J-Curve Career Framework
J-Curve vs. Stairs Career Framework
"The much more fun careers are like jumping off cliffs and you do fall, but then you climb out way beyond where the stairs could ever get you." — Molly Graham
What It Is
Most people view careers as stairs (linear promotions). However, high-growth careers are J-Curves: you jump off a cliff (take a risk), fall/struggle for 6-9 months (the bottom of the J), and then shoot up exponentially higher than the stairs would have taken you.
When To Use
- Considering a pivot or startup role
- Offered a stretch assignment that feels terrifying
- Evaluating safe promotion vs. risky opportunity
- Feeling too comfortable in current role
The Two Paths
STAIRS MODEL J-CURVE MODEL
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