The Art of Getting Stuck

Six Surefire Strategies for GM Professionals to Totally Stall their Careers and not Getting Ahead. Ever!

This article is for

all the Global Mobility (GM) professionals out there who are weary of the relentless push for career advancement and are yearning for some good old-fashioned stagnation. If you’re exhausted from the constant hustle of seeking promotions, raises, and professional growth, this guide is your ticket to a blissfully uneventful career. Whether you’re an experienced GM professional who’s had enough of climbing the corporate ladder or a newcomer who prefers to stay in the comfort zone, the six strategies in this article will help you avoid any pesky advancements that might come your way. This is the ultimate playbook for maintaining the status quo, ensuring that you remain firmly planted in your current role – or may even have much more time for your hobbies as they even may cost your job. Why bother with the stress of professional development and networking when you can sit back, relax, and master the art of staying stuck?

Disclaimer: If you don't get or like the sarcasm, you may not want to continue reading…

?

Why Getting Stuck in your GM Career is a Great Thing

Let’s be honest: why would anyone want to advance in their career, chase promotions, or seek out new opportunities anyway? Staying stuck has its own set of delightful benefits. Who needs job satisfaction and purpose? Let’s face it, finding satisfaction and purpose in your work is highly overrated. Who needs the warm, fuzzy feeling of knowing you're making a difference when you can comfortably perform the same mundane tasks day in and day out?

Then there's the hassle of learning new skills. We all know it: learning new skills requires effort and dedication – just like staying up-to-date does. New immigration regulations? The latest changes in taxation? Or, god forbid, working on your leadership skills? Why bother?! By staying stuck, you can avoid the hassle of attending training sessions, studying for certifications, or keeping up with industry trends. Who wants to stay relevant when you can remain blissfully ignorant?

Then there is another totally overrated aspect: financial stability! Should have brought this one up in the overrated/underrated game when I was on the LOVE + RELO show with Ben Cross, SCRP recently … More money, more problems, right? Promotions and raises bring the burden of increased financial responsibility. By staying at the same pay grade, you can avoid the complications of managing a higher income and keep your financial situation wonderfully simple.

Enjoying a stress-free life is another perk. Climbing the corporate ladder often comes with increased responsibilities and higher expectations. By staying stuck, you can avoid the stress of taking on challenging projects or leading teams. Keep your workload light and your stress levels low. Maintaining a comfortable routine is key. Embrace the predictability of your current role. Change can be scary and uncomfortable. By avoiding career advancement, you can maintain a comfortable routine and avoid the uncertainty that comes with new positions and responsibilities.

Lastly, you can avoid the spotlight. Advancing in your career often means more visibility and scrutiny. By staying stuck, you can fly under the radar and avoid the pressure of being in the spotlight. Enjoy the peace and quiet of being unnoticed.

?

Six Foolproof Strategies to Get Stuck in Your GM Career

Now that we’ve established why getting stuck is actually a fantastic career strategy, let’s unveil the secrets everyone is after. We are proud to give these away for free, ensuring you have all the tools you need to stay right where you are. Don’t believe all the trainers and educators like the guys at MasteringGM or Leada AG - they do everything in their power to prevent you from being stuck, so stay away!

So, without further ado, here are the six foolproof strategies to ensure you get (or stay) stuck in your GM career. Battle-proven and failsafe, guaranteed! In fact, we believe in them so much that we can really guarantee they work. So here’s our value promise: if you follow all these strategies and get ahead in your career anyway I invite you for an absolutely free one-day workshop with Michael Dickmann and myself and we coach you to not accidentally get promoted again next time.

These gems of wisdom will help you master the art of stagnation, maintaining a blissfully uneventful professional life. By following these strategies, you can expertly avoid the pitfalls of career advancement and the accompanying stresses of growth and change. I know I wrote without further ado before and kept on writing other stuff. Did you notice that? If not then great, you already mastered the first lesson: don’t pay attention. Just continue to look smart and ignore what’s going on around you. Anyway, now really, without further ado, here we go. Embrace these strategies and you’ll remain comfortably entrenched in your current role, free from the burdens of professional progress.

1.???? Avoid Learning New Skills

Who needs to keep up with industry trends or learn new tools when you can comfortably rely on the skills you’ve always had? Embrace the joy of doing things the old-fashioned way. Continuous learning is overrated, and by avoiding new skills, you ensure that you remain perfectly suited for your current role and nothing more. Staying stagnant in your skill set guarantees you won’t be considered for roles that require innovation or adaptation.

2.???? Ignore Networking Opportunities

Networking events, webinars, industry conferences, and LinkedIn connections are for people who want to get ahead. If you prefer to stay where you are, it’s best to avoid these altogether. I wonder why you are even here! Skip the social events, ignore connection requests, and keep to yourself. The less people know about you, the less likely you are to be bothered with new opportunities. By staying off the radar, you ensure that your career remains as stagnant as possible, free from the disruptions of new prospects or collaborations.

3.???? Resist Technological Advancements

Are you sick of all the talk around AI right now? Do you want to leave the room, every time someone data-based analytics and forecasts? I hear you! Technology is always changing, and keeping up can be exhausting. Stick to your trusty old spreadsheets and outdated software. And don’t forget: nothing beats a good old hard copy! Why adopt new tech tools that could streamline your work when you can keep it just as complicated and time-consuming as always? By resisting technological advancements, you maintain the comforting complexity of your processes. Plus, avoiding new technology ensures you never have to face the learning curve associated with new systems, keeping your workday comfortably predictable.

4.???? Stick Rigidly to the Rules

Adaptability and innovation are often praised, but sticking rigidly to the rules ensures you never deviate from the established path. I know, the MasteringGM? WAVE Framework tells you otherwise – but what do these guys know anyway?! Follow every policy and procedure to the letter, no matter how outdated they may be. By doing so, you avoid the risks associated with creative problem-solving and ensure a steady, unremarkable career. This steadfast adherence to the status quo prevents any unnecessary recognition or advancement that might come from demonstrating initiative.

5.???? Avoid Feedback at All Costs

Feedback can be uncomfortable and might suggest areas for improvement. Who needs that? Shun performance reviews, dismiss constructive criticism, and avoid seeking input from colleagues and stakeholders. Your way is the best way, and any suggestions for improvement are just distractions from your perfect routine. By ignoring feedback, you can maintain a blissfully unchallenged existence, free from the pressures of self-improvement or adaptation.

6.???? Stay Silent in Meetings

Meetings are a great opportunity to blend into the background. If online even better. Make it a fun exercise to literally blend into the background by choosing attire that merges with your virtual background and see how this changes when you move your upper body! It’s a fun way to stay engaged in a boring Zoom conversation without actually being engaged with the stuff going on in the meeting. Why contribute to discussions or voice your opinions when you can stay quiet and let others take the spotlight? This strategy ensures you remain invisible to senior management and miss out on opportunities to demonstrate your expertise and leadership potential. Silence in meetings guarantees that you won't stand out or be considered for any advancements, keeping your career trajectory as flat as possible.

By following these six strategies, you can master the art of staying stuck in your GM career. Embrace these tips wholeheartedly, and you’ll ensure a steady, predictable professional life, free from the pressures and complications of career advancement.

?

Conclusion

Okay, I admit it, when I wrote this article I was being a bit cheeky. Not because I don’t believe the strategies don’t work. In fact, I am 100% sure they do. The reason I was cheeky is because I do observe them here and there and much more often than I wish. Maybe not in its purest form and probably not intentionally. However, they are to some extent in some companies, sad reality. And you know, sometimes I am guilty as charged, so I certainly don’t want to wag a finger. Sometimes I find myself being behind with new skills I want to acquire or too quickly and easily ignoring feedback I get. Is that the end of the world? No, of course not. However, I think it is important to be conscious about it and actively address this inner laziness we all most of us have.

So, if you found yourself recognizing any of these patterns in your own behavior, now is the perfect time to reflect and take action. What are you doing to actively prevent getting stuck in your career? Are you continuously learning and expanding your skillset? Investing in your education and staying updated with industry trends can keep you relevant and competitive. Are you building and nurturing a professional network? Networking can open doors to new opportunities, provide support, and offer insights that you might not find on your own.

By challenging yourself to break free from these limiting behaviors, you can unlock new possibilities and achieve greater satisfaction and success in your Global Mobility career. Don’t let comfort and complacency hold you back - embrace growth, change, and the opportunities that come with actively managing your career trajectory. Reflect on your current practices and make a conscious effort to adopt positive behaviors that promote growth and advancement.

And if you do want to check out what MasteringGM? has to offer, then why not check out the totally free community where you can also access the WAVE Framework research report? You will get a lot of insights on how to achieve growth and advancement in your career and how to benefit your organization: https://learning.mastering-gm.com/products/communities/mastering-gm        

Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. Let’s inspire each other to keep moving forward and thriving in our professional journeys. By supporting and motivating each other, we can build a community of dynamic, forward-thinking GM professionals who are ready to take on the challenges and opportunities of the future.