“Boy, You Want a Hot Dog?” and Other Lessons Learned About Adapting to a Changing Work Environment

Written by: Douglas P. Bajor, CFA^®, CPA, CFP^®
Retired Senior Wealth
Management Advisor

“Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

Just gonna have to be a different man

Time may change me

But I can’t trace time.”

Changes by David Bowie


The advancements with AI are disconcerting for many people as they increase concerns about the ability to find or retain employment. Over the years, workers have had to adapt to many technological and economic challenges. I firmly believe that workers, young and old, will learn to adapt to the use of AI in their workplace and will demonstrate their value-added to their employers. Most recently, workers and companies adapted quite capably to the challenges presented by the Covid pandemic.

The AI evolution is already impacting how business is conducted. The evolution of the role of workers will have its fair share of bumps, but progress will be made. Workers will settle into this new economy in modified or new roles where their talents can best be utilized. A recent article from the Journal of Investments and Pensions* discussed how future work will not be defined as humans versus machines but rather “AI + HI” where human intelligence plays a key role in utilizing AI as a tool.

This commentary will share some key lessons about the value of work and adapting to challenges that arise. These lessons about work that can be readily applied to the current AI evolution include:

• Challenging times and circumstances force you to adapt whether caused by technology changes, restructuring, mergers or simply poor management decisions.
• Working through the tough times helps to build your self-worth and adds to your confidence.
• A strong work ethic with perseverance and persistence will help to drive success.
• At times, the need to pivot is required to get to a better place.
• Learning new skills is not a one and done proposition.
• Accuracy and details are important.

The following brief work stories help to illustrate the above points.

Boy, You Want a Hot Dog?

My dad was an hourly worker at the Ford Rouge Engine Plant for nearly 42 years with a four-year interruption for WWII. For most of my youth through grade school and high school, he worked the afternoon shift. Although he would have preferred a day shift, this was the best opportunity for him to provide for his family. He would usually arrive home at 1 to 2 AM, which then became his supper time. Periodically, he would stop for coney dogs (Detroit’s version of a hot dog with chili) on the way home and would wake up my two brothers and me with one of the most beautiful questions ever asked of a young man: “Boy, do you want a hot dog?” This simple act endeared our dad to us so much and exemplified the pride that he took in caring for his family. My dad saw significant changes in car technology, manufacturing techniques and job design over his career. His approach to work taught us to adapt to the challenges of work especially when the conditions were not exactly ideal, whether it was a tough economy or changes to our job responsibilities.

Public Accounting: No Eight Hour Days

I worked for a large public accounting firm for roughly three years after completing my bachelors degree at Michigan State University in 1981. The reality of public accounting was much different than the glamorous brochures and upbeat interviews. The long hours each week quickly became the norm, and I was expected to adapt to the challenges presented as an audit team member. My audits involved entities in government, insurance, banking, utilities and employee benefit plans. So, training and research was a constant to stay abreast of the nuances of each of these industries. Since this era was before laptop computers, electronic spreadsheets/word processing, cell phones and email, most of the work had to be conducted at client offices and was incredibly labor intensive. I had to adapt to life on the road as I was out of town roughly 70% of the time. Strong technical skills and the ability to deal with a wide range of personalities was paramount to being successful as I shifted from one engagement to another.

Pivot to Wealth Management: Dealing with Investment Clients

After departing from public accounting, I eventually made my way to working in wealth management after earning my MBA and the Chartered Financial Analyst designation. New skills and credentials opened doors to work opportunities that were more in-line with my interests. The investment markets are a story that is constantly unfolding. I needed to learn new systems for trading, research, performance measurement and tax reporting. Some of this technology involved algorithms to automate trading within certain parameters for selected accounts. Admittedly, this type of trading took some time to build trust (similar to self-driving cars). Also, I had to adapt to the changing perspectives of division managers and chief investment officers. I evolved over time into a variety of roles, from valuing closely-held businesses to strategy manager to regional chief investment officer. All in all, many client experiences especially during difficult economic times (Russian debt crisis, Y2K/internet bubble, 9/11, the Great Recession and Covid) shaped me in significant ways as it takes time to develop a relationship of trust, which is something AI cannot do without HI.

Late Career Restructuring: Going in Another Direction

A few months before I turned sixty years old, I was informed that the company I had worked for many years was going in another direction and decided to outsource several positions. This scenario is very similar to what many workers may face as companies shift more tasks to AI. For older workers, it can be especially challenging because they are too young to retire but may be viewed as too experienced by potential employers. After numerous interviews and networking efforts, I connected with Greenleaf Trust, one of the largest privately owned trust companies in the United States. Greenleaf Trust felt that my bevy of credentials and vast experience would greatly benefit their clients. However, given their strong focus on wealth planning, they wanted me to pursue the Certified Financial Planner designation. Admittedly, I was not looking for an additional professional designation, but this was the ticket to join this firm with which I was so impressed. So, even late in my career, it was imperative to keep adding new skills. The transition to Greenleaf Trust was well worth the effort. Their strong client service standards were very much in sync with my work approach. All in, it was a fine way to close out the final chapter of my career.

Summary

Companies and workers will find ways to best combine human intelligence with AI. This effort will lead to better opportunities for workers to add value and to enhance the profitability of the companies. Certainly, some jobs will be negatively affected, but other opportunities will also be created. It is important for workers and employers to be flexible and adaptable as this story is unfolding. Stay tuned!

Douglas Bajor is a retired investment strategist that provided investment management and wealth planning for private and institutional clients for nearly forty years after a brief tour of duty in public accounting.

* “The Human Advantage in an AI World” by Mary Leung, Asia Asset Management, The Journal of Investments and Pensions, March 10, 2026

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