Ben Brooks is Founder and CEO of Pilot, a software-based employee coaching platform. Careers are becoming more self-directed with people needing to be more self-aware, advocate for themselves, and make career development a priority. Ben explains how Pilot is reframing growth and development, enabling employers to support employees’ individual development while also improving competitiveness and retention.    

 

Key Takeaways:

[00:58 ] Every individual should plan to have 5 careers in their lifetime. 

[01:52 ] Nurturing employees’ potential is key for engaging and retaining them.

[03:40 ] The Future of Work is self-directed, which means a greater reliance on the human brain, not less. 

[07:03 ] Future of Work transformation has just started -- we are going through the teething stage now.

[08:22 ] Ben has had a varied career which he describes it as a zigzag. 

[10:25 ] Why was Ben’s first job at Enterprise the most fun job he had? 

[12:49 ] Why did Ben launch his career coaching platform, Pilot? 

[14:54 ] Most people do not feel powerful at work. 

[15:34 ] How to make employee growth and development a priority, not a hobby.

[16:47 ] We need help to focus as the attention economy pulls us in too many directions.

[17:56 ] One size doesn’t fit all for work or careers.

[18:35 ] Coaching helps unlock people being able to advocate for themselves.

[19:36 ] How Pilot handles the diversity of work across industries, organizations, and people.

[21:30 ] How Pilot helped a top salesman not have to choose between his health or success.

[22:25 ] Pilot enables users to focus on what really matters in life.

[25:24 ] Ben has a holistic approach when it comes to growth and development, focused on addressing current dissatisfaction and growing where you are.

[26:43 ] The commonalities in how to manage yourself as a professional and ensure the employee experiences suits you.

[28:17 ] The benefit of personal agility.

[29:42 ] A college degree is no longer sufficient. 

[31:37 ] What employees need to future proof their careers.

[32:55 ] Leadership is not a position.

[36:09 ] How to manage your own inclusion by decoding and explaining yourself to others.

[39:30 ] The intent to democratize coaching to support employees owning their careers.

[41:59 ] The strategic role of HR and their need for data is supported by the product’s design.

[43:02 ] Pilot’s initial non-enterprise version.

[44:45 ] What are some of the biggest misconceptions of coaching? 

[48:17 ] Immediate Action Tip: Look at any frustrations as an indicator to take action, advocate for yourself and own your life and experiences at work. 

 

Resources:

Pilot.coach

Ben on LinkedIn

Steve Jobs Commencement Speech

Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World

How Will You Measure Your Life? By Clayton Christensen 

 

Quotes: 

 

“The Future of Work is self-directed”.

 

“Most people do not feel powerful at work.” 

 

“The intent to democratize coaching.”

 

“People seldom regret speaking up and advocating for themselves.“