The Stages of Vertical Development

The evolution of how we think and make meaning

Read my full series on Vertical Development here: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

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Vertical Development is the way our meaning-making changes over time, allowing us to see more, do more, and become more.

This development happens through a progressive series of Mindset Stages¹. These Mindset Stages evolve what we value, how we see ourselves, how we interpret the world, and how much complexity we can handle.

Think of yourself as a territory on a map, starting out in the center, then crossing boundaries into new terrain. As you evolve through each Mindset Stage, you get to explore more of yourself and access capacities that have previously been hidden within you.

Keep reading for an overview of all the Mindset Stages, first at high level, then in more detail.

Adapted from the work of Robert Kegan, Jennifer Garvey-Berger, Bill Torbert, Susanne Cook-Greuter, Nick Petrie, and Jan Rybeck

Emerges at Birth

Open to mystery and magic

GIFTS: Deeply connected to Life Source; Unity with other beings; Inherent sense of wholeness; Open to mystery and magic

LIMITATIONS: Unaware of individuality; Rational thinking is out of scope

For Example: A wide-eyed babe, completely dependent on mama and taking in the wonder of it all.

Usually emerges in Toddlerhood

Asserts self to get needs and wants fulfilled

Gifts: Aware of individuality and own needs; Acts on survival instinct to protect self

Limitations: Feels less whole and connected; Focused on threats; Can be selfish

For Example: That wide-eyed babe is now a red-faced tike screaming, “NO!” and “MINE!”

Usually emerges in Childhood

Seeks to fit in and belong

Gifts: Values group cooperation and belonging, complies with behavioral expectations

Limitations: Out of touch with own unique point of view; Follows rather than leads

For Example: Your school-aged niece wears horrendous “mom jeans” because apparently those are cool now?!?

May emerge in Teens or Adulthood

Follows the playbook, but makes a unique contribution

Gifts: Pursues individual mastery to contribute to goals of a group important to them; Committed to doing things the “right way” according to some authority or best practice

Limitations: Tends to see things in black and white; Unlikely to innovate or rewrite the rules

For Example: An early-career hire or seasoned team player who is eager to learn and get it right.

May emerge in Adulthood

Creates their own goals to pursue success within their context

Gifts: Creates, pursues, and executes own goals; Can rally others to achieve results

Limitations: Focus on success and individual achievement may prevent them from challenging status quo and connecting to deeper purpose; Risk of over-work

For Example: A leader or strong individual contributor intent on knocking it out of the park.

May emerge in Adulthood

Seeks meaning and fulfillment, questions identity and status quo

Gifts: Redefines success to pursue meaning and fulfillment over achievement; Questions the status quo; Can deal with abstractions and seemingly opposing viewpoints

Limitations: Can be overly absorbed by questions and less focused on action; May feel “lost” sometimes

For Example: A previously energetic high performer wonders if they’re burning out or having a mid-life crisis.

Rare; may emerge in mid-to-late Adulthood

Transforms systems to serve the greater good

Gifts: Significant release of ego and self-absorption; Serves the bigger picture; Navigates complexity; Transforms complex systems

Limitations: Can seem high-minded and out-of-touch to others – must tailor communication to help others act on their vision; Risk of arrogance

For Example: A wise leader who inspires others connect to the deeper “why”, and who seems unrattled by the usual corporate dramas.

Extremely rare; may emerge in mid-to-late Adulthood

Aware that “reality is an illusion”, lives in a state of flow

Gifts: Deeply connected to all life; Fully surrendered to “being” instead of “doing”; Serves the diverse whole of humanity in an “elder” role

Limitations: Difficult to relate to and understand; Loneliness resulting from having few peers

For Example: Ghandi, Jesus, Buddha…. Probably not you. ;)

Sources: The Mindset Stage language above was adapted from the work of Robert Kegan, Jennifer Garvey-Berger, Bill Torbert, Susanne Cook-Greuter, Nick Petrie, and Jan Rybeck. For a comprehensive list of resources, see here.

1. Jan Rybeck and Nick Petrie coined the term “Mindset Stages”