In theater, someone who can sing, dance and act is considered a triple threat. They tend to enjoy better success because of that unique talent and the appeal to multiple (and much wider) audiences.
The same can be true at the workplace. Traditionally companies hire for roles and keep them in role a long time to build experience and mastery. Some (bigger) companies have career paths to move employees between businesses and roles, usually within functions. But the journey to become a Triple Threat can be less-linear and risker as it may require step backs and restarts for the purpose of learning and growth.
What can a triple threat look like at work? (You will know it when you see one)
- A brand manager who worked in advertising, agency and have managed products. (S)He will know the entire creative process from strategy to execution.
- A property developer who worked at construction, architecture and property management firms. (S)He has strong appreciation for the critical path schedule and manages risk proactively.
- A finance manager with strong analytics, business acumen and can speak the language of other functions. (S)He knows the hot topics on people’s minds and can influence decisions with insights.
The definition of a triple threat at work varies by business context. It can be any helpful combination of industries, experiences, skills or relationships, especially when (s)he can act as connector or highlight blind spots in their organizations.
Top performing triple threats can potentially earn more than their peers, because they add exceptional value to their organizations – in the form of faster or better results. How?
- In complex projects, often the individual workstreams are optimized but the touchpoints are bottlenecks. If you can understand and address the concerns of other stakeholders/functions, or even speak in their language, you can speed up decision making and drive action.
- A consultant with operating experience at multiple companies in the industry can step-in with short learning curve. Priorities and risks can be identified and managed upfront, even before the project is started. This can mean getting the job done right the first time versus rework and experimentation – on the client’s dime.
What does a triple threat look like in your world?
Throughout your career, how many “threats” will you add to your war chest?
