For those stuck in career, the Growth Shift offers a way forward

KUCHING, Sept 18: Feeling stuck in a career despite putting in the effort may require more than simply working harder, according to Sarawak-born author Poh Teck Lim.

Poh said mindset and hard work remain important for career growth, but individuals also need to consider whether their efforts are taking them in the right direction.

This comes amid a wider reality where factors such as privilege and personal circumstances can also shape people’s career journeys.

However, Poh said individuals should focus on what they can control by developing the right mindset, building their capabilities and taking purposeful action.

“We need to shift the mindset. Even if I do hard work, am I moving in the right direction? Even if I work hard, if I’m not sure where I’m going, no matter how much effort I put in, I’m not going in the right direction,” he said to TVS.

The observation forms part of his second book, The Growth Shift: Think Differently. Act Intentionally. Grow Consistently, which draws on more than three decades of experience in developing leaders and working professionals across 26 countries.

Poh said the book was inspired by a recurring pattern he observed among people who continued to put in more effort but struggled to achieve the results they wanted.

He said this included individuals who felt stuck in their careers, as well as high performers who struggled to sustain their performance and eventually faced burnout.

According to Poh, thought patterns and belief systems can sometimes become a “ceiling” that limits an individual’s potential.

He said his Hexcellence™ Growth System encourages individuals to rethink where they are, refocus on where they want to go, relearn how to build their capabilities and re-energise themselves to remain resilient.

Poh also stressed that Sarawak does not lack talent, but the challenge lies in developing that talent to a world-class level.

“There’s no lack of talents in Sarawak. Recently I was doing some training for one of the public-listed companies and a Kuchingite was the CEO of a billion-dollar turnover company.

“So, the talents are already there so the next question is, how are we developing the talents in order to be world-class?” he explained.

He said individuals should take greater ownership of their own growth, including developing transferable skills such as critical thinking, communication, emotional intelligence and leadership.

Poh also urged individuals to be resourceful when it comes to learning and developing their capabilities, whether through books in libraries, AI or other available resources.

He said while technology can provide valuable learning opportunities, the human touch remains important, highlighting the importance of individuals finding mentors, asking the right questions and remaining open to learning from others.

For those who feel stuck, Poh advised them to begin with self-reflection, challenge their comfort zones and remain curious.

“For those who feel stuck, just check on yourself. Where am I now? Why am I getting the result that I’m getting? And where can I go for resources or help?

“Don’t stay in your comfort zone, always challenge yourself to learn something, to grow and I think to achieve that growth, you have to continue to stay curious,” he added.

The Growth Shift is Poh’s second book, following Mindful Challenges Towards Peak Performance published in 1999.

The book is aimed at leaders, managers and working professionals navigating uncertainty, change and the demands of sustained responsibility.

It is now available in ebook and paperback formats on Amazon. – TVS