Career Plateau
Exploring Career Plateaus: Understanding, Causes, and Management
Unveiling Career Plateau
Defining Career Plateau:
A career plateau can be best described as phases in one’s professional journey when a sense of stagnation sets in, hindering further progress. Indicators of a career plateau include feeling confined to a specific job or position, experiencing perpetual boredom, and grappling with a sense of unfulfillment. Essentially, it is the sensation of being entrenched in a current position with limited room for advancement.
Unraveling the Causes
Internal and External Factors:
The causes of a career plateau are distinctive to each individual’s journey and are categorized into two realms: internal reasons and external reasons. Below, we explore examples of both internal and external factors contributing to career plateaus.
- Internal Reasons: When an employee acquires additional skills and senses outgrowing their current position.
- External Reasons: When an employee encounters barriers preventing upward mobility within the company, fostering a feeling of being “stuck.”
Optimal Occurrence of Career Plateau
Navigating Internal and External Dynamics:
An internal reason for a career plateau often arises when an employee, having acquired more skills, feels the need to transcend their current role. Conversely, an external reason emerges when an employee reaches a point where upward progression within the company becomes unattainable, fostering a sense of stagnation.
Illustrative Career Plateau Scenario
Ned Morris’s Journey:
A poignant illustration of a career plateau is depicted in the ScienceDirect article titled “The Career Plateau: Causes and Effects.” Ned Morris, a chemical engineer with an MBA, worked at XYZ Chemicals since obtaining his degree. At 45, Morris felt a decline in opportunities within the firm, despite once being hailed as the “whiz kid.” His experience exemplifies the limitations imposed by hierarchical structures in companies, a prevalent aspect of career plateaus.
Mastering Career Plateau
Tailoring Strategies for Overcoming Stagnation:
Effectively managing a career plateau hinges on understanding its root cause. If it results from limited growth opportunities within the current company or outgrowing a position, exploring new roles in a broader market or a different company becomes a viable option. However, identifying an occupation that aligns with one’s skill set and feels like a better fit can be a nuanced process. Throughout the process of addressing and managing a career plateau, it is crucial not to succumb to discouragement or self-blame.
Insights from Jenny Blake
Perspective on Career Plateau:
Jenny Blake, author of “Pivot: The Only Move That Matters is Your Next One,” challenges the perception of a career plateau as a problem to be taken personally. In an interview with Quora, she notes that one of the misconceptions is viewing a career plateau negatively. Boredom, a common symptom of a plateau, serves as an opportunity for heightened creativity. Instead of allowing the plateau to dampen spirits, Blake encourages individuals to celebrate it as a sign of success. Embrace the boredom, explore your creativity, and let the plateau propel you toward exciting future opportunities.