi B featuring Megan Thee Stallion?
Oh my! Maybe we should clarify that first.
Well, the latter wins out in this race, but the acronym itself made me think of alternative, anti-NSFW variations for my line of professional interest — career development.
In the age of fake news, COVID-19 and economic depression, people all over the country are reacting in different ways. Some people are continuing work as normal. Some are still working, but they are actively supplementing their income and/or boosting their skillset simultaneously. Unfortunately, a sizable contingent of people are still unemployed and surviving on their ever-diminishing savings and assets. Conversely, another group is working — albeit underemployed with a salary that does not keep pace with their respective expenses. As of today, roughly 1.62 million people in the United States are long-term unemployed while the monthly youth (16–24) unemployment rate is 14.7%, according to Statista.
Indeed, the results are staggering, but I will be the first to tell you how WAP can help people thrive during these unprecedented times.
Wait,… what?! How does WAP help anyone stay afloat in arguably the worst U.S. economy since The Great Depression?
While there’s definitely a time and a place for Cardi B’s version of WAP, there is an urgent call-to-action for Mercer County Works’ version of WAP … and that time is now!
The acronym “Working Ass Professional” is the mindset and moniker we need to adopt in order to sustainably adapt. Where adversity looms, there is also a shadow of opportunity, too — depending on how a person views the situation. There are many quotes that support the notion of progress over perfection. For this exercise, I’ll provide two profound perspectives that forever transformed how I view change and adaptation within a world of constraints.
“I’m up all night, getting my money right
Until the blue and whites (po po! po po! po po!)
Now the money comin’ slow, but at least a [expletive] know
Slow motion better than (no-oh! no-oh! no-oh!)”
— Kanye West’s verse on Common’s “The Food”
“Change the way you look at things and watch how the things you look at change. Nothing is more painful than failing to adapt to what the world does to you.” — Paraphrased quotable from my favorite teacher, Mr. Barnett
The WAP is needed more-than-ever in this “new normal economy.” The days of corporate loyalty and being guaranteed a job at the firm for 20–30 years are long gone. The high times of obtaining a graduate degree with the hopes of converting education for future compensation have come to a screeching halt. The expectation of salaries rising annually due to performance or a cost of living adjustment (COLA) have now turned foolish. The belief that you are an indispensable company person is…
I guess you get the point, right?
So, the WAP has learned to adopt several principles and standards that will not be compromised, even if the American and global economy experiences a surge in economic success like post-World War II and the “happy days” of the 1950s. This economy has awakened many people on social, political and economic levels and has provided the winds to sail confidently in a direction of change and progress. Remarkably, the protests of social injustice and inequality have been heard loudly in the echo-chamber of American corporate leadership. The WAP has noticed it all. Therefore, the WAP can be defined by:
Versatility
The top WAPs understand the allure and the need for being a Swiss army knife of skills. Perhaps, some companies prefer the nature of specialists versus generalists, but being able to possess a bottomless pit of knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) will benefit a WAP moonlighting as a 5–9pm freelancer, consultant or business owner. Never underestimate the power and flexibility that legitimate opportunity streams can provide to your professional and personal growth. In addition, an added benefit of building the foundation for external income drivers is the liberation that you feel from working on what you like/love. Moreover, your expansion of skills can be leveraged backwards-compatible to take on projects with the power to boost your employer’s competitive advantage. Admittedly, it may be somewhat taxing to work 9am — 5pm and then “5–9pm,” but creating another opportunity in these times can be viewed as a necessity, not an option.
Time Management
Speaking of the enterprising employee, the best WAPs have a superlative command of time. No, they are not magicians that can physically manipulate time. Rather, they are master planners that combine their organizational skills with purposeful action. Wearing too many hats? No problem. Need to meet or exceed deadlines? Yeah, I got that. Dealing with time constraints and limited resources? I have a remedy for that. These are the sample responses and a state of mind that a WAP employs, especially in a time of crisis or a situation calling for leadership. Twenty-four hours is the time allotted for everyone, so the top WAPs find a way to delegate, prioritize, automate and execute in order to stay ahead.
Embrace Change and the Digital Revolution
Today, in the unprecedented times of COVID-19 and “new normal” realities, I reflect on how powerful it is to embrace change. Adaption is the hallmark of the human species, so there is a strong, redeeming quality within the dynamism of making a choice. Either we will adapt to merely get by or we will adapt to win. To dominate. To prevail. Whichever verb that you prefer to choose, it is as simple as that. When making a change, it is not guaranteed that your actions will consistently produce positive results, but the fact that you made a choice to make a change is often the victory. Therefore, harboring a growth mindset and a wide-open panorama for opportunity will help any professional transition from an antiquated way of thoughts into a progressive avenue of words, actions, habits, values and destiny.
For example, imagine if you see your colleague today using a typewriter to write a memo instead of using Microsoft Word. Undoubtedly, you will be perplexed and feel the nagging tingle to inform your co-worker of an easier and modern way. Uninterested, your co-worker continues plugging away on the company memo, leaving you distressed to the point where you know that a lack of growth will breed his/her eventual demise.
Communication
Even if you are not a WAP at this present time, all people need to be able to effectively communicate in the workplace. It’s such a respected and required skill that more than two-thirds of recruiters across all industries say communication is the most important skill they look for, according to eSkill Talent Assessment Platform.
Well, if communication is that important, how does a WAP use communication to boost an employer’s competitive advantage? Closely consider how competent and timely communication can help leaders increase employee productivity. In fact, during COVID-19, and the digital age and its effect on the workplace, employees are regularly expecting a clear plan of action and updates on how their organization will respond to expected and unforeseen challenges. Additionally, communication from leaders can raise employee motivation if they are engaged, kept aware of the latest trends and coached on how to overcome issues in their respective role. Moreover, a WAP understands that communication is synonymous to profitability. Superb communicators build rapport and empathy for their co-workers. This human element, combined with the implementation and execution of best practice communication, can be the catalyst for employees to maximize the strengths of the business systems.
In closing, the WAP is indeed sublime, enticing, bold and breathtaking. To witness the versatility that a WAP carries inside and outside of the workplace is admirable. To view the effortlessness of time management exercised by a WAP will make the average employee scour David Allen’s Getting Things Done for immediate answers. To see the mastery in which the WAP embraces change as an active participant in the digital revolution is a marvel of respect. To be in the room as a WAP communicates will keep you engaged and motivated to feel the why behind exceeding company goals. To be a WAP, find what you bring to the workplace table and pull up a chair to be a contributing member of the conversation. This hidden worth inside you will welcome the dexterity to equally expand your value inside the bedroom (oh, I mean “boardroom”) and within your home office.