Jumpers vs. Clingers:
Midlife Career Change Means
Understanding Your Decision Style.
by Cathy Goodwin, Ph.D.
Over the years, I have
identified two kinds of midlife career changers: Jumpers and Clingers.
Jumpers thrive on energy, enthusiasm and improbable luck. The last
three times they leaped, a net appeared. They see no reason why the
next jump should be any different.
Clingers thrive on careers that offer security, money and identity.
When they outgrow their careers, or find themselves forced out, they
feel lost. They can't remember the last time they found themselves in
this position.
Coaching jumpers and
clingers for career change
Jumpers call a coach when they are ready to find a new mountain.
Suggest a destination and they ask, "Where is it?" Often they've made
another leap before the coach realizes what is going on.
Clingers call a coach when they find themselves lost in the jungle.
They ask, "How do I know if I've made the right decision?" and, "How
can I find security?" They hold out a one-way ticket, asking, "How do I
change to a round trip?"
Jumpers have learned to accept that sinking-feeling-in-the-gut as they
leap off the mountain. Climbers are not used to feeling edgy. They
don't want a roadmap; they want a hotel reservation, preferably chosen
from a listing in the auto club book.
Career change lessons for jumpers and clingers
Both Jumpers and Clingers face a new reality. Even the bravest Jumper
can run out of luck. Choose the wrong mountain and the net never
appears. And in the twenty-first century, Clingers must create their
own security.
Jumpers must stop at the edge of the mountain, before the point of no
return. "Does this feel right?" they have to ask. "Should I look first
this time, to see if the net really exists? Or maybe instead of leaping
it's time to climb down more carefully, one ledge at a time."
Clingers also have to ask, "Does this feel right?" Like Jumpers, they
must look for safety nets. They learn to read maps and differentiate
between dangerous potholes and afternoon shadows. And when they can't
get a guaranteed hotel reservation, they learn to make a contingency
plan to avoid sleeping in the park.
Jumpers learn to walk where they used to run. Clingers learn to walk
where they used to ride.
Most people will combine the qualities of jumpers and clingers, but you
can save a lot of grief by knowing your prevailing style. Jumpers need
guides who say, "Stop! Think!" Clingers need guides who motivate them
to go. Over-motivated jumpers become daredevils; over-planned clingers
lose momentum.
Disasters and
Victories
Both jumpers and clingers face disaster. Jumpers leap
into icy water or treacherous rocks. Clingers find their once-secure
shelter has been blown over by a hurricane.
Jumpers bring energy and daring to a new venture;
clingers bring planning skills and a track record of past
accomplishment. Ultimately, both achieve success by recognizing their
own operational styles and using their own strengths to survive and
thrive in new terrain.
If you liked this
article, you'll love the
Great Career Moves Ezine -- weekly tips for the First Inning of
Your Second Career.
Click here to check out
Cathy's guide to using intuition for career and business decisions.