When I try to think about why my career has stagnated, the only expression that come-up with is dated but accurate: I don't drink the Kool Aid.

7 Comments

1. Kristie WhiteJune 2,2022 at 12:07AM UTC

   Speaking as an analytical realist, don't sell yourself short. It is possible you are going after the wrong jobs. For example, I know that as an analytical thinker I am not good at chitchat and I am often a square peg trying to fit in a round hole. You may feel the same way. I would suggest you look for that role that needs that mind of yours. And it might be a job where you feel it is above you - like consultant, research, business process, business analyst, project manager, etc. These jobs require a lot of critical thinking and when you find your tribe - you'll know. They will "get" you. :)

2. AnonymousJune 2,2022 at 12:22AM UTC

   Yes, consult. You need to work for yourself either as a consultant or short term project contractor.

   Clearly you are able to quickly and precisely identify areas for improvement and can effectively analyze a situation and dive in to get things done. Why on earth are you trying to twist yourself into an employee role that can never fit you?

   Companies pay top dollar for consultants who can quickly read a situation, project or initiative and devise a strategy to get it back on track and completed on time.you need clarity, focus and mad skills. This combo is that common. It sounds like you have these traits in spades.

   I would suggest you develop your entrepreneur business skills and create a consulting business. Stop wasting your time trying to find a company that will offer you some role beneath you only to show you the door? Not everyone should be an employee.

3. AnonymousJune 2,2022 at 7:50AM UTC

   Sounds like you are not at all a match for the low level jobs you've accepted up to now. You might want to into a different line of work. Perhaps an office setting is not at all what you are suited for.

   Perhaps manufacturing or even overseeing construction?

4. AnonymousJune 3,2022 at 8:28PM UTC

   I’m very much like you, and it hasn’t been good for me, either.

   Here are some insights from the business world and some suggestions.

   Be aware of the stigma of “speaking while female.” Modern management research shows that women who speak up as you and I do are generally disliked and perceived —both by men and women — as less competent. I recognize that this is wildly unfair, but there it is.

   Ways to channel an analytic tendency follow. As you’ll see, these suggestions focus on building rapport with your teammates before introducing ideas for change, listening a lot and introducing your ideas gradually, in a limited way. While you analyze effortlessly and appreciate change, many people are frightened of change and see analysis as criticism. It’s necessary to account for these tendencies before introducing new ideas.

   Suggestions:

   -Make it your mission, especially during your first year in a role, to make your primary task learning the ropes and earning the trust and goodwill of your colleagues. Hold off on the impulse to change processes or to correct problems unless you are explicitly directed to do so.

   -If you do notice an urgent problem, do *not* discuss it in a group. Instead, meet with the appropriate manager and describe what you are seeing, without providing a fix. Instead, ask if the manager has noticed the problem and what the manager thinks the cause is. If the manager is receptive to discussing the issue, ask if the manager could suggest a fix. If yes, try the manager’s suggestion. If not, ask if the manager would be open to having you observe the situation and suggesting changes. The point here is that you let the manager maintain control and let the manager set the pace for any changes.

   -If you are in a group and suggestions to a problem are requested, don’t be the first person to jump in. Wait until a few other colleagues have spoken and concentrate on the positive aspects of their ideas.
   When it’s time to make a suggestion of your own (after having let your colleagues have a crack at it), frame it as an observation and a question. Observation: factual; what I’ve observed is… Question: Does anyone think it might be helpful to (insert your suggestion)? The point is to gauge reaction to your idea and try to develop buy-in. Understood that this format isn’t as proactive and forceful as you normally are, but that’s the point. You’ll be engaging your colleagues and gently introducing a new idea, not forcing something on them.

   -Listen to your colleagues’ responses to your idea. If they are hesitant or critical, meet with them privately to learn more about their thinking and get their suggestions. It might be that your idea is inappropriate or could be done in a better way. Would they be willing to work with you to correct the problem, or listen to refinements?

   -Be cognizant of your managers’ and colleagues’ speaking styles and try to mirror these. This creates rapport. In general, it’s good for a new hire to listen more than speak during the first weeks and months at a new job. Get to know your new colleagues, build trust and learn to speak in their language.

   -Stay in your lane (or, as a former colleague put it, don’t go into someone else’s playpen and play with their toys.) Even if your views on company reforms are the best in world, don’t criticize someone else’s performance or work methods without being invited to. And if you are invited to, let more experienced colleagues take the lead until you’ve established rapport and developed credibility in your own area of operation.

   -Remember that your colleagues might consider new ideas, even and perhaps especially great ones, as disruptive or threatening. If you are not a senior team member, present your ideas gradually and don’t expect to be listened to immediately. Start small and, if there is interest, propose a small, inexpensive pilot project to test your idea.

5. AnonymousJune 3,2022 at 11:18PM UTC

   I see that others are suggesting a role change into a career that is more analytic.
   I support that concept in general, but want to mention a few additional steps:

   -Find out about the entry requirements for analytic jobs. Research can be comparatively easy to enter, but consulting sometimes has more barriers.
   -Don’t set yourself up as a solo consultant unless you have specific expertise to share. Better to get an entry level job in an established firm. In addition, it might behoove you to get a PMP (Project Management Professional) certification.

6. Cyndi RosenblattJune 5,2022 at 1:25PM UTC

   Consider looking at science/research-related roles or research administration. I agree that you need to find a field that's a better fit for your aptitudes, and universities desperately need people right now who know how to think outside the box. You'll still need to spend some time learning the field, but your analytical skills will be useful instead of a hindrance.

7. AnonymousJune 6,2022 at 1:32PM UTC

   ORIGINAL POSTER: Thank you everyone for your insights. I would love to enter consulting but do not have the financial security or a specific enough area of expertise/years of experience needed. I am trying really hard to be optimistic, but every day is a struggle.