Why The Corporate Ladder Needs a Full Makeover

Career development ain’t what it used to be.

Building a more transparent corporate ladder. Pic by Christopher Burns

Career development ain’t what it used to be.

Success meant a linear climb to the top of one’s profession (or employer). Though some organizations are flexing their approach to career development — e.g., corporate lattice model— we are just scratching the surface.

Most companies still operate on a one-size-fits-all approach; the assumption that most employees are alike and driven by similar goals and objectives. Job descriptions, and required skill, define “career opportunities.”

Career change is the new normal.

Job hopping is rising (and not just among Millennials). A CareerBuilder survey showed that 45% of employees plan to stay with their employer for less than two years.

There’s not a clear consensus on what is considered a career change though. Some are venturing into a new industry; others want to start an entirely new profession. But there’s one common thread: most people are not very happy with their current job o…