Growing Through Plateaus: Finding Purpose When You're Holding the Fort

Part 4 of the "Leadership in Transition" Series

"I feel like I'm just treading water. Nothing exciting is happening, nothing new is being launched, and I'm worried I'm becoming complacent."

This came from a client who had been managing his team's operations for 18 months while his organization went through budget reviews, restructuring discussions, and endless "planning for the future" meetings. He was doing good work, maintaining quality, supporting his team—but he felt stuck in a holding pattern that was dulling his professional edge.

If you're nodding along, you're not alone. Many professionals find themselves in extended periods of organizational maintenance—where the goal isn't growth or innovation, but simply keeping things stable while larger decisions get made above your pay grade.

As someone who coaches mid-career professionals through these challenging periods, I've learned that the biggest growth often happens not during exciting launches or dramatic changes, but during these seemingly quiet times when you're "just holding the fort."

Reframing the Plateau: From Stagnation to Preparation

The first mindset shift I help clients make is moving from seeing maintenance periods as career stagnation to recognizing them as preparation seasons. Some of the most valuable professional development happens when you're not actively climbing the ladder, but instead deepening your roots.

Consider this: while your organization is in a holding pattern, you have the opportunity to:

• Master foundational skills without the pressure of constant change

• Build deep relationships with team members and stakeholders

• Understand systems and processes at a level you never could during rapid growth

• Develop your coaching and mentoring abilities with team members

• Explore interests and possibilities without immediate pressure to act

The professionals who thrive during these periods don't fight the plateau—they mine it for everything it's worth.

The Unique Challenge for Marginalized Professionals

Let's acknowledge something important: if you're a woman, person of color, or member of the LGBTQIA+ community, plateau periods can feel particularly challenging. You may already feel like you have to work twice as hard to prove your worth, so periods of "maintenance" can trigger anxiety about falling behind or being overlooked.

I've worked with clients who worry that:

• Taking time to deepen skills makes them look less ambitious

• Focusing on team development instead of self-promotion will hurt their advancement

• Being content with steady progress means they're not "leaning in" enough

But here's what I've observed: the professionals who use plateau periods strategically often emerge as stronger leaders than those who are constantly chasing the next opportunity. You're not falling behind—you're building a foundation that others lack.

The HOLD Framework: Growing While Maintaining

When you're in a holding pattern, intentional growth requires a different approach than during periods of rapid change. Here's the framework I use with clients:

H - Honor the Work You're Doing

Instead of dismissing maintenance work as "just keeping things running," recognize the leadership skills you're developing:

• Systems thinking from understanding how all the pieces fit together

• Crisis prevention from anticipating and addressing problems before they escalate

• Team stability from providing consistent leadership during uncertainty

• Stakeholder management from maintaining relationships across the organization

O - Observe Patterns and Opportunities

Plateau periods give you the luxury of noticing things you miss during busy times:

• What recurring challenges could be solved with better processes?

• Which team members have untapped potential for development?

• What relationships could you strengthen or build?

• Where do you see opportunities for improvement that nobody else is noticing?

L - Learn Through Mentoring and Teaching

One of the most powerful ways to grow during maintenance periods is by developing others:

• Mentor team members who want to advance their skills

• Document processes that exist only in people's heads

• Cross-train colleagues in different areas

• Share knowledge with other departments or teams

D - Develop Your Strategic Perspective

Use this time to think bigger picture:

• What industry trends are affecting your organization?

• How could your department be positioned for future opportunities?

• What skills will be valuable in the next phase of organizational growth?

• How can you prepare yourself and your team for upcoming changes?

Finding Purpose in the Pause

The hardest part about holding-pattern periods isn't the work itself—it's maintaining a sense of purpose and momentum when it feels like nothing significant is happening. Here's how to stay engaged:

1. Become the Chief Learning Officer for Your Team

Even if formal training budgets are frozen, you can create learning opportunities:

• Start a monthly "lunch and learn" where team members share expertise

• Create cross-training partnerships between departments

• Organize book clubs focused on professional development

• Invite guest speakers from other parts of the organization

2. Document and Optimize Everything

Use this stable period to capture institutional knowledge and improve processes:

• Create standard operating procedures for complex tasks

• Map out decision-making processes

• Identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies

• Build templates and tools that will serve future growth

3. Strengthen Your Network Strategically

Plateau periods are perfect for relationship building:

• Schedule regular coffee meetings with colleagues in other departments

• Attend industry events and professional association meetings

• Connect with alumni from your school or previous organizations

• Reach out to people whose careers you admire for informational interviews

4. Develop Your Coaching Skills

Managing a team through uncertainty is excellent preparation for senior leadership:

• Practice having development conversations with team members

• Learn to give feedback that motivates rather than deflates

• Help others set goals and work toward them

• Develop your ability to see potential in people

The Art of Strategic Patience

One of the most valuable skills you can develop during plateau periods is strategic patience—the ability to make steady progress without constant external validation or dramatic breakthroughs.

This involves:

• Celebrating small wins and incremental improvements

• Finding satisfaction in doing excellent work, regardless of recognition

• Building resilience for the marathon of career development, not just the sprint

• Developing confidence that comes from mastery, not just advancement

For women and marginalized professionals especially, learning to value your own growth and contribution—even when it's not being loudly celebrated—is a crucial leadership skill.

Changing Your Relationship with Control

Many high-achievers struggle during plateau periods because they're used to driving change and creating momentum. But holding-pattern times require a different relationship with control—one that focuses on influence rather than authority, and preparation rather than immediate results.

This mindset shift involves:

• Accepting that some decisions are above your level while maximizing your influence where you can

• Focusing on what you can control (your development, your team's growth, your processes) rather than what you can't

• Trusting that doing excellent work during quiet periods positions you for opportunities when they arise

• Finding satisfaction in being the steady presence that others can rely on

Preparing for the Next Phase

Plateau periods don't last forever. Organizations eventually make decisions, budgets get approved, new initiatives launch. The question is: will you be ready?

Use this time to:

• Identify skills gaps that might limit your next opportunity

• Build relationships with people who could open doors

• Clarify your values and what you want from your next role

• Strengthen your leadership capabilities through practice with your current team

• Develop your personal brand as someone who delivers results consistently

Your Growth Through Maintenance Edge

If you're currently in a holding-pattern role, here are three reflection questions:

1. What leadership skills am I developing right now that I wouldn't have the opportunity to build during rapid growth periods?

2. How can I use this stable time to prepare for the opportunities I want when they become available?

3. What value am I creating for my team and organization that goes beyond just "keeping things running"?

Remember: some of the most important professional growth happens not when you're climbing the ladder, but when you're building the foundation that will support your future success.

Ready to Transform Plateau Time into Preparation Time?

Navigating extended periods of organizational maintenance while staying engaged and growing requires a strategic mindset and intentional approach. It's especially challenging when you're naturally ambitious and goal-oriented.

Through my practice, Hourglass Coaching, I work with mid-career professionals—particularly LGBTQIA+, minority, and women leaders—who find themselves in holding-pattern roles and want to maximize their growth during these crucial preparation periods. Together, we'll identify the leadership skills you're developing, create strategies for staying engaged and purposeful, and position you for success when opportunities arise.

I'm offering a complimentary 30-minute coaching session to readers who want to transform their plateau period into a powerful foundation for future success. This isn't a sales call—it's an opportunity to explore how your current experience is building valuable capabilities and identify ways to maximize your growth during this preparation season.

If you're ready to stop feeling stuck and start seeing this time as strategic preparation, email me directly. Let's explore how to find purpose and momentum even when you're holding the fort.

The Complete Series:

• Part 1: "Leading Without Authority: When You're Suddenly 'The One' in Charge"

• Part 2: "Feedback Without Power: Influencing Change When You're Not the Boss"

• Part 3: "Maintaining Excellence in Transition: Quality Control Without Getting Pigeonholed"

• Part 4: "Growing Through Plateaus: Finding Purpose When You're Holding the Fort"