Be careful when taking another rung up the ladder of Success lest it breaks.

William H Harriss. 6/29/2024.

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It is always a big decision and a big responsibility when moving up a grade or position in a firm or organization. Only you know if you are really fit and able to do the job and take the extra responsibility. Nothing in life is easy, although it sometimes appears to be when watching others doing the job that you are about to take as a step up the ladder.

When considering a promotion or moving to a new job, examine what’s in it for you. Ask yourself what this new opportunity will give you. Conversely, what will it cost you if you say yes? Consider how this prospective role aligns with or against your overall career and life goals and styles. ?How will it, or won’t it, move you closer to your dreams and desires?

Of course, many of us know that promotion can destroy your family life. That step up the ladder often means longer hours and more events to attend. In fact, the more successful you are at work, the more chance of a breakdown of home and family life. Often, you lose your wife or partner and end up married to the company. Therefore, it is important to determine what matters most.

Of course, there are dozens of dividends a new job can offer. Things include increased financial compensation, an impressive job title, a new office, a nice new top-of-the-range car, an opportunity to work with like-minded individuals, etc. Decide which attributes are most important to you. Brainstorm all the possible benefits and prioritize them. If you dare, discuss it with your family and even friends. If you are worried about the prospects, discuss that with them. You can use a list to help gauge if you should accept or decline the promotion. The more your priorities align with what the new role provides, the greater the likelihood that this role will be a great fit. But always keep in mind your family. Remember, only a fool will run forward while blindfolded; this may be one of the most important decisions of your life.

Spend time comparing. Think about how this new role nets out against what you have now. Pick key criteria to measure, such as overall satisfaction, capacity to use your strengths, life balance, ability to lead others, etc. In terms of fit, which role is better? While there may be some speculation as to what the new role will be like, use the data you have to make the best-informed decision. It’s also prudent to measure how this new opportunity stacks up against your ideal role. Use the same criteria you identified above to assign a grade, like A+, A-, etc., to the new role and your ideal role. What do the grades tell you? Pick key criteria to measure, such as overall satisfaction, capacity to use your strengths, life balance, ability to lead others, etc. In terms of fit, which role is better?

But the real decision is yours. Do you really want this new position, and are you confident you can achieve greatness in it?

Nothing can be worse than mounting a rung on the ladder and it breaks, which could mean you'll break with it.

Getting a promotion is one of the holy grails of modern careers. It’s the post-college report card. It gives employees a goal and a reason to work harder. It confers prestige and respect. It comes with more responsibility—and more money.

However, pursuing promotions has negative effects as well. In fact, there are enough downsides that you may consider not pursuing them at all.

Instead of focusing on external rewards for your work, focus on genuinely enjoying the work you already do. Figure out what you’re good at, what you like to do, and what work feels meaningful to you. If it’s not what you’re currently doing, consider whether you can pick up projects that excite you more or whether a career change is in order. Perhaps moving on to another firm even.

It is often better to move to a new firm because you will get more respect from those who do not know you, and no one will despise you for moving up the ladder as they would in your old firm.

If you love what you’re currently doing, think of ways you can do more of it or become better at it. If you are a writer, focus on becoming a better writer. If you are a consultant, perfect the delicate art of client management. If you are a data analyst, become an Excel and database whiz. Find something that seems interesting and master it.

Focus your efforts on actively enjoying your work and developing your craft, not on that shiny new job title. If you get skipped over for a promotion, you’ll still be more valuable in the marketplace and—more importantly—you’ll be actually excited about the work you do.

Pursuing a promotion can sometimes force you to work against your nature. If you’re a creative type but your company is inherently conservative, you will have to learn to keep your “crazy” ideas to yourself. Or, if you work best alone and your company is all about collaboration, you will have to dive headfirst into teamwork despite your natural inclinations.

I had a friend who never stayed with a firm for over two years. He became so good at what he did that he was continually headhunted. Each time he moved, he never stepped on the ladder; he did not want any job other than the one he loved and in which he had become a polished expert. Each time he moved, it was for a substantial salary increase. He ended up being one of the highest-paid people in his job in the world; the more he earned, the more someone else wanted to poach him.

What You Should Consider

Instead of forcing yourself into the mold of what your company wants, really think about whether this is the place for you long-term. Do you really want to change yourself to get promoted within your company? Or are there other places and companies where you could advance your career while staying true to who you are, what you believe in, what you are good at, and your working style? It might make sense to see where other people like you have been successful and consider the alternatives out there.

If you change yourself to move up the ladder, you’ll unlikely feel great about the success. But if you find a workplace where the things that make you unique are desired—and even rewarded? There’s a good chance you’ll ultimately get promoted there anyway, and you’ll be happier with your work.

Remember, giving up the pursuit of promotions doesn’t mean you won’t have a successful career. By focusing on things other than promotions, you just may have a more satisfying, interesting, and happy career.

There are many roads to success, so just try to take the one with the least potholes.