There’s a lot of noise about the pace of change, and wild forecasting about what it means for humanity. Particularly when it comes to work and the jobs of the future.

Sadly - like everyone else - I don’t have a crystal ball. But there is some data we can get from looking backwards that’s very useful: what doesn’t change.

Out of the many hours I’ve sat through, there’s only one framework that I actively use. It’s so simple and so effective, I have brought it into every role I’ve had, and share it with every new manager and ambitious graduate I work with. This is it.

“What are your weaknesses?”

“I’m a perfectionist.”

It’s a stock answer to a bad interview question. We roll our eyes.

But there’s a bigger red flag here, beyond the total lack of imagination (if that weren’t enough).