This morning, I was thinking that careers are more like jungle gyms than they are a ladder.
A quick search online tells me this isn’t an original idea.
Likely, I soaked in the concept when reading “Lean In” by Sheryl Sandberg years ago.
From a Forbes article in 2013, she states:
“A jungle gym scramble is the best description of my career. I could never have connected the dots from where I started to where I am today.” – Sheryl Sandberg
Another great quote from her speech to a Harvard graduating class goes a bit deeper:
“…look for opportunities, look for growth, look for impact, look for mission. Move sideways, move down, move on, move off. Build your skills, not your resume.” – Sheryl Sandberg
My Perspective – Infrastructure Needs a Shift
I agree 100% with Sheryl’s perspective.
There isn’t one “right” way to navigate a career and sticking to a traditional ladder doesn’t work for most.
Yet, when I think about it in application, there are few people considering the jungle gym.
We are hard wired as a society to default to the ladder concept.
Here are my thoughts on four areas that need to be reimagined for a future that celebrates the jungle gym.
Educational Systems
The career ladder fabric starts with the higher education system.
When you are barely an adult, you are pushed to put yourself in a box by choosing a major.
This sets the direction for the rest of your life.
What if education started to shift?
What if learning wasn’t something you focused on before a career, but rather throughout a career?
What if every 5 years you took a semester of classes to support the next phase of your career?
Corporate Policies
Companies still have ladder structures with more pay and responsibilities at the higher levels.
You climb until you “stop” and then you have a choice to jump to another company.
Or, be satisfied working in this job until you retire.
What if companies designed opportunities for individuals to step down the ladder.
Accommodating caregiving years (for children or parents) or the years leading up to retirement.
What if lateral moves could come with salary increases?
What if you could move across departments to learn new skills?
Personal Judgement
Because we are taught through our education and early career years that you should want to climb the corporate ladder.
We are afraid of being judged by others if we make a different choice.
What if we made bold career moves aspirational instead of negative?
What if we celebrated those who decided to stop the climb or move back down?
Support Structure
There is an absence of a support structure for individuals navigating the jungle gym.
Most employees don’t know who to go to for help navigating the tough decisions that will have a big impact on their lives.
What if coaching and mentorship were better understood and readily available to employees at all levels of the organization?
Your Turn
Have you considered your career as a jungle gym?
What would your career map look like?
Do you think you would consider your path differently if the jungle gym were the norm?