Climbing the ladder of "success"

"Climbing the ladder of success" is an often used metaphor to describe someone moving up in their career.  There are three ways one can climb the ladder: 

The first method is climbing by yourself.  Theses climbers decide what skills they need and are willing to "do what it takes" to move up the rungs of the ladder.  Often these people will climb over or even "use" other people to get to that next rung.  If they have to walk over a few people, so be it.  Only the strong survive.  These types of people are often self centered and their mantra is "It is all about ME".  Their spouse, family, morals, and personal life is secondary to their primary goal, climbing the ladder and trying to reach the top.    

The second method is to "suck-up" to everyone higher on the ladder than you are.  These climbers become "yes people" willing to do any and every thing their boss tells them to do. They support their boss, even if they know their boss is lying  and dishonest.  Their mantra is still "It is all about me" but also "my boss will bring me to the top with him".

The third method people use to climb the ladder is integrity.  These people use honesty and integrity to build  trust and relationships.  People using this method are not self-serving and believe that the best way to get ahead is being honest, working hard, learning new skills, and  helping fellow co-workers with no expectation that they will receive anything for their help.  People using this method are often picked on and "made fun of" by people using methods one or two.  Method one and two people feel threatened by people with any moral values.  They see them as weak and that they will never achieve success.

The expression, "what goes around comes around" usually occurs to people who use method one or two.  When the chips are down people will not come to the aid of people who use method one or two. People do not like these types of people, especially people who use the same climbing methods.  People may not actually push these people off the cliff, but they are certainly not going to point out that a cliff is ahead.

Before you try to be "successful" it would be best for you to define what success means to you. Is it about position, money or fame? I tell people that, "if you are above average in intelligence, willing to put in the time and "do what it takes", you can reach any level of success, even that of a CEO or even the President of the United States."  The question you have to answer is, "What "price" am I willing to pay?" Are you willing to see your marriage and relationships with your kids crumble?  Are you willing to work 80 to 100 hours each week?  Are you willing to make this the number one thing in your life? Or is success really about striving to maximize your skills and letting your skills and integrity take you where they will.  You may never be a CEO but is being a CEO really worth the cost?

Life coaching helps you establish a "true north" for your life and career.  It is designed to help you map out a better way to reach your goals.

For all of you climbing the corporate ladder; make sure the ladder is leaning up against the right structure.  Too often people don't realize the consequences and costs of their climb until it has cost them much more than they ever planned to give.