62. Corporate Ladder vs. Corporate Lattice: Why Messy Action Leads to Career Growth

MESSY ACTION – SECRETS OF THE CAREER GAME — EPISODE 62

What if messy action—not perfection—is the key to career success? Kendall Berg dives into the pitfalls of perfectionism, the power of iterative learning, and how embracing calculated risks can propel your career forward. Discover why setting monthly goals, presenting multiple options to leadership, and understanding different management styles can set you apart. Stop overanalyzing—take that leap and see your career soar. Perfect for ambitious professionals ready to make bold moves.

Messy Action vs. Overthinking: The Career Gamechanger

Fear of failure often keeps us stuck, choosing inaction over opportunity. Kendall Berg breaks down the difference between gathering useful information and chasing unrealistic guarantees. Stepping into the unknown—without all the answers—is how we grow. Whether switching industries or navigating uncertain opportunities, messy action can redefine your career. Stop waiting for certainty and start betting on yourself.

The Career Lattice: A Smarter Path to Leadership

Forget the corporate ladder—it’s time to embrace the career lattice. Kendall Berg explains why the best leaders didn’t follow a straight path to success but gained critical skills by moving laterally and stepping into new roles. Fear of leaving your comfort zone can hold you back, but taking calculated risks and learning through experience is the real key to growth. Whether in corporate roles or entrepreneurship, every leap builds the confidence and skills you need to thrive.

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Key Takeaways

Taking Messy Action (00:00 – 12:20)

• Career progression is not always linear, more like a lattice
• Messy action involves stepping into the unknown with reasonable measures of success
• Fear and inactivity often hold people back from taking action
• Information gathering vs. seeking confirmation of an outcome
• The importance of taking risks and having faith in one’s ability to learn
• Example of creating a career coaching program in 5 days

Overcoming Perfectionism (12:20 – 23:38)

• Perfectionism can lead to inaction and missed opportunities
• Set three main goals per month to stay focused and productive
• Break down large projects into smaller, actionable steps
• Importance of iterating quickly and learning from failures
• Example of launching different programs and learning from successes and failures

Testing Ideas and Working with Different Leadership Styles (23:38 – 31:42)

• Understand your leadership’s interaction style
• Three types of leaders: perfectionists, whiteboard collaborators, and rapid iterators
• Always bring options when presenting ideas to your boss
• Document discussions and send summary notes after meetings
• Seek feedback from peers or mind readers who understand the boss well
• Importance of rapid iteration and testing in various aspects of life

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That Career Coach

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Follow her on Instagram: @thatcareercoach_

Check out her courses on the website: https://thatcareercoach.net/

Build out the tools you need to navigate the corporate game: — Self Driven Mastermind