Are you built for a career in Big Ortho or Startup Ortho?

Sharing some thoughts to help you figure out if you are built for a Big Ortho career…. or a Startup Ortho career.

I talk with people every week who are struggling with the Big versus Startup choice. There can be a pull in both directions.

The following thoughts will help you figure out your inclination.

A Big Ortho job is likely to give you financial stability.
The probability of the next paycheck is higher.
If money is a necessity, then the choice works for you.
If salary becomes an addiction, then the choice works against you.

A Startup Ortho job will throw you into an ocean of ambiguity.
Where you will have to navigate most of the journey yourself.
If ambiguity doesn’t intimidate you, then the choice works for you.
If ambiguity weakens you, then the choice works against you.

A Big Ortho job shows you the power of process and systems.
Of planning in advance towards an outcome far out.
If you wish to aim and shoot, then the choice works for you.
If you to shoot and then check if you hit the aim, then the choice works against you.

A Startup Ortho job’s flat hierarchy gives you access to the leadership.
You witness them up-close.
If the comprehension gap between them and you isn’t wide, then the choice works for you.
If it’s wide and you fail to understand most of what they do, then the choice works against you.

A Big Ortho job shows the power of teams.
How the microcosm of your work adds up to a collective outcome.
If you love to see huge indirect outcome of your work, the choice works for you.
If you love to see micro direct outcome of your work, the choice works against you.

A Startup Ortho job tends to fail fast.
Feedback loops are short and you get to see the impact of your work quickly.
If you tend to reflect on all of your failures, the choice works for you.
If you tend to move on quickly from your failures, the choice works against you.

A Big Ortho job requires you to communicate effectively, in order to convince people to deploy resources.
If you believe persuasion is just as important as capability, the choice works for you.
If you believe your work should speak for itself, the choice works against you.

A Startup Ortho job offer a very small probability of a very big life-changing financial outcome.
If taking risks comes naturally to you, the choice may work for you.
If taking risks isn’t you, the choice may work against you.

A Big Ortho job more often than not comes with brand recognition.
You do not have to explain where you work.
If the brand adds to your credentials, the choices works for you.
If you are doing it for social validation, the choice works against you.

A Startup Ortho job nurtures you as a generalist.
You handle multiple roles at the same time, while learning about them on the job.
If you wish to build a generalist profile, the choice works for you.If you wish to specialize, the choice may not work for you.

A Big Ortho job will discuss, debate before taking decisions.
The damage of a decision gone bad is far greater.
If you love taking decisions by analysis and conversation, the choice works for you.
If you love taking decisions by your gut, the choice works against you.

A Startup Ortho job will offer you professional growth that is thrilling.
You will be given a mandate far bigger, far earlier than expected.
If you prefer given a role and then growing into it, the choice works for you.
If you prefer growing into a role, the choice works against you.

A Big Ortho job will train you adequately for your role.
It will offer tools, skills, mentoring and feedback, at every step.
If you prefer structured learning, the choice works for you.
If you prefer learning via trial and error on the job, the choice works against you.

A Startup Ortho job will come with transparent communication.
You’ll know how the company is doing, how you are doing, more often than you would wish to know.
If transparency appeals to you, the choice works for you.
If radical candor is hard to digest, the choice works against you.

Your decision about Big vs Startup career isn’t about the companies, it’s about you.

Where do you see yourself fitting in more? Where do you see yourself growing more?Learning more? Failing better?

send comments to tiger@tigerbuford.com