Climbing the Ladder
The basic premise is that for whatever complex situation we have found ourselves in, we have staked out a particular position on this ladder. It runs in order of least helpful to most helpful in ultimately resolving the issue. Beginning at the bottom, the steps begin with Denial. Along the way to the middle, the rungs include Blaming Others, Excuses (“I can’t” or “If only,” etc.), Doing Nothing and Hoping things will change. Once we arrive at Acknowledging Reality, the first rung in the higher “accepting accountability” section of the ladder, we can begin to move toward resolution. First, we must Own our part in the situation and Take a Position. Once we know and accept what our position is, we can Find/Create Solutions. Of course the final step, the top of the ladder, is to Implement the found/created solution(s).
I see in this ladder a complete mirror of my struggle with my corporate "job-job," beginning with denial, and working all the way through to finally implementing a solution. In my case, this resulted in exiting and moving toward new opportunities, but that is not the only solution and isn’t always appropriate or desirable. Solutions come in many forms, depending on many factors. This is not a linear ladder, like the stages of grief. Or at least it doesn’t have to be. I followed all of the stages, and in exact order! Generally, we can start anywhere and jump from one to another, skipping some and revisiting others before finally arriving at the top. But the one step we can't skip is the first stage of acceptance of accountability mentioned above, "acknowledging reality.”
Think about a complex situation in your life. It may be your job, or a personal relationship. Where are you on the ladder of accountability? Until we are able to acknowledge the reality, we can’t climb any higher. Once we acknowledge the reality –not the story we’ve told ourselves about what the facts mean or what we wish were the reality, but the true reality of the situation – we can begin to move upward effectively.
If you’re on the fence about your career, or a personal relationship or situation, lingering somewhere on the bottom rungs of the ladder, it may help to obtain guidance from an objective source. Once you have clarity and are able to acknowledge the reality and where you are on the ladder, you’ll be one step closer to the relief of resolution.
*Ladder of Accountability from workshop materials, Leadership Institute of Seattle, InterAct: Quality Workplace Relations, Copyright 2008 (http://www.lios.org/education/interact.cfm). This example is just a small portion of this incredible program. I highly recommend this workshop for learning or deepening both personal and professional communication skills.
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