I remember my early career years, especially the desire to grow – my skills, knowledge, scope, salary, credibility, and the list went on. Damn, I was eager. I put my hand up for everything. I was constantly looking to what’s next, changing roles every 18 – 24 months.
Fast forward 20-some-odd years and I find myself in quite a different reality. I’m still growing – after all this time – which is awesome, however it’s a deeper, more introspective type of growth rather than the more outwardly facing areas I relished in my twenties. Additionally, it’s less about what’s next and more about what’s possible, specifically as it pertains to the people I work with rather than my own agenda because well, my agenda has shifted from inward to outward. Somewhere in between these two stages was the messy middle that inadvertently landed me my “sweet spot”.
“In order to propel yourself through the long journey, you will need abundant supplies of career fuel.”
– Brian Fetherstonhaugh
Does this sound at all familiar to anyone? There are natural career phases that we unwittingly float through, often without the foresight of knowing where we are until one day you’re rapidly approaching 50 years-old and suddenly life is looking a whole lot clearer. Through the ups and downs of my career, I’ve realized that a career is not the 30-year sentence I once thought it was as a university student. Nor is it a marathon requiring a well established and steady pace. Rather, it is a series of sprints that require fueling – and resting – along the way.
How we fuel our career looks different at each stage. In his book, The Long View, Brian Fetherstonhaugh highlights three big career stages. Like a vehicle, I’ve experienced that each stage requires a different quality of fuel.
Stage One: Load up on regular fuel
Consider the eagerness to grow that I referred to early in my career. That eagerness would have stalled if I wasn’t loading my tank with a ton of regular fuel. What exactly does regular fuel translate to in career language? Building skills, experiences, and relationships; specifically ones that were transferable to different roles, companies, and industries.
After progressing several times with one company over the span of 12 years, I decided it was time to diversify. I took a new role which included accountabilities I’d not had before, with a new company I’d didn’t have an established track record with, in a new industry I knew very little about. In a moment of vulnerability, I asked my husband “What if my success to-date is based on the relationships I’ve made?” His response was cause for yet another learning moment, “That’s exactly why you’ve been successful. Now go put all the things you’ve learned to work and build new relationships.”
Stage Two: Switch to mid-grade fuel
The messy middle I referred to took place when a series of personal events collided with my professional career. It was here that I learned to accept my faults, identify my values and articulate my purpose. By doing so, I figured out a better way to address my shortcomings, honed my strengths, and pursued a differentiated path forward with a committed passion that not only felt right for me, but also added value for the companies I worked with. It was messy at times and my perseverance was tested, but I believe things worked out just as they were meant to be.
Stage Three: Pump the premium fuel
I believe I am entering stage three and I am super excited. Fetherstonhuagh earmarks this stage as “passing the torch and reigniting the flame”. While these descriptors resonate with me, I prefer to reference this as my “giving back” stage. It is in this stage of my career that I am fueled by igniting possibilities that exist far beyond me to ones that impact other people, the very people who will be leading in the future when I am transitioning to semi-retirement. It’s all about equipping the next generation to lead successfully and to find fulfillment in doing so.
Thankful for the rich experiences and relationships I have made over my career, I can share and teach through mentoring, coaching, and sponsoring others. I can fuel my value of contribution by offering perspective and lessons learned to new grads, developing leaders, and invested boards. In some ways, it’s a new start on a long career.
Whatever I do in this stage of my career I am excited because I’m leading with my purpose (igniting possibilities) and fueling my passion (helping others be their best). It feels great!
– Melissa Law
