Corporate rat race- Run a marathon instead !!

Corporate Race

?I was dwelling on drawing analogy with our earlier education system and influx of captives during 90's era which led to birth of "Corporate Rat Race" in India

During early part of 1990, it was quite common to get 2 grades up/ double promotion at school if you were brilliant at academics.. Not sure how many of us can relate to it but I was not one among those fortunate ones !!?

Late 90' s also witnessed huge influx of Global Captive Center (GCC)setting up their captives in India owing to abundance of Talent availability, Cost arbitrage, Infrastructure and favorable business environment. The HR policies were still evolving in IT /ITES , Captives and they were not completely prepared to address the huge turn over across companies amidst new businesses migrating to India

The concept of promotion went through a sea change in these set ups where you witnessed employees receiving their promotion every 6 months..

?The birth of Great Corporate Race can be attributed during this period. Prior to this period , employees used to aspire to join public sectors, government sectors for stability of their job and retire from the same institution?

I have experienced climbing my ranks from an Associate to Senior Manager in straight 6 years. I have also witnessed career stagnation for years where there was no title change and had drowned myself in corporate rate race not knowing how to bail out !

At that crossroad in my career, I had a interesting conversation with my mentor who shared his perspectives on career graph

In his own words,?

1) Career span of every individual are spread across 40 years approximately and there are not enough CEO roles in a company if everyone gets promoted every year?

2) Careers are like a marathon race and not sprint.. Don't get exhausted running 100m race however fuel yourself with adequate skills required to complete your marathon?

What happens in corporate rat race?

?Unknowingly. You start living life of other person and get entangled in comparison leading to anxiety and stress?

My take in my usual style on how to swim out of corporate rat race

1) Define your career goals aligned with your purpose of life

Goals could be to meet your financial expenses, siblings education, medical expenses of your family or to be the CEO of the company. There is no harm in leading a content life without chasing titles as well?

2) Broadening of horizon during initial years of career are extremely pivotal to become a successful leader. Upskilling, Reskilling will help you to stay relevant in corporate?

For ex- Experience all facets of HR function like TA, HRBP, Employee relations, Comp n Ben, OD etc to be a successful CHRO.?

3) Never get into a comparison mode with your colleagues career graph since you haven't lived their lives..?

4) Be aspirational and work towards your career goals with all passion- Remember work is not life but to live life happily

5) YOU own your career while you continue to leverage your mentors, managers for shaping your career

Concluding, Remember to celebrate every milestone of your marathon race and live life to the fullest extent!!!