Peaks v/s Valleys in a Corporate Set up
For those of us who have worked in corporate world, we will be familiar with the words ‘the learning curve’ , ‘High performing’, ‘High potential’ etc. Now let’s look at how Peaks v/s Valleys is applicable here.
- The learning curve – Typically used when one is new in a role or in an organization. What does it mean by a learning curve? It is the time one takes to learn the new job, for some it can be quick and for some a little slow. But this is the VALLEY – You are in a learning state, discovering and exploring – What the role is, what is expected out of you, who your customers and suppliers are, who is your team etc. And as you learn and become aware … you are moving towards the PEAK. And based on how quickly you learn and get to the peak you are judged as a ‘High performer’ and probably a ‘High Potential’.
- High performer – A high performer is someone who performs at peak always. Best of the lot, does everything expected of him/her at the highest level. But being a high performer does not mean that you will perform the same way in every setting, meaning your time in the valley will be the same or less when you take of something new – a new role for example. You may be a high performer is one area – Which means once you attain one PEAK you spend the rest of your working life on that Peak.
- High Potential – A high potential is someone who performs well and will continue to perform well in any new setup, challenge or role. So someone who the corporate organization thinks that is capable of going through different Valleys and attains different Peaks.
Reflections
- How can we bring the importance of Peaks v/s Valleys into our careers and corporate world?
- Can a High Performer become a High Potential?
- Can one conquer different Peaks and Valleys equally better?
- Once you have attained a peak your priority changes you have a new choice to make – you may want to focus on your financials or relationships or balanced life and the same process of peaks and valleys applies.
Note
You may be working on different priorities at the same time, that’s completely up to the individual, how you want to go through your transformation. As long as you have the intent to transform, make the shift, improve continuously and are EQUALLY Committed to each priority, and this works for you. It is fine. Peaks and Valleys apply in every aspect of the life – The challenge is for a lots of us this is not because of our CHOICE but it is because we are forced to make that choice or it is someone else’s choice. And in case it is our choice, it may not be a very thoughtful one as we may not have the complete awareness as to we are making the RIGHT CHOICE. Hence the role of a Coach becomes very important.
Peaks v/s Valleys in a Coaching Set up
Consider the corporate world concepts of the learning curve, high performance and high potential.
- How do you think these apply in the other aspects and facets of life?
- What is the importance of Peaks v/s Valleys?
- How can you use the Peaks v/s Valleys in a Coaching environment?
In a coaching set up
The clients usually hire a coach when they feel a need to improve, change, transform and making a shift. This could be in any areas of their life’s – from career, relationships, financials, health and well being, etc. The key question here is – When does one feel for a need to shift or change? It’s usually when things seem to be not going too well, one feels that they are not at their full potential – In other words : when one is in a valley.
Key next question is
Is it bad to be in a valley? The simple answer to the unaware is a resounding ‘YES’. Why? Because I am better than this, I am supposed to be on the peaks, I have been on the peaks always, I have been the best in the class, team, family, friends and now I am not doing well or (I am in the valley)… Something is wrong – I am not getting what I deserve, I am underutilized, people don’t value me or like me anymore.
Now if the same question is asked of a Coach
Is it bad to be in a Valley? The answer will be a No or should be a No. Why? Because the Valleys are the learning, exploring, developing grounds.