F6: Function: Why Your Career Path is Now Portable

We have to acknowledge how much the world has changed since the Baby Boomer generation entered the workforce. Back then, the "unspoken contract" between employer and employee was simple: you give us forty years of loyalty, and we will give you a pension, a gold watch, and a secure retirement.

Think of the legacy of companies like Xerox, IBM, Sears, or Westinghouse. These were more than just employers; they were institutions. They had robust internal infrastructure designed to take a "green" hire and mold them over decades. They offered good pensions and stock plans that made it worthwhile to develop, grow, and eventually retire in-house.



That world essentially no longer exists. Today, careers are portable. 401(k) plans are not tied to one building; they move with you or roll over when your employment changes. While this gives you more freedom, it also means the "paternal" nature of companies has faded. Most organizations today are optimized for quarterly results, not thirty-year career arcs. If you want to grow, you have to be the one watering the seeds. If you aren't intentional about your career path, you are effectively leaving your future in the hands of an HR department that might not even exist in five years.

As I mentioned in a previous post, What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up?, some people seem to know their career path from the time they can walk. They know exactly what they want to do and where they need to go to school to learn the trade.

However, I would argue that most people do not know. Most of us focus on one of many interests and head to a university "undecided," embarking on a very expensive journey just to find out what we want to do. If that was your experience, do not worry, you are in the majority. But while "undecided" is a fine place to start, it is a dangerous place to stay.

One of the most common mistakes I see young professionals make is trying to be a "leader" before they have mastered a "craft." There is a strong desire to jump into management before understanding the actual mechanics of the work.

Years ago, I received a piece of advice that changed my trajectory: Make sure you are very good at a specialty before you try to become a generalist. That specialty becomes your anchor. It gives you the solid footing you need to branch out later.

I chose Engineering and Quality. By mastering those specific "design spec" skills, I earned the credibility to eventually lead Operations and Supply Chain. Why? Because in the world of manufacturing and product development, everything eventually comes back to hitting the design specifications. If you cannot get the product right, the most efficient supply chain in the world will not save you. By becoming an expert in the "how" and "why" of the product first, I gained a reputation for reliability. That specialty made me portable. No matter where I went, that foundational knowledge was a high-value asset that spoke a universal language.

I have seen many people approach their careers by finding a foothold in a company and simply growing organically. They work hard, stay late, and hope that one day, a senior leader will notice and tap them on the shoulder for the next big promotion.

Unfortunately, many companies today do not have the infrastructure to develop talent or prepare you for that next level. They are focused on filling today’s gap, not preparing you for tomorrow’s opportunity. This leaves you with two choices:

1. Sit in the same role and hope you can self-develop enough to be ready when something opens up internally.
2. Find a promotional opportunity at another company that values your growth and offers a path for development.

If you sit in the same role waiting for an internal opening, you are essentially gambling with your most valuable asset: your time. Intentionality means realizing that if your current company does not have a development plan for you, you must create your own.

In 2026, the driver’s seat is the only place to be. Your Function is the engine that funds your Finance, supports your Fellowship, and provides the resources for your Freedom.

Your options and career will change and evolve over time, so make sure to remain open and consider the future as you map your career path. Do not wait for a career to be presented to you; nobody is going to take care of you or have more care for your career than you do.

To move from accidental growth to intentional mastery, I suggest two specific actions:

• Seek an Independent Perspective: Work with an independent coach or an internal company resource, but ensure your path aligns with the reality of the external world. An internal resource may have the company's best interest at heart; an independent mentor has yours.

• Build a 5-Year Roadmap: Identify the next three specific skills you need to master. Do not wait for your boss to tell you what they are. Research the roles you want and look at the "design specs" for those positions.

Stop being a passenger in your professional life. Take the wheel, master your craft, and drive with intention.

What is the "Specialty" you are mastering right now? Whether you are in an office or on a job site, I want to hear how you are taking the driver's seat in your career. Leave a comment below or head over to my Instagram @myfriendsdad to join the conversation. Let's make 2026 the year you stop waiting for a "tap on the shoulder" and start building your own path.