Episode 39: Disrupt Yourself – How to Break Plateaus and Reignite Your Career

In this episode of The Workflow Podcast, Sam and Derek delve into the concept of career disruption as a tool for continuous growth. They explore the challenges and rewards of shifting roles, industries, and perspectives, sharing insights from their own career journeys.

Drawing from Whitney Johnson’s Disrupt Yourself, the hosts discuss how career growth often follows an S-curve, with moments of rapid progress followed by inevitable plateaus. They reveal how to recognize the signs of stagnation, leverage your current expertise to build trust, and create opportunities for reinvention—whether it’s a complete career pivot or incremental disruptions in your current role.

Sam highlights the benefits of a generalist approach, likening it to being the “connective tissue” within a team, while Derek underscores the value of daily micro-disruptions, like delegating tasks and automating systems, to make room for innovation. Together, they unpack the importance of curiosity, nervousness as a growth signal, and the addictiveness of finding flow in work.

Packed with actionable advice, this episode will inspire you to rethink your career trajectory, embrace change, and discover the power of starting over.

Timestamps

1. 00:55 - Career Disruption Insights: Sam shares principles for intentional career changes.
2. 02:19 - Generalist vs. Specialist: Discussing roles and synergies in organizations.
3. 06:08 - Disrupt Yourself Framework: Introducing S-curves for career growth and reinvention.
4. 13:18 - Recognizing Career Plateaus: Identifying signs of stagnation and emotional flags.

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