This document discusses how career paths have changed from a linear "career ladder" model to a more flexible "career mountain climbing" model. It notes that the 30-year career at one company is now extinct due to globalization, technology, social changes, and the knowledge economy. Career mountain climbing requires more risk-taking, potential re-tooling, and having multiple career paths rather than one single path. The document provides tips for individuals to define their own success through a career mountain climbing approach, including conducting self and company analyses, setting goals and a development plan, using guides and mentors, developing skills and strengths, looking for opportunities, networking, and celebrating achievements.

1. Career Mountain Climbing
Forget the Ladder!
Joni Lindquist
Executive & Career Coach
KHC Wealth Management

2. A Brief History of
Career Choices for Women
Once upon a time…

3. Now, Opportunities Abound!

4. The Career Ladder Emerges
“Women and the Labyrinth of Leadership” by Eagly &
Carli, Harvard Business Review September 2007

5. Career Ladder Destroyed
● Globalization
● Technology
● Social Changes
● Knowledge
Economy

6. Its Now Career Mountain Climbing!
• 30 Year Career in One Company is Extinct!
• More Options – New Mountains!
• Ladders Don’t Work on Mountains
• No One “Right” Path, Likely
You Will Have Several Paths
• Requires More Risk Taking
• Could Require Re-Tooling

7. Define Your Success!
(Claim YOUR Mountain!)

8. Owning Your Career
Needs & Trends
Growth Segments
Skill Sets Required
Career
Mountain
Climbing
Guidebook
Gap Analysis
Situation Analysis
Values
Motivators
Interests
Financial
Implications
Skills
Strengths
Company
Individual
Professional
Goals
Financial
Plan

9. Complete Your Situation Analysis
Your Assets
• Key Strengths
– What do you naturally do
well?
– Identify your Top 5
• Key Skills
– Functional
– Management/Leadership
– Industry related
– Transferable
Your Foundation
• Values
– What is most important to you?
• Motivators
– What drives you to perform
your best?
• Interests
– What activities really interest
you?
• Financial Implications
– What are your financial goals to
support your life goals?

10. Complete Your Company
Situation Analysis
• Do Research
– Talk to superiors
– Pay attention to news
releases/internal com
– Read annual report
– Know your company
and department’s
strategic plan and goals
• Understand:
– Needs and Trends
– Growth Segments
– Key 2-3 year
Challenges
– What skill sets will be
required?

11. Your Development Plan – The 3 G’s
• Review Individual and Company Situation
analyses; identify Gaps – what skills and
experiences do you need to develop?
• What are your Goals – financial and
professional – for next three years?
• Get There - Your Career Mountain Climbing
Guidebook

12. Career Mountain Climbing
Guidebook
• Attitude Matters
• Build a Roadmap
• Use a Guide to Navigate
• Bring the Right Equipment
• Look for the Ledges
• Never Climb Alone
• Celebrate!

13. Attitude Matters
• Own Your Career
• Bring Energy; Don’t Deplete It
• Be Positive
• Be Persistent and Resilient – Don’t Let
Boulders Knock You Down!!
Attitude is a little thing that makes a big
difference. ~Winston Churchill

14. Resiliency
• The ability to:
– Persist when the unexpected happens
– Navigate through uncertainty and chaos
– Transcend common problems
– Build Reserves
Take the Career Resiliency Survey

15. Build a Roadmap
• Know Your Destinations (Goals), Revisit
• Develop a Plan, Fine-tune
• Think of it as Scaling the Mountain(s)
• Take Small Steps – Not Leaps
• Take Your Portable Equipment with you
A goal without a plan is just a wish. ~
Larry Elder

16. The Roadmap:
Career Development Plan
• Goals – 3-5 Year Goal; One Year Goal
• What Actions to Take in Next Year?
 Job assignments ■ Resources
 Training ■ Mentor/Coach/Mentee
 Networking ■ Industry participation
 Volunteer activities
• Available:
http://www.makinglifecount.com/pages/f_tools.htm

17. Use a Guide
• Accept Help to Navigate the Unknown
• Draw from Others’ Experience
Mentors
Career Coaches
Bosses
A lot of people have gone further than they thought they
could because someone else thought they could ~
Unknown

18. Bring the Right Equipment
• Know . . .
• And Build . . .
Your Transferable Skills
• Know . . .
• Know How to Use . . .
Your Strengths
• Match to Environment (Market Trends)

19. Transferable Skills Inventory
SKILL Accomp.
#1
Accomp.
#2
Accomp.
#3
Accomp.
#4
Influencing √√√ √√√ √
Building EffectiveTeams √ √√√ √
Negotiating
StrategicThinking √√√ √
Driving Change
Timely decision making √ √√√
Processmanagement √

20. Transferable Skills & Strengths
• Complete inventory
– Email me: jlindquist@makinglifecount.com
• Read Strengthsfinder 2.0 or Strengths Based
Leadership by Tom Rath

21. Look for the Ledges
• Seek Out Opportunities
• Climbing Side-ways or Stepping Downward to Reach
Your Destination is OK!!
• Get “Line” Experience
• Work with Paying Customers
• Follow Your Passions & Interests
• Keep Attuned to the Scenery (Market Trends)
Sometimes we stare so long at a door that is closing
that we see too late the one that is open ~
Alexander Graham Bell

22. Never Climb Alone
• Develop and Maintain Strong Support
Network
• Networking is 2 Way
• Pay it Forward
• Map Your Network
– Start filling in gaps

23. Celebrate!!
Celebrate the journey
and the milestones!
We have lots of options!
Claim your mountain!!

24. Prepare for Career Mountain
Climbing
• Its’ not about the ladder anymore
• You can choose your mountain(s) – OWN
YOUR CAREER
• Bring the right attitude & equipment
• Look for the ledges (opportunities)
• Use a guide, climb with others
• Build roadmap, celebrate