Have you ever tried spreading butter on soft bread, only to end up with a hole in it? Frustrating, right? That’s what happens when you try to spread without a solid foundation. This same concept applies to your career.
By Tosin Olaniyi
Let me explain. I once attended a business training where the facilitator said, ‘Scale deep before scaling across.’ At first, I thought, Okay, sounds like something for businesses. But then it hit me—this applies to everything—from landing your dream job to leveling up your career, or even working on personal growth.
So, what does “scaling deep” actually mean? Let’s break it down.
SCALE DEEP: Build a Strong Foundation
Scaling deep is all about focusing on depth before breadth. Think of it like this: build a strong foundation before you add layers. Master the basics. Nail the essentials. Get so good at what you’re doing that you can build something solid on top of it.
Here’s how it looks in different career scenarios:
As a Job Seeker
Before you start sending out resumes to every job posting you see, take a step back. Have you built the skills and experiences required for the roles you’re aiming for? Is your resume structured to grab attention? Is your LinkedIn profile highlighting your strengths?
Scaling deep here might mean honing one or two critical skills that will set you apart. For example, mastering data analysis if you’re targeting a business analyst role or perfecting your sales pitch if you’re aiming for sales.
As an Employee
If you’re currently in a job but want to grow, scaling deep means excelling in your current role. Want to move into leadership or specialize in a particular area? Start by being exceptional at what you do now. Take on challenging projects, sharpen your skills, and build credibility. That way, when the bigger opportunities come, you’re ready.
The bottom line? Depth matters more than speed when it comes to career growth.
SCALE ACROSS: Expansion Happens Naturally
The beauty of scaling deep is that it sets you up for effortless expansion. Once you’ve built expertise and credibility, new opportunities start to appear almost naturally.
For instance:
- A Customer Service Professional: After mastering skills like communication and conflict resolution, moving into roles like team lead or operations manager becomes a logical next step.
- Career Switchers: Instead of hopping from one online course to another or bouncing between industries, focus on mastering the specific tools or skills needed for the role you want. When you’ve done the deep work, the leap feels seamless.
By scaling deep first, you don’t just grow—you grow with confidence and clarity.
Why Scaling Deep Matters
Stephen Covey said it best: “The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.” When you scale deep, three powerful things happen:
- You Build Competence: You become the go-to person in your field. People notice when you’re excellent at what you do.
- You Gain Confidence: Mastery breeds confidence, and that confidence empowers you to tackle bigger challenges.
- You Achieve Clarity: You focus on what truly matters instead of chasing every trend or spreading yourself too thin.
Scaling deep isn’t about doing everything—it’s about doing the right things really, really well.
How to Apply This Principle to Your Career
Ready to apply this principle to your life? Here’s a roadmap:
- Figure Out Your Focus: Identify the one area where you need to go deeper. Is it a technical skill? A leadership trait? Or perhaps it’s your personal brand?
- Put in the Work: Commit to mastering that area. Take courses, practice, seek feedback, and consistently work to improve.
- Expand When You’re Ready: Once your foundation is rock-solid, you’ll find that stepping into new roles or responsibilities becomes much easier—and more rewarding.
Scaling deep isn’t just smart—it’s sustainable. By prioritizing depth, you set yourself up for long-term success, no matter the field.