*Discuss: Who, in your opinion, is better prepared to handle the dramatic changes most experts claim will occur in the future, Ingrid or Darla?
**Is there a better strategy?
***Expand your understanding? Interview two or more supervisors (or employees who have been working several years) to determine their views about how they have dealt with plateau periods.
***Then research the topic of career plateaus and offer several ideas for both Ingrid and Darla to “expand’ their thinking about the approaches they are taking for career success.
***Include in your list of ideas such factors as ways to keep up with change and the role of education and training.

“I hate change.”

In a company-sponsored seminar on how to handle and adjust to
change, Ingrid made this statement to the group: “When it comes to
the future and the changes it may bring, I believe that hard work and
good ethics plus sound human-relations techniques will see me
through. If my present superiors do not recognize and reward me, then
someone else will.”

The following response came from Darla, a coworker and good
friend of Ingrid’s: “I think it is commendable for Ingrid to have so
much faith in hard work and human-relations skills, but I think that
adapting to change requires a more aggressive and creative approach.
Ingrid, with her somewhat naive attitude, may be left behind. It has
been my practice to try to turn change into opportunity through
action. When a change occurs, I sit back for a day or so and figure out
how I can use the change to my advantage and enhance my career. At
such a critical juncture, I cannot rely on past performance and routine
human relations. I must shift gears and look out for number one, even
if it means temporarily stepping on the feelings of others. When
change comes, it is not business as usual. I cannot prevent or control
change, but if I am clever, I can turn it to my advantage.”