episode 63 - the word is hourglass

In this week’s episode of The Word is Leadership, I use the metaphor of an hourglass to reframe how leaders approach career development. When planning your career trajectory, the hourglass provides a unique lens for gaining clarity and momentum.

Leaders often view their careers as a funnel, narrowing with specialisation and limiting opportunities. However, a career is better understood as an hourglass:

The Upper Chamber - Realising Potential:
Early in your career, focus on building skills, gaining experiences, and proving your value.

The Narrow Neck - Avoiding the Mid-Career Trap:
Many professionals get stuck here, believing their specialisation restricts their opportunities.

The Lower Chamber - Broadening Impact:
Leadership involves moving beyond expertise to apply your experiences across the organisation.

Key Takeaways

Leadership isn’t just about expertise; it’s about leveraging experience to create value across the organization.

Avoid the mid-career trap by asking how your experience can serve others outside your immediate role.

If this episode resonated with you, please rate, review, share and, I hope, join me next week!