Chapter 5: Accepting the Stretch Assignment

Overview

All passages represent a test in the mythological sense of the word. In myths, the hero must reach down deep inside himself and determine if he has the inner resources necessary to slay the beast or complete the journey. The stretch assignment, perhaps more than the other passages, represents this type of test. Are you capable of moving from expert to learner as you encounter situations where you lack critical skills or where you have to shift your perspective?

As the name implies, a stretch involves moving outside your comfort zone. As in exercise, you feel the resistance when you’re pushed beyond your normal range. Though people today often lobby for stretch assignments—the international posting is a particularly desirable one for ambitious executives—they may have a different reaction when their wish becomes reality. By definition, a stretch means you’re doing something for which you lack the experience and expertise, and this can cause you to feel inadequate and angry.

There are many types of stretches, but they always involve moving to a new assignment where you lack the skill, knowledge, or attitude necessary to do the new job effectively. For instance, moving from a functional to a general manager job is always a stretch. For the first time, you must view the business holistically and break away from a singular, functional per-spective. Even the smartest, most experienced functional head isn’t fully prepared for this task, and that’s why it’s a stretch. (It’s also why a business is most vulnerable when a new GM is appointed.) It’s also a stretch when you skip a step in the logical managerial or career progression, jumping over others because of your unique skills or accomplishments.

A stretch can involve everything from a first international assignment to managing a significantly larger group of people to moving into an entirely new functional area. A stretch doesn’t necessarily take place with every promotion or new job; you may only need to acquire a bit more knowledge or acquire an easily gained skill to be successful. “No pain, no gain” is the rule of both the gym and the business world for stretches. As we’ll see, some people are better at dealing with this pain than others.