Weaving Threads: The Great Compression of Mid-Career

Howard Gray -

Early career is all about loose threads. But mid-career? That’s when the weaving really gets tricky…

People often talk about how challenging early career is. I get it.

I’m not sure I’d want to be starting my career right now—navigating hybrid/remote setups, bouncing between threads of optionality that can feel more like frayed ends. Sure, there’s potential, but weaving it all together into something solid is no small feat.

But here’s the thing: I wonder if mid-career professionals are actually under more threat.
Mid-career is getting squeezed under the weight of what Brian Morrissey calls The Great Compression.

Early-career professionals have hustle, energy, and curiosity—qualities that can be channeled to build strong foundations. They take those frayed ends and weave something new, creating patchworks that are uniquely theirs.

The ideal employee now is a new generalist: someone with a core specialty and flexible skills across multiple areas. That unique patchwork is hugely valuable—it’s what sets you apart.
But for mid-career professionals? Weaving gets harder. You don’t move quite as fast, some of the colors fade, and finding new threads gets tougher.

So, what do you need to succeed?

  • Early Career: This is your time to experiment, find your core specialty, and put in the reps. Think geology—time and pressure shape the foundation. A few threads, then the weaving begins. (Excuse the mixed metaphor.)
  • Mid Career: The challenge isn’t just about skills—it’s mindset. Staying adaptable, unlearning old patterns, and embracing new ways of thinking are harder but essential. It’s not easy, but it’s learnable.

No matter where you are in your career, you gotta keep weaving.

I’ve been thinking a lot about these transitions—how the threads we choose, and the way we weave them, shape not just our careers but the way we work, lead, and connect with others. At Wavetable, we’ve been exploring these shifts through our Capability Labs—focused, hands-on spaces for tackling the challenges that matter most.

How do you keep your threads strong, or find new ones when the old ones wear thin?