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What is a career plateau? A plateau can be defined as a period of stagnation or a well-deserved rest period prior to the undertaking of a new area. As it relates to careers, the definition needs to be expanded to suggest a flat point on the growth continuum juxtaposed on the career of an individual. In comparing a career to a set of rising stairs, a plateau would be one of the steps.
Are career plateaus always negative? Although they do provide an element of frustration on the part of the accountant, as well as for supervisors, plateaus are a time when new ideas are digested. They can be highly desirable stable periods of rest and security used to gain a sense of perspective. Following this, an effort to regroup and plan the next phase of growth takes place in the motivated individual. The person who may be peaking in his or her career is likely to remain at this level indefinitely or begin to diminish in performance.
What is the nature of a plateau? It depends on the ability of the individual, perhaps along with the advice of the person's mentor, to understand the plateau and use it in helpful ways. Some individuals feel safe and secure during plateaus. Although the employee's trainers and supervisors may become discouraged, they should try to appreciate that a period of stability may be very healthy following accomplishment....