Where Are We in Our Corporate Journey?
2025-12-02
In every organization, we meet people who seem to be in completely different “seasons” of their corporate lives. Some are bursting with energy, some are restless, some are quietly thriving, and a few seem to operate in complete sync with the system—almost effortlessly. If we pause and observe, these patterns aren’t random.
They reflect four natural stages in their corporate journey, each with its own emotional landscape and management needs.
Stage 1: High Energy, Low Competence
Remember your first months in the corporate world? You were enthusiastic, excited, curious… and maybe confused. You wondered:
“Why is my manager always watching what I do?”
It felt like pressure, but in reality—it was alignment, not surveillance.
Stage 2: The “Storm” Stage – Growing Competence, Dropping Energy
This often hits around the 2–3-year mark.
Competence rises… But energy? It drops. Sharply.
This is when employees start feeling: Dissonance, Negativity, Restlessness
“Is this really for me?” “Should I move on?”.
Attrition peaks here—not because people are bad, but because their inner world is confused. Managers must recognize this storm early.
Those who survive this emotional turbulence emerge transformed.
Stage 3: The Awakening – Rising Competence, Renewed Energy
Once the storm clears, something magical happens.
People begin to connect: their role with the organization, their output with impact, their skills with confidence. Energy slowly rises again.
There is a strong desire to contribute, improve, and lead.
Purpose becomes clearer.
Too much control will suffocate. Too little guidance will stall growth.
Stage 4: The Alignment Stage – Flow, Trust, Synchronicity
This is where work becomes art.
Imagine crossing your boss in the corridor.
No words exchanged— just one look, and both instantly understand what’s on each other’s mind. That is alignment. That is corporate bliss.
Employees here are self-driven, purposeful, and deeply committed.
So… where is your team today?
People Managers, every day, you meet colleagues in each of these four stages. Do you truly understand where your people are in their journey?
And more importantly—
Have you adapted your leadership style to match their stage?
Great managers don’t manage tasks. They manage human transitions.