🎙️ #55 Reinvention Playbook: How Generalists Win in the AI Era

From airline security shifts in Kyiv to retail entrepreneurship, Malaysian trade diplomacy, Microsoft, Broadcom, and now Cisco ThousandEyes, Elena Lukyanenko has lived five careers in one lifetime - long before she had the language for what it meant to be a generalist.In Episode 55 of The Generalists, Elena joins hosts Michael Smith Jr. and Raz Kotler to unpack how she reinvented herself across industries and continents, how she navigated layoffs twice, and why she believes that generalists thrive in chaotic environments. She explains her framework for “high-level generalism,” the internal work required to prepare for inevitable career shocks, and why identity cannot be built on titles alone.It’s a candid conversation on the realities of layoffs, career pivots, cultural transitions, self-discovery, and what it takes to build a meaningful life across borders. 📖 What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeHow Elena built careers across security, retail, trade, tech, cloud, and AI without a linear planWhy generalists thrive through pattern recognition, adaptability, and skill transferHow to prepare for layoffs before they happen and rebuild identity after job lossThe psychology behind reinvention, momentum, and avoiding the “victim spiral”The surprising story behind launching Graceful Edge and overcoming writing traumaHow dance, strength training, and tea ceremony anchor her mental performance👥 Hosts Michael Smith Jr.: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smittysgp/Raz Kotler: https://www.linkedin.com/in/razkotler👤 GuestElena Lukyanenko: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elukyanenko/🔗 Resources & Links Mentioned🚀 Companies & PlatformsCisco ThousandEyes: https://www.thousandeyes.comMicrosoft: https://www.microsoft.comBroadcom: https://www.broadcom.comPTL Group: https://www.ptl-group.comGraceful Edge (Elena’s Substack): https://www.thegracefuledge.comYammer: https://www.yammer.comPerplexity: https://www.perplexity.aiClaude: https://claude.aiGemini: https://ai.google/ChatGPT: https://chat.openai.com🎬 MoviesHer (2013): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1798709📚 BooksPSI Book (correct “C Book”): https://psi-book.com🧠 Communities & EventsLean In - Women in Tech: https://leanin.org/circles/lean-in-women-in-tech