A lot of people believe that through the  simple act of putting in the time at their  chosen careers or jobs, the natural progression will be to slowly climb the career ladder, get promoted every couple of years, and see a steady increase in pay.

I think 30 years ago this was an excellent strategy. I don’t believe it works anymore. I think those days are over. Forget the ladder.

The problem is that there is someone hungrier sneaking up behind you. There is someone who wants it more than you do and is eyeing your position. There is someone RISKING more than you and is ready and willing to take it away from you. There’s a linchpin building a resume that doesn’t require two sheets of 8.5″ x 11″ inch paper. He doesn’t need it because his work, his ideas, and his reputation have already found their way to your employers.

And when push comes to shove, who do you think your employers are going to take? Sure, you’ve put in the years and the time. You followed the rules because that’s the way they told you this all works. That was the lie you believed. It would be a shame to realize this too late.

What about this new fellow?  He’s risked it all. He’s gone to the edge. He’s taken chances. While you sat around getting older and waiting, this little bugger took what you thought you were entitled to from right under your nose.

So what’s the solution?

The solution is to stop waiting and get on with it. You need to must become the linchpin.