IT'S OKAY TO PLAY BOTH ENDS AGAINST THE MIDDLE

Nothing unethical is involved in preparing a Plan B while you continue to operate effectively in the job you were hired to perform. You have the right to improve your competencies whether you eventually wind up using them where you are or in a new role. In most cases, people engaged in preparing a Plan B start doing a better job with their Plan A and everyone winds up ahead.

Most observers agree that the zigzag route will take a person to the top faster, but it has its disadvantages. First, the individual must occasionally uproot his or her family to make a geographical move. Second, the person needs more talent and energy to make it work. Third, if not careful, the individual may create resentment among fellow workers—which can, in turn, force the person to make a move more quickly.

Although the zigzag route is attractive in many respects, not everyone can make it work. The scrambler is a person with high intelligence, great energy, and a willingness to take risks. Although moving from one work environment to another is demanding, some evidence indicates that it builds better leadership. The individual has to make more adjustments and decisions. The very act of moving seems to enhance the individual's personal growth.

If you want upward mobility, your master plan should take into consideration the advantages and disadvantages of both patterns. The “Scrambler-Stabilizer Scale” (pp. 243) will assist you in this undertaking. Assume that you are highly ambitious and capable of excelling in higher leadership roles. Which pattern fits your personality and values?