Adam Fishman
The Growth Skills Ladder
Inspired by Adam Fishman episode
Adam Fishman's growth competency model shows what skills matter at each stage. Same framework works for developmental milestones.
You know what PMs obsess over? Skills ladders. Every role has one. Junior to senior, level one to level five, each rung building on the last. You can't hire a Staff Engineer who hasn't been a Senior. Can't promote someone to Director who hasn't managed people.
Turns out your kid also has a skills ladder. You just keep trying to skip all the rungs.
You're over here teaching them to read chapter books when they don't know the alphabet. Expecting them to ride a bike when they can't balance on one foot. Asking them to share nicely when they're still figuring out that other people have feelings.
They're stuck on rung three and you're screaming instructions from rung seven. Then you wonder why everybody's frustrated.
The ladder exists for a reason. They need to actually stand on each level before they climb to the next one. No shortcuts. No promotions they haven't earned.
Trust the ladder. They'll get there. Just not today.
