This recent piece on Women’s Agenda by writer Caroline Z had us thinking deeply about an intriguing quandary surrounding promotions in the workplace and whether we go for them – plus the ramifications or stigma if we knock one back!
“Not all employees want to climb the career ladder and take on more responsibilities or managerial roles,” says Caroline. She goes on to say: “I have slowly come to the realisation that my career is one big sideways step, flitting from feature story to essay to project without necessarily moving to a leadership role – and I couldn’t be happier”.
But how does this work, and what is it based on?
“To be a manager, you have to draw on different skills, have to be someone different at work,” points out Anya Johnson, professor in work and organisational studies at the University of Sydney Business School.
“Excellent writers, for example, do not necessarily make good editors. Same goes for teachers: delivering a lesson in an engaging and passionate manner to children or teenagers does not mean being good at managing a team of teachers.
“Not everyone wants to do that [move into management], and the idea that’s the only career path is challenging for many people,” Johnson adds.
The Dilemma
Agency Iceberg had a recent experience with this exact dilemma last week when a Talent was offered a promotion to a GM role but declined. Why?
Primarily they were happy in their current role and wouldn’t be comfortable adding any additional stress, responsibility, extra meetings, and management to their day (even for more money).
So, what does this mean for the company? Are they happy to keep this Talent on, knowing they have no interest in progressing their career within their organisation?
Can an employer send you packing if you’re not interested in moving up, or are they still blessed you want to remain in the position you excel at? For you and the business.
Burnout is a real factor here as well in terms of not wanting to take more on. You still want to smash those deadlines and manage the position you hold but are 100% not keen on smashing your soul by accepting that promotion.
Selfish in the Right Way
Also, is rejecting a promotion a selfish move or an empowering one? Many workers think selfishness is just stepping up and hopping off the fence, making the hard calls for the greater good. That doesn’t sound all that bad, does it? We all need to look after number one when it comes to the crunch.
Dashes of selfishness allow us to take control of situations and retain an aura of supreme confidence and business nous, which reflects positively on the individual, the team, and how peers and clients see us. We are loyal and stoic and want to stay where we are because it suits us both in and out of the office so why rock the boat?
This is perhaps the personification of the “dream role”.
Iceberg is Melbourne’s go-to recruitment company! Specialising exclusively in recruiting for digital, marketing, PR, digital, experiential & advertising jobs. Permanent, freelance and contract roles are available! Sign up for our weekly newsletter HERE.
