Random Saturday musing:
Yesterday, I was listening to a trainer who wanted to apply for an individual contributor, administrative role in order to get “promoted”. It took me back to many years ago when I was in the same predicament. As a young, broke, and hungry trainer, I felt discontent at stagnation. So I clawed my way, successfully, “up to the next step”.
Instant regret.
I was able to do the work, submit the reports, exceed my scorecards, but I was still wildly unhappy. Which was confusing because I wasn’t supposed to be unhappy, I wanted the promotion! Why wasn’t it enough?
I realized I was happiest in front of a class. Actually, no. I was happiest when I was in front of a class and I saw the lightbulbs turn on. Since then, my life’s best work has been lighting those sparks.
I saw that same untapped energy in this trainer, like a reverse-Obscurus (#potterhead reference). She needed some guidance away from dark magic: the illusion that growth is linear, that up was the only way to go.
So like Snape, I told her to open her book to page three hundred and ninety-four, and showed her the ATD competency model.
💡
Growth isn’t linear, kids. #QuestionEverything
Orton Consulting, LLC 