Forget the Corporate Ladder — Winners Take Risks | Molly Graham | TED

Summary

In this inspiring talk, the speaker challenges the conventional career path of 'climbing the stairs,' where one must follow a linear progression of majors, jobs, and promotions. Instead, the speaker advocates for taking risks—'jumping off cliffs'—to discover true potential and growth. By sharing personal experiences, the speaker explains how embracing new, uncomfortable opportunities can lead to unexpected success, offering valuable lessons on overcoming fear, learning from mistakes, and becoming a lifelong learner. Ultimately, the talk encourages embracing change and stepping outside your comfort zone to unlock real career fulfillment.

Takeaways

• 😀 The traditional career path, likened to 'the stairs', creates the illusion of safety and security but can lead to stagnation.
• 😀 Career success is no longer about steadily climbing the ladder; it’s about taking risks and embracing the unknown.
• 😀 Jumping off cliffs, or taking risks, is essential for growth and career transformation.
• 😀 Fear of failure often holds people back, but it’s the kind of fear that signals it's time to take action and leap into something new.
• 😀 The initial phase of jumping off cliffs often involves feeling incompetent and overwhelmed, but it’s part of the learning process.
• 😀 The emotional rollercoaster that comes with taking risks is normal, and learning to manage it is crucial for long-term success.
• 😀 Giving yourself time, like two weeks, to assess situations and emotions can help distinguish between temporary discomfort and real failure.
• 😀 Asking 'stupid' questions is a powerful tool for learning and personal growth, helping you gain knowledge and gain respect in any environment.
• 😀 Most so-called 'stupid' questions are not actually dumb; they open doors to deeper understanding and innovation.
• 😀 Success doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all definition—what works for one person may not work for another. Personal fulfillment is key.
• 😀 Jumping off cliffs may seem like a sideways or backward move to others, but it’s a courageous step towards discovering your true potential.

Q & A

What does the speaker mean by 'the stairs' in career development?

The 'stairs' metaphor represents the traditional, linear career progression where you start by choosing a college major, which leads to a job, and then to a series of promotions. The idea is that your self-worth is often tied to climbing these 'stairs' through titles and performance ratings, offering security but also creating a rigid, predictable path.

Why does the speaker describe the stairs as an illusion?

The stairs are described as an illusion because they create the false belief that success is only achieved by following a rigid, upward trajectory in a specific field. In reality, career growth often involves risks and non-linear paths, and excellent careers are built not by simply climbing stairs, but by embracing uncertainty and taking risks.

What does the speaker mean by 'jumping off cliffs' in the context of career development?

Jumping off cliffs refers to taking risks and stepping out of your comfort zone, often into situations where you lack experience. These risks can lead to personal and professional growth, as they push you to learn new things and develop skills you wouldn’t acquire by staying on the 'stairs'.

How did the speaker feel when they first took the risk of jumping off a cliff in their career?

Initially, the speaker felt scared and uncertain when they were offered a new, unfamiliar job. Despite advice from others to avoid the risky move, the speaker was intrigued by the possibility of testing their own capabilities in a completely new environment.

What was the outcome of the speaker's decision to jump off the cliff with the new job?

The outcome was not immediately successful. In the first nine months, the speaker struggled, felt incompetent, and even received the lowest performance rating of their career. However, after pushing through this difficult phase, the speaker gradually became more confident and capable, ultimately leading to significant career growth.

What important lesson did the speaker learn during their time on the new project?

The speaker learned that personal and professional growth often comes through overcoming challenges. They realized that taking risks, even if they initially lead to failure or discomfort, can lead to new opportunities and transformations that would not have been possible if they had stayed in their comfort zone.

What three things does the speaker suggest you need to get good at to successfully 'jump off cliffs'?

The speaker identifies three key skills needed to jump off cliffs: 1) The ability to actually take the risk and jump. 2) The resilience to survive the fall, including dealing with the emotional roller coaster that comes with being a beginner again. 3) The ability to embrace being a 'professional idiot', which involves asking questions and learning from others.

Why is it important to be comfortable with asking 'stupid questions' according to the speaker?

Asking 'stupid questions' is important because it enables you to learn faster and more deeply. People generally enjoy teaching and explaining things, and many questions that seem 'stupid' actually lead to valuable insights. It also helps you overcome the fear of looking ignorant, which can prevent you from asking crucial questions.

What does the speaker mean by the 'roller coaster' of emotions when jumping off cliffs?

The 'roller coaster' refers to the emotional highs and lows that come with stepping into unfamiliar territory. It’s common to experience moments of confidence followed by self-doubt. The speaker suggests that this emotional turbulence is normal and part of the learning process, and that it’s important to ride out the ups and downs without giving up.

How does the speaker suggest you differentiate between fear that should be avoided and fear that should encourage action?

The speaker advises distinguishing between fear based on practical concerns, such as financial instability ('I might run out of money'), which should be taken seriously, and fear driven by personal insecurity or fear of failure ('I might fail'), which should be seen as a signal to move forward and take the risk.

What is the significance of success being defined differently for different people, according to the speaker?

The speaker emphasizes that success is subjective and varies for everyone. For some, traditional markers like a high-paying job or a prestigious title may represent success, but for others, true fulfillment may come from pursuing unconventional paths. The speaker shares the story of a friend who left a successful CEO position to find more meaning by helping people in hospice care.

What is the key takeaway from the speaker’s message on career growth and risk-taking?

The key takeaway is that true career growth and self-discovery often come from taking risks, facing the unknown, and embracing the challenges of being a beginner again. Jumping off cliffs may seem intimidating, but it is through these risks that you learn about your capabilities and achieve growth in ways that staying on the 'stairs' never could.