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Abstract

ne point his organization asked him to take an executive position that would involve people management. At first he was tempted to take the position but after much thought declined the promotion. He did not want to leave his first love, research and development.Is there more of a downside than a positive benefit?A move to the top of an organization may compromise other aspects of your life. Longer hours, more travel, and increased stress may pull you away from your family or community contributions. In other cases you may be asked to bury a dying organization when your real passion is exploring new vistas with vibrant business models.Are there other possibilities for my life outside of work?Your culture tells you that promotion is desirable.But ask effective senior executives what really satisfies them in their jobs and a completely different answer emerges. I hear things like,<p id="cc6e

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">“I was able to lead my company to where it made a greater contribution”“I helped make our organization a great place to work.”“I love big challenges that draw on all my abilities”Or consider folks who break frame with the “work hard until you die or retire” life plan and<ul><li>Volunteer with an NGO in a third world country</li><li>Buy a sailing boat and go around the world</li><li>Choose a simpler life style by downsizing their lives</li><li>Have children and become a stay-home parent.</li></ul>So in your race to the top check to see if you are running in the right lane. The key is to run your own race and not the one dictated by family, culture, or the fact that people you respect want to promote you.Knowing what fits for your life is the path to realizing a calling and not just a job. And that makes all the difference.</article></body>

You May not Need That Promotion — Run Your Own Race

What’s next for your career/life?

Maybe advancement up the leadership ladder is in the cards for you.

Maybe it’s time to retire

Maybe it is not. An important question for you to ask is,

“Do I really want that promotion?”

The idea of career advancement is filled with enticements like greater responsibility, increased scope of influence, and financial gain. As you weigh up aiming for a more senior position ask yourself,

Will this job leverage my strengths and interests?

I once worked with a research scientist who was passionate about developing technologies that helped his customers succeed. At one point his organization asked him to take an executive position that would involve people management. At first he was tempted to take the position but after much thought declined the promotion. He did not want to leave his first love, research and development.

Is there more of a downside than a positive benefit?

A move to the top of an organization may compromise other aspects of your life. Longer hours, more travel, and increased stress may pull you away from your family or community contributions. In other cases you may be asked to bury a dying organization when your real passion is exploring new vistas with vibrant business models.

Are there other possibilities for my life outside of work?

Your culture tells you that promotion is desirable.

But ask effective senior executives what really satisfies them in their jobs and a completely different answer emerges. I hear things like,

“I was able to lead my company to where it made a greater contribution”

“I helped make our organization a great place to work.”

“I love big challenges that draw on all my abilities”

Or consider folks who break frame with the “work hard until you die or retire” life plan and

Volunteer with an NGO in a third world country
Buy a sailing boat and go around the world
Choose a simpler life style by downsizing their lives
Have children and become a stay-home parent.

So in your race to the top check to see if you are running in the right lane. The key is to run your own race and not the one dictated by family, culture, or the fact that people you respect want to promote you.

Knowing what fits for your life is the path to realizing a calling and not just a job. And that makes all the difference.