Career Clarity and Transition
Roots and Branches: Finding Energy in How You Work
Why knowing where you draw energy matters for your career
Photography ©Haberdoedas
Like a tree with deep roots and wide branches, our careers grow in different ways. Some of us are most energized when we can root deeply—diving into one area, mastering a subject, and becoming the steady foundation others rely on. Others feel most alive when branching outward—stretching into new areas, connecting ideas, and flexing across challenges.
People sometimes describe this as being “an inch wide and a mile deep” versus “a mile wide and an inch deep.” But I find the image of roots and branches more useful—it reminds us that both are essential to growth, and that the real question is: where do you get your energy?
Why This Matters for Career Fit
When our work aligns with where we naturally draw energy, we thrive. If you’re rooted by nature but pulled constantly into breadth, you may feel scattered or depleted. If you’re branching by nature but confined to a narrow channel, you may feel stifled.
Strong trees need both roots and branches—and so do we. But noticing which way of working truly fuels you can make all the difference in choosing roles and shaping your career.
Quick Self-Check
To see where you lean, ask yourself:
When have I felt most energized at work—digging deep or spanning wide?
Do I leave the day feeling fuller when I’ve been the steady root or the branching connector?
What kinds of work leave me feeling most alive and energized?
A Question for You
So, what about you? Where do you get your energy—in the roots, or in the branches? And does your work today give you the conditions to grow?
