Ah, very interesting tip and advice, Ryan. I do agree with you generally that if you can show those n+2 behaviors early on it's a good thing, and it worked out for you without a doubt.
I'm glad you made the callout though to make sure you still have the n+1 behaviors down, and I'd take it a step further (which I think is implied in what you're saying) that you REALLY need to make sure the "n" behaviors are down.
I've been bitten by this in the past.
The advice you shared definitely resonates a lot though, and I think if you're thinking 2 levels ahead, it usually puts you in a different mindset on how you work and the impact you strive to get on a day-to-day. Great article!
I’ve been employing the strategy of thinking n+2 levels ahead as an intern, and it’s worked really well for me :D but I feel like in the back of my head I’m unsure if I’m progressing too fast for my own good.
When I was studying music, I’ve also been bit in the past by trying to exhibit n+x behaviors but not having the n behaviors down.
Ryan and Jordan, Have you ever felt like you’ve had to take a couple steps back because you were reaching for next level behaviors or did reaching for next level behaviors always work out for you?
Also, Do you guys think there’s drawbacks to progressing this fast in your career?
Yeah, I definitely have been bit. I talk about it a bit in the guest post on Ryan's newsletter actually, where as an intern I was trying to debate with a Staff Engineer.
I was trying too hard to get a return offer at mid level that I didn't take a step back and realize I'm still an intern with a lot to learn. Definitely a hard earned lesson 😅
Thanks for reading Andrei! I was fortunate that reaching for next level behaviors worked out for me. One drawback though is that you're always out of your comfort zone. I remember that being stressful when I was first leading workstreams
Loved the visualization! This behaviour also makes your promotion a 'no-brainer'. When you are just at the level/projects needed for the promotion, it may be dragged for far longer, as it's not 100% clear to everyone if you are ready.
When it's so obvious, it makes it easier for your manager to push for it.
Agreed, your promotion will be a lot smoother if you're already doing work at the N+2 level. If your work is known at N+2, folks on the promotion committee will be surprised you weren't already promoted.
The images explain the point so clearly. Having a manager that supports this growth is great. It is always a two way street. If you do it the manager will be supportive after all you will land impact for the team.
It is great that you share your work hours openly. Even if someone does not take more projects sometimes it is necessary to invest in yourself to do well at work. That takes time and most often you need to invest your personal time outside of the 40 hour work week.
useful article, especially the concrete breakdown. would love to know more about how you learned and then brought those next level behavior changes within you
You can grow with a good work life balance. It just won't be as fast as if you did the same work but worked more. I hear you though, not for everyone; it depends on what you want
For some folks 40 hour work week is the balance for others it is finding time to accomplish their work & non-work goals. I think when I start sacrificing non-work goals is when I have no work life balance.
Also as Ryan said, people should decide what pace they want and go for it.
Ah, very interesting tip and advice, Ryan. I do agree with you generally that if you can show those n+2 behaviors early on it's a good thing, and it worked out for you without a doubt.
I'm glad you made the callout though to make sure you still have the n+1 behaviors down, and I'd take it a step further (which I think is implied in what you're saying) that you REALLY need to make sure the "n" behaviors are down.
I've been bitten by this in the past.
The advice you shared definitely resonates a lot though, and I think if you're thinking 2 levels ahead, it usually puts you in a different mindset on how you work and the impact you strive to get on a day-to-day. Great article!
I’ve been employing the strategy of thinking n+2 levels ahead as an intern, and it’s worked really well for me :D but I feel like in the back of my head I’m unsure if I’m progressing too fast for my own good.
When I was studying music, I’ve also been bit in the past by trying to exhibit n+x behaviors but not having the n behaviors down.
Ryan and Jordan, Have you ever felt like you’ve had to take a couple steps back because you were reaching for next level behaviors or did reaching for next level behaviors always work out for you?
Also, Do you guys think there’s drawbacks to progressing this fast in your career?
(btw i’ve been loving your articles 😊)
Yeah, I definitely have been bit. I talk about it a bit in the guest post on Ryan's newsletter actually, where as an intern I was trying to debate with a Staff Engineer.
https://www.developing.dev/p/engineering-career-stories-jordan
I was trying too hard to get a return offer at mid level that I didn't take a step back and realize I'm still an intern with a lot to learn. Definitely a hard earned lesson 😅
Thanks for reading Andrei! I was fortunate that reaching for next level behaviors worked out for me. One drawback though is that you're always out of your comfort zone. I remember that being stressful when I was first leading workstreams
Loved the visualization! This behaviour also makes your promotion a 'no-brainer'. When you are just at the level/projects needed for the promotion, it may be dragged for far longer, as it's not 100% clear to everyone if you are ready.
When it's so obvious, it makes it easier for your manager to push for it.
Agreed, your promotion will be a lot smoother if you're already doing work at the N+2 level. If your work is known at N+2, folks on the promotion committee will be surprised you weren't already promoted.
The images explain the point so clearly. Having a manager that supports this growth is great. It is always a two way street. If you do it the manager will be supportive after all you will land impact for the team.
It is great that you share your work hours openly. Even if someone does not take more projects sometimes it is necessary to invest in yourself to do well at work. That takes time and most often you need to invest your personal time outside of the 40 hour work week.
useful article, especially the concrete breakdown. would love to know more about how you learned and then brought those next level behavior changes within you
In other words, to go to next level you need to put in extra hours and trade of your work life balance
You can grow with a good work life balance. It just won't be as fast as if you did the same work but worked more. I hear you though, not for everyone; it depends on what you want
Work life balance is subjective.
For some folks 40 hour work week is the balance for others it is finding time to accomplish their work & non-work goals. I think when I start sacrificing non-work goals is when I have no work life balance.
Also as Ryan said, people should decide what pace they want and go for it.