7 mistakes high achievers make when choosing their next career step (part 6)
Today, we’re continuing with our series 7 mistakes high achievers make when choosing their next career step :)
You can read the introduction to the series here.
You can read about Mistake #1: Thinking in terms of jobs and roles…Instead of thinking in terms of applications of their craft here.
You can read about Mistake #2: Thinking in terms of industries and functions…Instead of thinking in terms of goals, blockers, and problems to be solved here.
You can read about Mistake #3: Discounting the value of your craft because it comes easily to you here.
You can read about Mistake #4: Prematurely accepting tradeoffs here.
You can read about Mistake #5: Being in Execution Mode instead of Exploratory Mode here.
Now, let’s jump into Mistake #6.
Mistake #6: Using the School Grading Model instead of the Matchmaking Model.
As you look for your next career step…
Some of the work is reflection and introspection and research you do by yourself.
But inevitably, at some point, you have to talk to other people.
And the mistake I see high achievers make, when they talk to other people…
Is that they use the School Grading Model to evaluate how the conversation went and what to do next…
Instead of using the Matchmaking Model.
The School Grading Model works like this…
You’re a student in a class.
There’s a set curriculum that everyone needs to learn.
There’s a set rubric to evaluate whether you’ve learned the curriculum or not.
Everyone has agreed that learning the material and getting an A is good and important to do.
In this setting, if you get a C on a test…
Your conclusion is: I did a bad job. I need to study harder and get an A next time.
Because you’re being measured on a universal yardstick that everyone agreed to…
You should NOT cut your losses and give up on the class.
You should double down, figure out what went wrong, and try again to get an A.
The Matchmaking Model works like this…
You’re a person on a date.
You’re looking for one compatible match. (You just need one.)
And as you guys chat over drinks…
They mostly want to talk about sports, their job, and the marathon they’re training for.
And you mostly want to talk about the books you’re reading, your life outside of work, and the travel plans you have coming up.
And honestly, the conversation just isn’t that great.
In this setting, if the person doesn’t want to see you again…
Your conclusion is (or at least it should be): We just aren’t a match. I didn’t do a bad job. I don’t need to do anything differently. I just need to find a more compatible match.
Because you’re trying to find one compatible match (not measure up to a universal standard)…
You should NOT double down, become interested in sports, start training for a marathon, and try to make this person like you.
You should cut your losses and look for a better match.
As you start having conversations to brainstorm, refine, and pursue your next career step…
Some people will get it.
They’ll love what you have to say.
They’ll tell you that this makes a ton of sense.
They’ll happily connect you to more people.
And you’ll leave the call feeling fired up and energized.
And some people just won’t pick up what you’re putting down.
They’ll be skeptical.
They’ll look confused.
They’ll ask a bunch of doubtful questions.
They’ll tell you (politely) that you’re on the wrong track.
And you’ll leave the call feeling low and small.
The mistake that high achievers make is that, when they have a not-so-great conversation…
They’ll treat it like getting a C on a test…
Instead of treating it like a bad date.
They’ll start wondering what they’re doing wrong…
And what they need to do differently…
And whether they’re completely off base about their next step…
Instead of just saying, “Hmm, not a match. That’s annoying. Okay, on to the next!”
If you use the School Grading Model instead of the Matchmaking Model on these conversations…
You’re going to find yourself being whiplashed around like nobody’s business.
Because every person is going to have a different opinion on what you should do next.
(Especially if you’re not taking the “obvious next step.”)
And if you spend your time trying to get an A on 10 different people’s 10 different rubrics…
You’re going to spend a lot of time running around in circles.
And you’re going to lose sight of the one thing that matters — getting an A on YOUR own rubric.
So as you start having all these conversations…
Coffee chats, informational interviews, catch-up calls, recruiter screens, and full on interviews…
Remember that some will go well, and some will be clunkers.
And when you have a not-so-great call…
Remember to use the Matchmaking Model, not the School Grading Model.
Now, you might be wondering, “But what if that skeptical person is RIGHT?”
“What if I AM off base?”
“What if I AM explaining myself badly?”
“How do I know when it’s just a bad match, vs. when I really need to change something?”
That’s a great question for us to discuss together :)
You can drop by anytime for a no-strings-attached coffee chat ☕️
It’s not a sales pitch.
It’s just an opportunity for us to discuss whatever’s on your mind…
And I’ll offer some one-off coaching and brainstorming about your situation.
Or you can book a consult call, and we can map out a full coaching engagement.
So we can not only work together to navigate all the conversations you need to have…
But also get clear on what your next step should be.
And nail the transition from where you are right now to where you want to be.
⬅️ Mistake #5 || Mistake #7 ➡️
What my clients have to say…
“I'm a better leader and a better coach because I'm borrowing from some of the stuff that we worked on.
For example, I’m constantly pushing myself to be more of a leader and less of an individual contributor.
And I was able to borrow some of the tips, tricks, and ideas we worked on for myself and use them to coach a member of my team to also step out of the individual contributor role and into more of a leader role. I thought that was really cool.”
—Client | Head of Business Intelligence, Biopharma Company
I help high achievers build their careers around flow.
This requires…
Internally, learning how to access your flow no matter what’s going on around you
Externally, designing a career strategy that angles your flow at a high-priority problem that someone will pay you good money to solve
Tactically, navigating the transition from the role you’re in to the role you want
Today’s article focused on #2.
For more writing on all 3 of these, check out my table of contents.
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