The Sunday Mail
HAVE you ever wondered why temperature drops the higher you go up, yet you will be going towards the sun?
Changing Perspectives
Rutendo Gwatidzo
As a child, I would imagine that people travelling in aeroplanes would feel extremely hot because they will be closer to the sun.
Because of that, I developed a dislike for air travel, especially in summer.
I imagined that since I felt hot on the ground, then plane passengers would be sweltering.
But things are not what they seem!
Being at the top sounds easy, but it can make you lose weight.
Losing weight means different things to different people, and it comes in different forms.
For some, it may mean more studying in order to catch up with new levels of literacy expected.
For others, it may mean more dedication and commitment.
Also, for others, it can be letting go of certain habits or relationships to give room to new ones that will match the new level.
While the bottom seems warm and comfortable, one fact remains: it is always overcrowded.
There are many challenges that come with overcrowding.
These include unhealthy competition, fighting for space and survival, spreading of diseases and lack of resources to tackle challenges.
Organisational challenge
The challenge in many organisations is that of having teams that fight with everything they have to be at the top.
But once they get there, they do not want to adjust to the new atmosphere.
Working in the human resources industry, I have seen teams that work hard for promotions.
But, sadly, when they are promoted, their work ethic diminishes.
What they fail to realise is that new levels come with new demands.
You may not need to personally follow up on 20 clients per day like you used to do but you will be required to delegate that same task to someone else.
This simply means you still do what got you promoted, albeit, in a different way.
The sad part is that upon promotion, many managers forget they are still required to maintain and grow.
How to survive the top
One of the secrets to survival at the top is the ability to understand your environment.
Understand that not everyone is going to support you or advance your cause.
Inasmuch as you needed the heat on the surface to take off, it eventually becomes a burden for growth.
Heat means different things to different people.
What probably pushed you to where you are may not be the same thing that will keep you there or advance you further.
Learn new and relevant skills
Continuous learning is also another important secret to sustaining growth.
Adjusting is not easy, but once you experience the benefits of that, you will push yourself to adjust further.
Competition may still be massive, but realise that even whales and sharks cannot fill up an ocean.
Create room for others
Many people make the mistake of wanting to shut the door on others once they are on top.
They tend to want to be the only ones at the top. They fail to realise that storms are more violent at the top than at the bottom.
There is need for support systems.
As you leave your current position, let others come in.
Even if they do better than you, it is okay because they will still advance your cause indirectly.
General facts
The top may sound scary but it is beautiful.
Just imagine the view that you experience when you are at the mountaintop compared to when you are at the bottom.
Be challenged, encouraged and inspired to be at the top.
However, be reminded that the higher you go, the cooler it becomes.
Do not relax, because it is easy to fall from the top.
Therefore, equip yourself accordingly and make an impact through helping others to reach the top.
The top can be very lonely; you need others to enjoy the views.
Rutendo Gwatidzo is managing consultant at The HUB HR Consultancy. She is a multi-award-winning leader, consultant, speaker and coach. She is also the author of “Born to Fight” and “Breaking the Silence”. Contacts: +263 714 575 805; [email protected]; Facebook: Rutendo Gwatidzo_Official.
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