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Related Experiment Videos

Crisis at the summit.

George D Parsons1, Richard T Pascale

  • 1Parsons Group, Eugene, Oregon, USA. gparsons@rio.com

Harvard Business Review
|March 14, 2007
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Success can paradoxically lead to "summit syndrome" in high achievers, causing dissatisfaction and career derailment. Recognizing this syndrome and realigning purpose and skills can prevent decline and foster growth.

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Area of Science:

  • Organizational Psychology
  • Career Development

Background:

  • Gifted performers may experience an unrecognized affliction when success leads to questioning purpose.
  • This
  • summit syndrome
  • stems from mastering challenges, leading to dissatisfaction and potential career derailment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify and describe the phenomenon of
  • summit syndrome
  • in high-achieving individuals.
  • To outline a preventive strategy for managing this syndrome and fostering continued growth.

Main Methods:

  • The study describes the three phases of summit syndrome: approach, plateauing, and descending.
  • It proposes a four-part process for intervention: understanding one's "winning formula," reconnecting with core purpose, recasting job roles, and developing leadership competencies.

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Main Results:

  • Summit syndrome manifests as a loss of bearings and inner turmoil after achieving success.
  • Without intervention, performance decline and career disruption are likely outcomes.

Conclusions:

  • Early recognition of summit syndrome is crucial for preventing career derailment.
  • A proactive approach involving self-awareness, purpose alignment, and skill development can mitigate the negative effects of success and promote sustained professional growth.