The Fourth P: Progression and What Comes Next

We have now explored three of the four Ps. The people who bring out your best, the problems you are built to solve, and the purpose that gives your work meaning. The final piece is progression.

Progression answers a simple but powerful question. Where are you growing next? Whether you are out of work, in a role that no longer stretches you, or quietly sensing it is time for something more, this stage is about reclaiming forward momentum.

Many executives focus on replacing what they lost instead of intentionally building what comes next. True progression is not just a new role or promotion. It is evolution as a leader. It is about depth, stretch, and direction, not just title or compensation.

Ask yourself what new skills or experiences you want to develop. What kind of leader do you want to become next. What challenge would stretch you in the best possible way. Where do you want to be in three years, and how does your next move support that direction.

If you are unemployed, this shifts you from reaction to reinvention. If you are actively searching, it filters out roles that simply repeat the past. And if you are passively curious, it clarifies what would actually make a move worthwhile.

When the right people, problems, and purpose align with a clear sense of progression, you do not just land a role. You step into growth, impact, and long term fulfilment.

Practical tip: Write a one sentence progression statement starting with “In my next chapter, I want to grow into…” and describe the leader you are becoming over the next three years. Use this as a filter for every opportunity you consider.