Is It Time To Pivot? – Part 2 of 5
Pivots and identity crisis
In the last post, I mentioned the ‘Comfort Curve’—and the space between stagnation and chaos where pivots happen. Pivoting is how people survive. You don’t wait for things to break. You pivot when things are still working because you choose to be resilient. In the case of AI disruption, you’re choosing your unique human value proposition over a role that a line of code can easily replicate.
But what does pivoting look like in practice? To understand how to navigate a pivot, we need to look at a few pivots already in flight.
Four pivot stories
First, there’s Sarah. She was a Content Marketing Manager. When she saw that AI was commoditizing writing, she stopped being the writer and became the “editor” for AI-generated content. She took ownership of the AI content and will be safe for a few years until AI capabilities improve. At least she bought herself some time for her next pivot.
Then there’s James, a Software Engineer. He saw basic coding devolve into a race to the bottom, so he pivoted to Systems Reliability and Security. He moved to a field where human accountability and high-stakes judgment still matter. As AI capabilities improve in Systems Reliability and Security, he will need to make his next pivot. James also bought himself some more time before he needs to make his next pivot.
Then we have Mark. He’s our cautionary tale. He’s an experienced Project Manager who’s been out of work for two years. He’s still trying to find the same coordination roles he held five years ago—roles now handled by an automated Jira integration. He’s clinging to a specific “white-collar” identity that no longer exists. He’s looking backward when he should be looking at physical or “Human-Essential” roles.
Finally, there’s Elena. Elena was a Junior Coder. She saw the writing on the wall and made what I call a Hard Pivot. She retrained as a high-end Robotics Technician and traded her screen for a physical workshop. Her social status shifted, sure—but her career resilience? It’s improved at least until Physical AI catches up. Of all these pivots, Elena probably bought herself the longest time before her next pivot.
The real barrier to pivots: Your identity
But here’s what I’ve realized: The hardest part of a pivot isn’t the technology or the new skills that must be learned. It’s the Identity Crisis, which is a major barrier, especially in a Hard Pivot. We get so wrapped up in our titles that we confuse what we do with who we are. When someone sees their work automated away, whether an Engineer or a Paralegal, they are not just losing a job; they feel they’re losing their identity and status in society.
In our next episode, we’ll dive into the Four Archetypes of the New Economy—the Creatives, Caregivers, Custodians, and Curators—to help you figure out where to pivot to.
A few questions to reflect on
Is your workday mostly about executing tasks or making judgments?
Are you waiting for the world to return to “normal,” or are you building for the new reality?
And honestly, is your identity tied to a job title or to your ability to solve problems?
The hardest part of pivoting isn’t the technology or the new skills that must be learned. It’s the Identity Crisis. Keep in mind that a pivot is not a step down. Pivoting is how people survive. It’s a strategic maneuver toward higher ground. It’s choosing to protect your future over your ego.
The road ahead is yours to shape!
Suresh 😊
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