#016: Finding Fulfillment Without the Climb

These days it seems like the narrative is often about climbing the career ladder, chasing promotions, or securing a bigger title, however there's a type of professional who stands quietly outside of this race: "the journeyman". They’ve found a role that lights them up, one that gives them purpose and joy. These are the people who, rather than craving the next step up, have discovered their dream job. Sure, they might want a pay rise (who doesn’t?), but they’re not chasing status or power. They’ve found fulfillment in doing what they love, day after day.

Be like Dave

I remember working with an engineer—let’s call him Dave—who lived and breathed this journeyman mindset. He’d been with the same company for over 20 years, out in the field, working hands-on with hardware, solving problems that would leave others scratching their heads. Dave could fix anything with a set of tools, and his depth of knowledge was unparalleled. Despite the constant offers for promotions to managerial roles, Dave always politely declined. Not because he lacked ambition, but because he already had what he wanted. His satisfaction came from solving real-world problems, from being on the ground, and working directly with his hands.

Dave wasn’t interested in a new title or managing a team. What made him happy was the mastery of his craft—being in the trenches, keeping systems running, and being the go-to person when things got tough. For him, the work wasn’t just a job; it was a calling. And while others around him wanted promotions or new positions, Dave was exactly where he wanted to be.

What I’ve learned from people like Dave is that fulfilment isn’t tied to the traditional markers of success—things like promotions, fancy job titles, or bigger offices. Instead, it’s about finding the role that gives you meaning. For some, this might mean climbing the corporate ladder, but for others, like the journey-people of the world, it’s about staying exactly where they are, doing the work they love, and doing it exceptionally well.

And here’s where these fulfilled professionals bring immense value, not just to the businesses they work in, but to the people around them—especially those who would like to be promoted. People like Dave become the experts, the mentors, and the stabilisers. They’re the ones who’ve seen it all, who can troubleshoot a problem without even thinking, and who can pass on their knowledge to the next generation of ambitious professionals. In fact, I’ve learned some of the most valuable lessons of my career from people like Dave—people who had no desire for a promotion, but who possessed a wealth of experience and wisdom that you simply can’t find in a textbook.

The Peter Principle

There’s also something to be said about avoiding the trap of the Peter Principle, a concept that suggests people tend to get promoted to their level of incompetence. In other words, as people get promoted, they often end up in roles they aren’t necessarily suited for, simply because they excelled in their previous job.

Journeymen, however, don’t fall into this trap. They’ve found where they belong and they’re smart enough to stay there. They don’t feel the need to climb for climbing’s sake, and as a result, they avoid the misstep of ending up in a role that might not align with their skills or passions. There’s wisdom in this that we can all learn from. Not every role needs to lead to the next rung on the ladder. Sometimes, the best place to be is the one that keeps you fulfilled and engaged, where you’re doing your best work.

Fulfilment as the Ultimate Goal

The longer I’ve been working, the more I’ve come to realise that fulfilment should be the ultimate goal—not the title, not the promotion, not the climb. When we find work that brings us joy and purpose, that’s when we truly thrive. And while this might look different for everyone, the principle remains the same: success should be defined by personal satisfaction, not external markers.

Journeymen like Dave challenge the idea that we should always be striving for something bigger or better. They’ve found their version of success, and it’s rooted in the their skills and the enjoyment of their day-to-day work. There’s a certain beauty in knowing exactly what you want and having the confidence to stay where you’re happiest. That’s a lesson we could all take on board.

In a professional landscape that often prioritises constant progress, we need to rethink what progress really means. For some, the pinnacle of success isn’t moving up—it’s doing meaningful work they’re passionate about, where they can make a real impact. And the more I reflect on my own career, the more I value the lessons I’ve learned from the journeymen I’ve worked with. Their deep expertise, unwavering commitment, and quiet pride in their work have made me appreciate that sometimes, fulfilment is more important than a title.

The Unsung Heroes

The journeymen of the world—whether they’re field engineers like Dave, nurses, tradespeople, or anyone who has found their “happy place” in their role—are often the unsung heroes of organisations. They bring a stability, a depth of knowledge, and a sense of pride that not only benefits the business, but also the people around them.

For those chasing the next step up the ladder, journeymen offer a wealth of insight and mentorship. They don’t need to be in management to lead by example. They do it by simply being excellent at what they do and showing others that success can come in many forms. The truth is, we need more people like Dave—people who aren’t afraid to follow their passion, stay in their lane, and perfect their craft.

The Takeaway

We often think of career growth in terms of upward mobility, but what if fulfilment is the true measure of success? For some, that means reaching a point in their career where they no longer feel the need to climb—they’ve already found what they were looking for.

If you’ve found your dream job, don’t feel pressured to change just because society expects constant progress. Lean into the joy of doing work you love, day in and day out. The real dream isn’t about the next promotion—it’s about finding contentment in your craft, wherever that may be.

After all, life isn’t always about the climb, it is about finding where you belong and doing what makes you happy.

I'm Craig Marshall, I possess a leadership background, with a successful history of fostering innovation, achieving outcomes, and overseeing complex technical projects. Proficient in building and guiding high-performing teams, navigating stakeholders, and addressing risks, I am actively seeking a role that intersects technology, strategy, and operations. I have a consistent track record that demonstrates my capacity to build awesome teams and create environments that allow those teams to deliver impactful results. I am by nature curious and deeply passionate about leveraging technology to address real-world challenges or forge new directions. If this sounds interesting then check out my LinkedIn profile and feel free to reach out via LinkedIn messaging.