Do you suffer from Vertex Syndrome?

Damn job! is a segment where Oliver Schmouker answers your toughest questions [et les plus pertinentes] In the modern business world… and, of course, its failures. Appointment to read Tuesday And yet Thursdays. Do you want to participate? Send us your question at [email protected]

Q. – “I have a job that I love, but I feel stagnant. I feel like I have reached the pinnacle of my career. And that’s killing my motivation even more. How can I rediscover the desire to give my 110%?” – Sergey

A. – Dear Sergey, Your motivation at work is failing and this worries you even more because you do not see where your career will turn. You have the unfortunate feeling of being stuck at the top of a mountain and the thought of coming down no more appeals to you than the thought of being alone for eternity.

Richard Pascale is an Associate Member of the Said Business School at the University of Oxford and was nominated by the magazine The Economist One of the 50 most influential management thinkers of the last 50 years. With American coach George Parsons, he reflected on the concept of a career. And he realizes that we often make the mistake of seeing a career as a straight line leading to a final peak. This is the source of many frustrations, especially what he calls “summit syndrome” which you seem to suffer from, Sergey. Description

In truth, a successful career is a series of S-curves. And to better visualize this, look at the capital S slightly curved to the right. It consists of five main points.

1. Ascent start, i.e. the starting point below S

It is time to step into a new role. The immediate task is to assess and collect the upcoming climbing requirements. For example, building a new network, building relationships with your new team, and developing a strategy for learning your new role.

2. The first steps, the lower curve of an inclined S

It is a period of learning and adapting to a new role. This includes developing appropriate skill levels, honing key skills and learning how to navigate our new professional ecosystem.

3. Reaching the apex, i.e. the first part of the curve from the top of the inclined S

At this point “vertex syndrome” may occur. We are in complete control of our role and yet illness sets in: like you, Sergey, we feel that we are treading water, that we have not learned many new things, that our performance can no longer advance. According to Richard Pascale and George Parsons, this all led to a crisis.

4. The plateau, i.e. the top of the curve at the top of the inclined S

A crisis manifests itself above the rise of S. We experience a strong inner turmoil, a turmoil that overtakes us for the rest of our careers.

5. Descent, i.e. the slope of the second part of the upper part of an inclined S curve

This is the terminal stage of the syndrome, characterized by a clear decline in functioning, often associated with negative behavior. All these are directly detrimental to career development.

The question is: how to correct the shooting when it comes to phase 3 or 4? Yes, how to avoid approaching the irresistible slope of stage 5?

According to two researchers, there is a need to “reinvent oneself”. That is, find yourself making new contributions to the collective.

To reinvent yourself, you need to work in two steps:

– Identify what you care about. In your day-to-day work, there are tasks that you enjoy more than others and therefore skills that you like to express more than others. List these skills, then highlight two or three that allow you to make a real difference, both individually and collectively.

– Focus on the thing you care about the most. In the two or three highlighted, think about how you can express the skill that most excites you. Go back to your to-do list and see if a simple tweak to it gets you there. Otherwise, consider a job that you don’t have, but that allows you to use this key skill more often. and make necessary changes for this purpose; Of course, it’s in agreement with your boss and your team.

The idea, in all of this, gives new inspiration to your daily work. For example, it means becoming the “go-to guy” when an unexpected event or seemingly intractable problem occurs: As soon as a colleague faces a difficulty, he knows he can knock on your door, and you all do. You can help him deal with it. Another example: You may be the “janitor” of the organization, i.e. the person who ensures that no errors or accidents occur and thereby keeps the business running smoothly. Come to think of it, the possibilities are almost endless.

By doing so, remember that you’ll be moving toward a new role within the organization that makes great use of one or more of your preferred skills. And since it’s going to be a new role, you’re going to find yourself in the early stages of a new S in your career. Yes, you will experience a new professional beginning!

There you go, Sergey. There’s no need to change employers or jobs when you feel you’ve peaked in your current position. If you like where you are, you might as well start rebuilding yourself. And the turn is played!