We celebrated the end of summer with a hiking trip to the Appalachian Mountains of Western North Carolina.
A highlight of the trip was meeting a trail connector, someone in our group who knew how the mountain peaks are connected through hidden trails. Rather than following a single path all the way up a mountain we were able to quickly switch from trout fishing creeks, to overlooks and camping grounds. This made our trip more fulfilling and exciting.
It was a much better approach to exploring than following a single path going up the mountain. The similarities to how we climb the corporate ladder are interesting. We tend to choose a path to follow early on in our careers at a time when our life experiences are still very limited. We begin climbing a corporate ladder without really knowing if the ladder is even leaning against the right wall.
Maybe a better approach is to be perpetually on the lookout for connectors and hidden trails. The ultimate factor of success should be to become a connector for others as they begin their journey.
Dr. Julieta Ross 