Hops and making it to the top…

My hops have thrived, so far, this summer. The cold weather held the plants back a bit in the beginning of June but they have grown at an amazing speed the last couple of weeks. I have two varieties, one Swedish and one Austrian and the Austrian needs a bit higher temperatures before it “takes off” but both have now reached the top of the pole, which made me reflect on the similarities between hops and what it is like to make it “to the top” as a careerist.

On the way to the top, you get support from both the organisation / company (= the pole) and other staff members (= hops’ branches) but when you are up there, you are suddenly on your own and it is a lot more difficult to stay at the top.