Is your career a Jungle Gym or a ladder?

3/9/2021

I was facilitating a book club conversation recently for the Womens Health Leadership Trust. We were discussing key messages from Sheryl Sandberg’s book Lean In.

One of the themes was careers are jungle gyms, not ladders.

The point being that we all make twists and turns on our way to a career we enjoy. Even when we “make it” to the position we’ve dreamed of, we continue to look for that next step.

At some point you’ll be asking yourself questions like:
“What’s my next step?”
“What do I want now?”
“Is it time to pivot?

When you ask yourself those questions, the most important thing to remember is that you get to decide. There’s no right way to do your career. You will be happiest when you do your career YOUR way.

Don’t wait to be tapped on the shoulder or for someone to ask you to take on a next step role.

This story from a woman at the Book Club broke my heart:

The executives at her company were making a decision about who to hire for a significant next level role. When the woman asked why they were not considering a talented woman in the organization, their response was “She didn’t ask.”

If you’re wondering what’s next in your career or there’s a woman on your team who you see has leadership potential, sign up for the next Women Managers Leadership Development Cohort.

The entire focus of the Cohort is on getting ready for the next step in your career.

We talk about how to build confidence, control the direction of your career, develop leadership presence and navigate work life balance. You’ll also end up with a network of women to learn with and grow together.

I’m a firm believer that learning is more fun and effective when you’re not doing it alone.

Registration is now open! The Q2 cohort kicks off on April 15.

For more information and to register reach out to Rita@WiseLeader.net, and go online to https://www.wiseleader.net/women-managers-cohort.html

I hope to see you on April 15!

Warm regards,