From the opportunity-sensitivity standpoint, I like to append herewith a wise message from global technology futurist Daniel Burrus.

"It is important that all business leaders and executives find their way in becoming the force of change in their industry from inside their company rather than watching change disrupt them from the outside world."

To me, his astute observation applies equally for any professional who wants to stay relevant in today's VUCANT world.

As a matter of fact, it reminds me of what former GE Chairman & CEO Jack Welch once said:

"When the rate of change outside exceeds the rate of change inside, the end is in sight.“

To paraphrase Dr Maxwell Maltz writing in his Psycho-Cybernetics classic:

"What is opportunity, and when does it knock? It never knocks. You can wait a whole lifetime, listening, hoping, and you will hear no knocking. None at all.

You are opportunity, and you must knock on the door leading to your destiny.

You prepare yourself to recognize opportunity, to pursue and seize opportunity as you develop the strength of your personality, and build a self-image with which you are able to live -- with your self-respect alive and growing."

Putting all these astute observations together and taking a deep drive into what Daniel Burrus has highlighted in the preamble, here are my personal thoughts:

• Be prepared, by relentlessly increasing our  skills and competencies;
• Learn to develop a strategic eye and long-range vision in looking at emerging trends (Daniel Burrus calls it strategic anticipation);
• Constantly talk to knowledgeable persons, including our customers, suppliers and facilitators like bankers,  in and out of our industry;
• Continuously expand our strategic portfolio via cross-skilling, up-skilling, re-skilling and even expert-skilling initiatives via the cycle of learning, unlearning and relearning;
• Pay attention to what's happening and even what's not yet happening (be anticipatory, as Daniel Burrus loves to put it);
• Be inquisitive, and ask a lot of questions!
• Read, read and read widely and deeply, as well as differently;

In summing up, I like to draw intellectual cues from Dr Maxwell Maltz:

"Self improvement is the name of the game, and your primary objective is to strengthen yourself, ... "

Godspeed!