“I lie when they ask me about my career aspirations.”

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Kelli

1.3k

I help you go from STUCK TO FULFILLED

01/27/21 at 12:41PM UTC

“I lie when they ask me about my career aspirations.”

This is what a friend of mine recently told me. She’s in a strategic role with a large organization that is very focused on internal growth.? That’s amazing, right? Well for my friend, she’s happy right where she is. She has a nice salary and can close shop and hang with her kids at 4pm. She is super driven but doesn’t want the stress or time commitment that comes with a bigger role. If anything, she would want a lateral move in a different direction. But she’s afraid to say that. ➡️ Honest communication is one of the most important things we can have at work. If you want to stay put for awhile, that’s ok. There’s nothing to be ashamed of. And if your employer can’t understand your honest reasons, maybe it’s time to find one that does. Has this happened to you?

11 Comments

Anonymous

01/27/21 at 1:26PM UTC

Most ppl seem so focused on the next level that they often forget the essential duties of their current job.

Crystal Rhineberger

2.09k

professional rofl nevermind lets just wing it

01/27/21 at 1:55PM UTC

I actually have the opposite I find a good fit and they want me to step up in position

Nancy Green

01/27/21 at 1:56PM UTC

After one performance review where I said I loved my position and wanted to continue to grow in it for a while, I was told I was not getting a pay increase because I was not ambitious. My boss was all about moving up, and my honesty seemed to make him hostile.

2 Replies

Suzanna Louisa

01/27/21 at 3:37PM UTC

I am honest to a fault; and have been told that not all people want to hear the truth. I say what everyone is thinking and at times get in trouble for it. People who have problems with honesty have the problem, not us honest people, in my opinion.

Kelli

1.3k

I help you go from STUCK TO FULFILLED

01/27/21 at 5:13PM UTC

I hate hearing this, Nancy. Had you had problems with your boss up until that point?

1 Reply

Nancy Green

01/27/21 at 6:14PM UTC

Yes. I had seen red flags. He let me know he was never to be contradicted in front of anyone, even if it was done politely. He also tried to shame male coworkers who left their laptops open by typing "I am a princess" and other such things. (As if being a princess would be the most humiliating thing for a man.) He ended up getting a double promotion, but no pay increase. I could not help but smile.

1 Reply

Kelli

1.3k

I help you go from STUCK TO FULFILLED

01/27/21 at 6:58PM UTC

Sounds like NOT the guy you want to be working for. Immature and not a leader at all...

Lily Oliver-Torres

Yale and Columbia Bschool; 15 yrs in media/tech

01/27/21 at 2:19PM UTC

I think it's so unfortunate when managers or leadership teams think that all of their hires need to be overly ambitious. If someone is good at their job and likes where they are, I see no issue (though I can't say everyone will agree with me). As someone who has managed large teams, it's very hard to keep all of your team members happy if they are all asking for promotions, raises, and more responsibility at the same time. There is a great concept of "super stars" vs. "rock stars" - rock stars being the solid and reliable contributors who are content today.

1 Reply

Kelli

1.3k

I help you go from STUCK TO FULFILLED

01/27/21 at 5:15PM UTC

Couldn't agree more with you, Lily. Both types are needed to keep the wheel rolling.

Anonymous

01/27/21 at 2:58PM UTC

I read about this in the book Lean Out. I am "ambitious" right now b/c I am underemployed. When I am at the correct level I will "lose" my ambition again. I am looking at a company with a robust technical track that deemphasizes managerial tracks.

1 Reply

Kelli

1.3k

I help you go from STUCK TO FULFILLED

01/27/21 at 5:15PM UTC

I need to read this...