The Broken Rung is a concept that highlights the importance of equitable access to first-time leadership opportunities. Early leadership experiences often serve as critical stepping stones for future career growth, providing visibility, skill development, and exposure to high-impact work. Being aware of the “broken rung” encourages all of us to examine how leadership opportunities are identified, allocated, and supported at the entry point to leadership.
When organizations provide broad and equitable access to these foundational experiences, they strengthen their leadership pipeline, develop diverse talent, and create pathways for growth and advancement at every level.
What We Can Do
1. Seek Sponsors
Identify leaders who can actively advocate for your growth, provide guidance, and help connect you with opportunities that align with your career aspirations.
2. Pursue Stretch Opportunities
Volunteer for high-impact projects and assignments that expand your skills, increase your visibility, and demonstrate your readiness for greater responsibility.
3. Make Your Impact Visible
Ensure your contributions and results are communicated clearly. Highlight business outcomes, share key accomplishments, and keep stakeholders informed.
Visibility = Results + Communication
4. Advocate for Your Growth
Have open career conversations with your manager. Communicate your aspirations, demonstrate your readiness through results, and seek clarity on the experiences, skills, and milestones needed to advance.
What Leaders and Allies Can Do
1. Start with Awareness
Unconscious biases can influence how potential is recognized, opportunities are assigned, and advancement decisions are made. By being aware of these biases and using consistent, objective criteria, leaders can help ensure that talent, performance, and potential remain the primary drivers of growth opportunities.
2. Promote Career Development Transparency
Encourage regular career and development conversations. Help employees understand expectations, provide candid feedback, and identify experiences that will prepare them for future leadership opportunities.
3. Create Opportunity Equity
Look for opportunities to involve a broad range of employees in high-visibility projects, stretch assignments, and leadership experiences. Equitable access to these opportunities helps employees develop critical skills, expand their networks, and demonstrate their capabilities.
4. Broaden the View of Leadership Potential
Look beyond traditional markers of leadership and consider diverse experiences, perspectives, and leadership styles. Creating multiple pathways to leadership helps ensure that potential is recognized across the organization.
Closing Thought
Awareness of the Broken Rung reminds us that leadership journeys often begin with a single opportunity. By encouraging growth, providing sponsorship, and helping others build the experiences they need to lead, we strengthen the leadership pipeline for everyone. When more people have a fair opportunity to grow and lead, individuals, teams, and the organization are all better positioned to succeed.
Author: Shraddha Kolluru, Senior Director of Engineering, DCG, Marvell