4 Steps to Take Today to Protect Your Career

If it feels like the workplace is starting to shift beneath your feet, you're not wrong. According to the latest report from Challenger, Gray & Christmas, U.S. employers announced more than 1.1 million job cuts in 2025 — the highest total since the height of the pandemic in 2020. From tech to finance to media, no industry went untouched. And if you haven’t already been impacted, someone close to you probably has.

When things are uncertain, it’s easy to retreat into maintenance mode. But the most successful professionals I know do the opposite: they adapt, learn and take action. So how can you not only keep your footing, but also build momentum in the year ahead? Here are four career strategies that can help you stand out, grow faster and stay in demand — no matter what the market looks like.

1. Use AI to Expand Your Creativity, Along With Your Efficiency

If you’re not already using AI at work, you’re falling behind. AI probably won’t replace you, but someone who knows how to use it effectively might. Whether you're generating ideas, summarizing reports, creating presentations or automating repetitive tasks, AI can free you up for higher-value, more strategic work.

Here’s the catch: many professionals, especially women and those from underrepresented groups, are using AI tools at lower rates than their peers. According to Harvard Business School, women are 30% less likely to use AI at work — a gap that can have long-term career consequences. The reasons are complex: trust issues, ethical concerns, time constraints and lack of training. But you can’t afford to let anything stop you from gaining AI fluency.

If your employer isn’t offering AI training, seek it out yourself. Practice using tools like Claude, Perplexity or Notion AI to support your daily tasks. Take online courses. Join communities. Then share what you learn. Being the person who brings smart tools to your team will boost your visibility, credibility and long-term value.

2. Invest in Your Network Before You Need It

Your network is your safety net. When layoffs happen, it’s often your relationships — not your résumé — that determine how quickly you rebound. In a high-turnover environment, trusted relationships are more important than ever. According to the 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer, trust in employers and institutions is falling, which means personal credibility carries more weight.

Many professionals dread networking, because it can feel transactional or awkward. That’s why I focus on intentional networking — building genuine, long-term relationships rooted in mutual respect and support. These are the connections that open doors, yield insights and spark honest feedback.

Career security in 2026 won’t be defined by a job title or a company name. It will be defined by your capacity to transform. The professionals who thrive are those who continuously learn, expand their skills, nurture their networks, and take bold risks that push them beyond the boundaries of their roles. In a volatile market, your ability to grow, connect, and deliver high-impact, meaningful work is what makes you undeniably indispensable." — Michael D. Hines, President and CEO of Thrive & Land

Start with generosity. Reach out to people you admire. Offer encouragement, a resource or a connection. Follow up. Show up. Then keep showing up. And don’t just think about what your network can do for you. Think about what you can build together.

3. Align Your Work With Your Values

In a competitive job market, performance matters. But so does energy. And nothing fuels your energy like doing meaningful work that aligns with your values. When you believe in what you do, you're more engaged, more collaborative and more resilient under pressure.

Research from McKinsey shows that employees who find purpose at work are four times more likely to be engaged and five times more likely to stay at their company long-term. For most professionals, that purpose is rooted in everyday drivers — creativity, community, challenge, inclusion — and how intentionally those elements show up in their role.

If you’re not sure where to start, pay attention to the moments when you feel energized versus depleted. Talk to a mentor. Explore passion projects inside your company. The more aligned you are with your work, the better you perform, and the more prepared you are for your next opportunity.

4. Focus on What Matters, and Let Go of the Rest

With so much change happening, it’s easy to get distracted or overwhelmed. That’s why focusing on what matters — and letting go of what doesn’t — is one of the most underrated skills for 2026.

Ask yourself: What are the three or four things I need to accomplish this quarter to grow in my role? What’s helping me get there, and what’s getting in the way? If your calendar is full of meetings that don’t serve your goals, it might be time to push back. If your to-do list is packed with low-impact tasks, delegate or renegotiate.

Protect your time for deep work. Block your calendar for learning and strategic thinking. Eliminate distractions. And if you lead a team, model these behaviors for others.

Final Thought: Don’t Wait to Be Told

The workplace isn’t going back to the way it was. Roles are changing. Skills are shifting. And those who wait to be told what to do next will find themselves left behind.

If you want to stand out, start now. Learn AI. Build your network. Align your work with your values. Focus your energy. The professionals who thrive in 2026 won’t be the ones who hustle hardest. They’ll be the ones who grow with purpose, stay connected, and lead with clarity.

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