What Shape is Your Career?

For most of us, the career advice we grew up with was pretty simple. Get a job. Work hard. Get promoted. Climb the ladder. And if you were really ambitious, keep climbing until you reached the top.

But what if you don't want to climb the ladder? Or what if you've climbed it and realised you don't actually like where it's taking you?

I've been thinking about the different ways we can build a career. I've realised there are far more options than the traditional career ladder. There are different career shapes, and once you start looking at them, you might realise that your career doesn't have to follow one fixed path.

The Ladder

The Ladder is probably the career path we're most familiar with. You specialise in an area, build your expertise, and progressively take on more responsibility. You might start in sales, become a sales manager, then a sales director, and eventually a commercial director. Or you might build your career in HR, finance, marketing, technology, or any other specialist function.

There's nothing wrong with the Ladder. For many people, developing deep expertise and progressing through an organisation is exactly what they want. But it isn't the only definition of career progression, and it certainly isn't the only way to build a successful career.

The Diamond

Then there's the Diamond. This is where you have one role, but that role allows you to use lots of different skills, strengths, and interests.

My current role is a good example. I work in digital transformation, but my day-to-day work includes strategy, speaking, consulting, thought leadership, influencing, learning, research, and working with people across an entire industry. It covers everything from regulatory compliance to digital printing. It's one role, but it doesn't feel like one thing.

You can find this kind of breadth in an open-minded large organisation, a start-up that needs you to wear many hats, or your own business. In fact, running your own business can be the ultimate Diamond. You're the strategist, marketer, salesperson, accountant, creator, and delivery person—sometimes before you've even had your morning coffee.

The defining feature isn't whether you're employed or self-employed. It's that one role or venture allows you to use lots of different parts of yourself.

The Safety Net

Then there's the Safety Net. This is where one part of your working life provides the financial security that allows you to pursue something else.

Perhaps you have a well-paid corporate job but spend your evenings making art. Maybe you work in technology while building a photography business at weekends. Or you have a stable career that pays the bills while you write, perform, volunteer, study, or work on something that gives you a different kind of fulfilment.

And I think this is an important career option that we don't talk about enough. Not everyone wants their job to be their passion. Sometimes your job is simply the thing that gives you the financial security and freedom to do the things you really care about. The two things don't have to be equal. The job provides the safety. The other thing gives you something else you need.

And that can be a perfectly valid way to build a career.

The Portfolio

A Portfolio is different again. Instead of having one main job with something else happening on the side, you deliberately combine multiple roles, projects, or income streams to create your career.

You might work three days a week for an organisation, coach one day, and consult on another. You might combine freelance or fractional work, speaking, teaching, and your own business. Or you might have several clients doing completely different things.

There isn't necessarily one "main" career. The collection of things is the career. This is the direction my own working life is moving in. I have GS1 UK, Rebel Spark, coaching, speaking, and advisory services, and I'm increasingly interested in how those different pieces can work together.

I haven't stopped having a career. I've simply stopped assuming that a career has to mean one job.

The Zigzag

And then there's the Zigzag.

Some careers aren't about steadily progressing in one direction at all. They're about building experience, learning, changing direction, and taking what you've learned somewhere new.

Mine has certainly been a bit of a Zigzag. I studied HR and started my career there. Then I moved into sales. Then commercial strategy. Then digital transformation. And now I'm combining that experience with coaching, speaking, and building my own business.

From the outside, it might look like a series of unrelated career changes. But when I look back, I can see the skills, experiences, and interests that connected the dots. A career change doesn't necessarily mean starting again from scratch. Sometimes you're simply taking what you've already built and using it somewhere different.

And then there's reality...

Because your career probably won't look like just one of these. Very few careers fit neatly into one of these categories forever.

You might start on the Ladder, move into a Diamond, use a Safety Net while you experiment with something new, turn that experiment into part of a Portfolio, and then Zigzag somewhere completely unexpected.

And when you look back over 20 years, your career doesn't look like a ladder, a diamond, or a portfolio.

It might look nothing like you expected.

And that's okay.

In fact, maybe it's more normal than we think.

If you're feeling stuck in your career, I don't think the first question always needs to be "What job do I want next?"

Try asking, "What do I want my working life to look like?"

Do you want depth? More variety? More security? More autonomy? More creativity? Multiple income streams? A completely different direction?

Or perhaps you don't know yet.

That's okay too.

You don't have to have your entire career mapped out. You can start by experimenting. Build something alongside your current job. Try something you've always been curious about. Develop a skill. Talk to people doing interesting things. Test an idea. Create more options.

Because a career change doesn't always start with leaving.

Sometimes it starts with building.

And your next career doesn't have to look like the one you've already had.

Need some help figuring out yours?

This is exactly the kind of work I do with my coaching clients.

If you're successful on paper but wondering what you actually want next, you don't necessarily need to throw everything away and start again. We can work out what's missing, explore the possibilities, and—most importantly—start testing what could come next.

You don't need to have the answer before you start.

You just need to be curious enough to explore the question.

If you're ready to stop circling around "What should I do next?" and start building more options, I'd love to help.

Exploring Your Career Options

Now, let’s dive deeper into the various career shapes. Understanding these can empower you to make informed decisions about your professional journey.

The Importance of Self-Reflection

Before making any career changes, it's crucial to reflect on your values, interests, and skills. What truly matters to you? What are you passionate about? Self-reflection can provide clarity and guide your decisions.

Networking and Learning

Engaging with others in your field can open doors. Attend workshops, seminars, or networking events. Connect with mentors who can provide insights and guidance. Learning from others can spark new ideas and opportunities.

Embracing Change

Change can be daunting, but it can also be liberating. Embrace the uncertainty that comes with exploring new paths. Each step you take can lead to unexpected opportunities and growth.

Setting Goals

Once you’ve explored your options, set clear, achievable goals. Whether it’s acquiring a new skill or transitioning to a different role, having specific goals can keep you motivated and focused.

Conclusion

In conclusion, your career journey doesn’t have to fit a traditional mold. Whether you choose the Ladder, the Diamond, the Safety Net, the Portfolio, or the Zigzag, what matters most is that you find a path that resonates with you.

Remember, it’s okay to take your time. Explore, experiment, and build the career that aligns with your true self. The journey is just as important as the destination.