6 Pieces of Stale Career Advice to Ignore

Christian Tröster, a professor at Germany’s Kühne Logistics University, said the hierarchy model is outdated. He recommended a “protean” career that changes shape over time, aiming for “psychological success.” The ultimate goal, he said, is “feeling proud and accomplished.” Warrell noted that flatter structures and AI are eliminating middle management rungs, and a lateral move or portfolio career can be more fulfilling.

Staying at least a year

Warrell said “smart” job changes, even quick ones, that show growing responsibility and new skills can strengthen a résumé. “It can be seen as a sign of ambition, adaptability, not instability,” she said.

Ignoring soft skills

AI is already taking over coding and other technical tasks. Menges said humans will still be needed to evaluate what AI produces, which requires emotion. Workers once suppressed feelings; now “you’ve got to bring those emotions back, because whatever AI does needs evaluation, and that evaluation comes down to how we feel about what appears on our screens,” he said.

Bringing your whole self to work

Georgetown professor Ella F. Washington told Business Insider the better idea is bringing your “whole professional self.” That might mean working with people you dislike or pushing past a bad mood. “If one part of your whole self is that you’re short-tempered and grumpy in the morning, don’t bring that self to work,” Warrell said.