A J-Curve is what I call a risky career choice with a potentially big payoff. It’s a choice where you bet that you can transfer the skills you currently have to a completely new environment and the upside, if you do it successfully, is that you get to prove you are capable of more.
I love this take. I think this is important for people to read right now as everything around is is shifting so quickly. Finding your groove sometimes takes taking a step back. That’s proven true for me as well.
Molly, I love this article and have come back to it again and again as I think about my career development. Do you have any suggestions for how can you effectively engage your manager to find a j-curve opportunity in your current organisation? I know that’s the environment that I find most energising, but I also feel like it’s bold to ask your manager/org to take a risk on you in something untested (vs. being approached for an exciting new opportunity). Would love any insights on framing the “I want to find a J-curve opportunity” conversation!
Great question. If it were me, I would come to them with a list of things I love doing and either (a) ask if there are any areas where you can help the organization that map to those things or (b) come with a list of a few ideas to get the brainstorm started. I think owning your own growth is great AND it's important to focus on things that are aligned with needs inside the company / high priority areas. You can also look around you and try to find things that are constantly forgotten, overlooked, or causing your manager pain / annoyance. Those are often great places to start -- ways you can make their life easier that also provide growth for you...
I love this take. I think this is important for people to read right now as everything around is is shifting so quickly. Finding your groove sometimes takes taking a step back. That’s proven true for me as well.
Molly, I love this article and have come back to it again and again as I think about my career development. Do you have any suggestions for how can you effectively engage your manager to find a j-curve opportunity in your current organisation? I know that’s the environment that I find most energising, but I also feel like it’s bold to ask your manager/org to take a risk on you in something untested (vs. being approached for an exciting new opportunity). Would love any insights on framing the “I want to find a J-curve opportunity” conversation!
Great question. If it were me, I would come to them with a list of things I love doing and either (a) ask if there are any areas where you can help the organization that map to those things or (b) come with a list of a few ideas to get the brainstorm started. I think owning your own growth is great AND it's important to focus on things that are aligned with needs inside the company / high priority areas. You can also look around you and try to find things that are constantly forgotten, overlooked, or causing your manager pain / annoyance. Those are often great places to start -- ways you can make their life easier that also provide growth for you...