A masterfully structured guide that transforms career uncertainty into a practical, purposeful journey. Alex McCann offers a refreshing antidote to vague advice, grounding each stage in clarity, experimentation, and community. His emphasis on adjacent possibilities and skill stacking is especially insightful, reminding us that reinvention is rarely a leap, it’s a series of thoughtful steps. Calm, empowering, and deeply actionable.
As someone in the middle of a career change and experimenting along the way, this was just what I needed! A lot to take notes from and do! Keep up the great share, Alex!
This is a fantastic, practical guide for transforming your career! Last week, I published a piece (with similar sentiments) about how to approach the decision of whether to go back to school to obtain an advanced degree or not, with an emphasis of figuring out what you truly want to do before investing that time and money. Now I want to make your article a mandatory read before people dive into mine!
I have a different challenge - I know what I want to do and have done it(certain types of consulting) but the traditional ways of doing it don’t align with who I want to be or the lifestyle I want to live. Any thoughts on how to be creative with how you engage with your profession?
I really like the word experiment Alex. I was reading The Laws of Creativity a few years back and I read about what's called Zeitgeist Inflection = False beginning. We meet people at a certain stage of their success. But we don't see the "invisible work" - all the experiments they did to be where they're. Nothing happens overnight. Same goes for great careers in anything.
I thoroughly enjoyed my experience — it really transformed the way I think, feel, and behave as a leader. Yes, through hard technical skills (finance, economics) but much of it was also deeply focused on what it means to embody good leadership.
Like much of academia, it's not for everybody, and it's not the *only* way to learn. But it really resonated with me.
That said, the learning does not stop there, so it's great to witness many perspectives like yours also.
I appreciate a lot of what you put together here and looking at it as ‘experiments’. I call them 'PIVOTS' (https://open.substack.com/pub/getreal25/p/pivot?r=61r4yl&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false) and I think the key is not being afraid of veering off path. The path to your ideal destination may not look like you thought, but you can still get there if you remain open minded. Also KEY to be able to talk to you different changes and confidently! Then you're selling your strategic decision making abilities, not just your career skillset.
Really appreciate the order you laid out—internal clarity before anything else. Most advice skips that step and wonders why people crash. I’ve been circling that same problem in Master the Muse: until you know what matters to you, no tactic will stick.
My plan isn’t a five-year roadmap—it’s a series of experiments. I’m testing projects, building momentum, and watching which ones light me up and actually move the needle. The goal isn’t to have it all mapped out, it’s to keep moving, learning, and adjusting until the direction becomes undeniable.
Practical question - how do you start with creation experiments if you don't work in an organisation, e.g. unemployed? Many organisations will not allow an outsider to shadow and observe their employees.
The experiments don’t need to be within an organisation.
You could always arrange a call with someone who works in an organisation that interests you. It’s not hard to get started and create something yourself, there’s so many tools out there! :))
A masterfully structured guide that transforms career uncertainty into a practical, purposeful journey. Alex McCann offers a refreshing antidote to vague advice, grounding each stage in clarity, experimentation, and community. His emphasis on adjacent possibilities and skill stacking is especially insightful, reminding us that reinvention is rarely a leap, it’s a series of thoughtful steps. Calm, empowering, and deeply actionable.
Thanks for your kind words!
Ahh, the Adjacent Possible. That’s gold. All of this article is great and I need to read it again and digest it. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much! Really glad you enjoyed it :))
Great guide! Very practical
Glad it was helpful!
As someone in the middle of a career change and experimenting along the way, this was just what I needed! A lot to take notes from and do! Keep up the great share, Alex!
Really glad to hear it! Thanks for your comment.
Love this - The adjacent possible! I think that's what's missing most of the time - the bridge.
Thanks! Glad it resonated with you :))
This is a fantastic, practical guide for transforming your career! Last week, I published a piece (with similar sentiments) about how to approach the decision of whether to go back to school to obtain an advanced degree or not, with an emphasis of figuring out what you truly want to do before investing that time and money. Now I want to make your article a mandatory read before people dive into mine!
https://www.newropes.com/p/going-back-to-school-isnt-the-answer?r=3ptpjw
Very cool! Thanks for sharing I will check this out.
This approach doesn't fit the labour market in my country but hopefully it will someday.
Which country do you live in?
The UK
I have a different challenge - I know what I want to do and have done it(certain types of consulting) but the traditional ways of doing it don’t align with who I want to be or the lifestyle I want to live. Any thoughts on how to be creative with how you engage with your profession?
Why do you feel that you need to stick to the traditional ways of doing it?
Do you have any way that these ways are more effective at solving the problem?
I really like the word experiment Alex. I was reading The Laws of Creativity a few years back and I read about what's called Zeitgeist Inflection = False beginning. We meet people at a certain stage of their success. But we don't see the "invisible work" - all the experiments they did to be where they're. Nothing happens overnight. Same goes for great careers in anything.
Thanks Kate!
This is some really great insight. Would you reccommend the book?
"You need bridgers because some doors only open from the inside."
Wow, wow, wow. Such a great article. If only they taught this to me and the many other career transitions during my MBA program.
Thanks so much! How did you find your MBA? I've heard very mixed reviews of those programmes.
I thoroughly enjoyed my experience — it really transformed the way I think, feel, and behave as a leader. Yes, through hard technical skills (finance, economics) but much of it was also deeply focused on what it means to embody good leadership.
Like much of academia, it's not for everybody, and it's not the *only* way to learn. But it really resonated with me.
That said, the learning does not stop there, so it's great to witness many perspectives like yours also.
Love this and so useful for where I am in my career life. Thank you Alex!
My pleasure!
This was helpful in considering a potential big career change, thank you for sharing!
Glad to hear it! What are you thinking of changing to?
I appreciate a lot of what you put together here and looking at it as ‘experiments’. I call them 'PIVOTS' (https://open.substack.com/pub/getreal25/p/pivot?r=61r4yl&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false) and I think the key is not being afraid of veering off path. The path to your ideal destination may not look like you thought, but you can still get there if you remain open minded. Also KEY to be able to talk to you different changes and confidently! Then you're selling your strategic decision making abilities, not just your career skillset.
Love it! Will check this out
Really appreciate the order you laid out—internal clarity before anything else. Most advice skips that step and wonders why people crash. I’ve been circling that same problem in Master the Muse: until you know what matters to you, no tactic will stick.
Glad to hear that you agree with the structure! What’s your plan of action?
My plan isn’t a five-year roadmap—it’s a series of experiments. I’m testing projects, building momentum, and watching which ones light me up and actually move the needle. The goal isn’t to have it all mapped out, it’s to keep moving, learning, and adjusting until the direction becomes undeniable.
Love that! That's the way it should be in my opinion
Practical question - how do you start with creation experiments if you don't work in an organisation, e.g. unemployed? Many organisations will not allow an outsider to shadow and observe their employees.
The experiments don’t need to be within an organisation.
You could always arrange a call with someone who works in an organisation that interests you. It’s not hard to get started and create something yourself, there’s so many tools out there! :))
Happy stumbling on this. 🙌
Thanks Paolo!