Not Everyone Should Be Thrown 'In The Deep End'
20 seconds is all it takes... Years ago a public safety ad did the rounds which showed how quickly a toddler could drown if left unsupervised in, on or near water.
At the same time, we talk about ‘jumping in the deep end’ or ‘putting people in the deep end’, like it’s an overwhelmingly positive experience and opportunity for growth and responsibility for people.
In reality, the ‘deep end’ is only a place for growth if you already have the right skills to make the most of it, it’s only a good place to be if you have support around you to ensure that if it gets too much, you’ll be saved.
The ‘deep end’ can be a wonderful tool for learning and growth, or it can drown you.
We need to highlight the importance of long-term, well supported developmental pathways for people and communities. Meeting them where they are, and building them up from there. Not putting out generic, arbitrary ‘opportunities’ and being mad at those who don’t take them up. Not throwing the people who can’t swim at all in the deep end with those who were fortunate to already have swimming lessons.
Throwing someone in the ‘deep end’ without the proper skills and support is not an opportunity for ‘growth’. It’s an ad for pool fences.
Act accordingly.
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4 年Spot on, Josh! Great piece.
Nonprofit and Leadership Consultant. #itmatters
4 年I enjoyed this article because I have often said, "They threw him/her into the deep end." This usually is to describe how the Supervisor not the drowning employee might need the training as well.
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4 年the talent rises to the top, others exhaust themselves just keeping their head above the water and unfortunately some will drown. the drowners just weren't [insert company name] material and couldnt live up to the high performance culture.
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4 年Fantastic article Josh Jones. Throwing people "In the Deep End" with a "Sink or Swim" approach is definitely an approach that often leads to poor outcomes for the individuals concerned and for the organisation.