SPOS #969 – Michael Horn On Making Progress In Your Career

Welcome to episode #969 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast.

Michael B. Horn is one of those rare people who seamlessly bridges the worlds of education, innovation, and career development. As the co-founder of the Clayton Christensen Institute and a teacher at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, Michael has dedicated his career to reimagining how we learn and work. He’s the author of several transformative books, including Disrupting Class, From Reopen To Reinvent, and his latest, Job Moves - 9 Steps For Making Progress In Your Career. In this conversation, Michael shares his thoughtful approach to helping individuals and organizations adapt to a world where education and careers are anything but linear. We discussed how his latest book applies the “Jobs to Be Done” theory to career moves, offering a framework that helps people align their work with their lives in a more meaningful way. Michael’s passion for unlocking potential shines through as we explore the challenges minimum wage workers face, the evolving role of AI in the workplace, and the need for more experiential learning in education. He also reflects on the legacy of his mentor, Clayton Christensen, and how his ideas continue to shape modern business and learning. What struck me most was Michael’s grounded optimism - he’s not just thinking about the future of work... he’s actively working to make it more accessible, human, and fulfilling. If you’re grappling with a career change, wondering how education needs to evolve, or just curious about how to thrive in an unpredictable world, this episode is full of insight and inspiration. Enjoy the conversation...

• Running time: 1:03:06.
• Hello from beautiful Montreal.
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• Here is my conversation with Michael B. Horn.
• Job Moves - 9 Steps For Making Progress In Your Career.
• From Reopen To Reinvent.
• Disrupting Class.
• Clayton Christensen Institute.
• Harvard Graduate School of Education.
• Follow Michael on X.
• Follow Michael on LinkedIn.
• This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'.

Chapters:

(00:00) - Navigating Career Choices in a Fluid Landscape.
(02:58) - The Evolution of Education and Work.
(06:06) - Understanding Learning Differences and Accommodations.
(08:51) - The Impact of Traditional Education on Career Paths.
(12:10) - The Value of Trades and Alternative Pathways.
(14:50) - Rethinking Professional Training in Healthcare.
(17:58) - The Role of Entrepreneurship in Modern Careers.
(21:09) - The Importance of Self-Discovery in Career Development.
(23:55) - Job Mobility and Employee Engagement.
(26:54) - The Challenges of Individual Needs in the Workplace.
(31:39) - Navigating Individual Needs in Organizations.
(35:40) - The Challenges of Minimum Wage and Job Mobility.
(41:49) - The Impact of AI on Job Markets.
(51:03) - Lessons from Clayton Christensen.