Episode 80 - The ladder myth - why career ‘climbing' is outdated

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Career Espresso

Amanda Owen-Meehan

103 episodes

2 days ago

Career Espresso gives you a weekly shot of career and leadership know-how in under 15 minutes. I’m Amanda, and each week I share real stories and practical ideas to help you handle the challenges of work. from dealing with tricky bosses to building confidence as a leader. These short, straight-talking episodes are designed to give you something useful you can try for yourself and with your team. No fluff, no jargon — just honest conversations about how we work, lead and grow.

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 80 - The ladder myth - why career ‘climbing' is outdated

Career Espresso

11 minutes 7 seconds

8 months ago

Episode 80 - The ladder myth - why career ‘climbing' is outdated

Is the traditional career ladder holding you back?

In this episode of Career Espresso, your host Amanda challenges the outdated "career ladder" metaphor that dominates so many development conversations. If you've ever felt like a failure for not getting a promotion, worried that a lateral move means "giving up," or stressed about "falling behind" after taking time off—this episode reveals why those feelings stem from an obsolete framework that no longer serves us.

What you'll discover

➡️The historical context - Learn why the career ladder metaphor, which emerged in the 1950s, doesn't align with modern career trajectories where the average person holds 12-15 jobs in their lifetime.

➡️ The three major problems with ladder thinking and how it creates tunnel vision, unhealthy comparison, and ignores structural barriers—especially for women

➡️ Real-world transformation - Hear the compelling story of "Elise," who discovered that her ladder-focused mindset had blinded her to a landscape of possibilities that ultimately led to greater success and fulfillment

➡️ Modern alternatives to the ladder - Explore three powerful new metaphors, the Career Lattice, Career Portfolio, and Career Jungle Gym—backed by Harvard Business Review research showing that "zigzag" careers often lead to greater leadership roles

Including practical takeaways you can implement immediately -

✅ A 15-minute exercise to redefine success beyond titles and promotions

✅ Strategies to develop a "T-shaped" skill profile that combines depth and breadth

✅ Techniques for building a multi-dimensional network that provides more opportunities than vertical connections alone

Whether you're facing a career transition, feeling stuck in your progression, or simply questioning if there's a better way to approach your growth, this episode provides the framework to break free from outdated thinking and embrace a more expansive, authentic approach to career development.

Don't forget to take a look at this week's podsheet to support your learning and exploration of the key themes and topics

Get a full transcript of the episode here

Love the episode? Help other women discover these career-changing insights by subscribing and leaving a review wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Got questions or want to share your career transformation story? Reach out to amanda@wearereadytorise.com - we'd love to hear from you!

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