After being in leadership roles for the last 10 years, I’m ready to move closer to the work and away from the strategy.

36 Comments

1. AnonymousMarch 2,2023 at 7:23PM UTC

   Totally understand this one! I would frame it as I'm looking to be a maker again. I'm not interested in the responsibilty of leading others and I realize I may make significantly less because I no longer want that responsibility anymore.

2. Melinda KingMarch 3,2023 at 7:16PM UTC

   Thank you, I love the maker again narrative.

3. Jennifer WeaverMarch 2,2023 at 8:05PM UTC

   I just had to explain myself in a similar situation. I can't say how it will work out, but I focused on my efficiency, reduced training costs, and my ability to get onboarded quickly. If you put everything in terms of resources the company values, i.e. time and money, then they really can't say anything back about that. Good Luck!

4. Melinda KingMarch 3,2023 at 7:16PM UTC

   Thanks so much. So helpful and good luck as well.

5. Christi Hudgins; SHRM-CPMarch 2,2023 at 8:11PM UTC

   Let them know that you are interested in a work life integration...

6. Melinda KingMarch 3,2023 at 7:15PM UTC

   Thank you.

7. Kimberley Ferretti HammettMarch 2,2023 at 8:57PM UTC

   As a leadership Trainer & Coach the first thing I tell leaders is that Leadership is 80% People & Strategy skills and only 20% of the talents that likely got leaders their promotion. Kindof a messed up system.. We take our best performers in one role and give them a totally new role that may not be aligned with their natural talents.

   I would include in your conversations that you've been flexing other strengths for the past 10 years but would like to return to a role where you are utilizing your natural talents and can feel more engaged and excited about the work. People who work in their natural talents are happier, more efficient and more effective (just look up Gallup research!). You can add to that some of the points below that your experience as a leader will only make you a more helpful employee as you can speak the leaders language and anticipate their pain-points easier. I can't guarantee every employer will understand this as they should but at least you will be setting the correct expectation and articulating yourself. This could also be where networking will best suit you. Systems may filter out "overqualified" but someone who's had a conversation with you can put you front of the line or you may even find someone who doesn't have a budgeted position but is ready to snap up the opportunity to use your talents.

   (If the mention of networking makes you shiver, don't worry! You don't have to go about it the traditional way, Introverts spread their roots deep vs. wide. Strategist network in places not intended for networking like classes. Feel free to get creative!)

   Best of luck! Good for you for recognizing what is right for you and going for it even if not the traditional path.

8. AnonymousMarch 2,2023 at 9:11PM UTC

   Great advice!

9. Melinda KingMarch 3,2023 at 7:12PM UTC

   Great Advice

10. Bonnie CoventryMarch 2,2023 at 9:51PM UTC

    Change the narrator pov. I hesitate to suspect that they are suspicious, but wanting to set you up for success. In your intro of being interviewed include in that elevator chat "I'm looking to be a part of a team, not to lead a team or dept". Something like that in your intro. "One of my goals is to be a part of the process itself and not to watch from the sidelines." Then attach your experience to the tasks and processes that are listed on the job description. I think you're spot on with working on how to tell your story. Most recruiters want to make sure it's a fit for both the company and for YOU! Worried that you will be bored, or would need to be taken too far back in your wage ask is a concern as I don't believe any company is looking to undercut in wages. I believe in that positivity. We often don't understand the business whys but I believe that. In your story, be prepared to share I'm looking for a role like this one with a range of $ to $. Be realistic with that ask. Depending upon role of the single contributor it can go back farther than you may realize. Be prepared. Good luck!

11. AnonymousMarch 4,2023 at 2:15PM UTC

    Your suggestions are spot on and I’ve had this exact convo with many of the employers - but they still don’t believe that I would be happy in a lesser role which isn’t fair to the candidates that want to step back a little and build their way back up

12. AnonymousMarch 4,2023 at 2:13PM UTC

    I find this exact thing! Besides my age they are all staying im over qualified even though I explain in detail that I want and can do more contributory roles which is what I’ve always enjoyed. Management is just not for me anymore. It’s like hitting the reverse glass ceiling.

13. Kelly HammerMarch 4,2023 at 6:30PM UTC

    This is an interesting conundrum. I have turned down leadership roles in the past because I see the people in those roles struggle to do anything relating to the job due to every waking minute of their day being spent in meeting after meeting. I have worked for people who had no idea of issues and the nuances of the team because they were completely unable to interact with them and see the processes in action. I don't blame you at all for wanting to step back.

14. AnonymousMarch 4,2023 at 8:04PM UTC

    I think you need to craft a script. "I've stepped away from leadership because I missed the day to day of XXX" or " In my last leadership role I realized I was much better suited for XXX and choose in my next role to work under a strong leader who will have more XXX" Plan it before you say it, each interview will be different. Deflect the conversation from $$ to more about content, personality and work style. If you are asked about salary (which is illegal in most states) let them know you're okay with whatever their budget is for their role. Let them know your decision will be made on the job content, the company culture and mission and money is not your deciding factor at all.

15. AnonymousMarch 5,2023 at 1:27PM UTC

    I see a lot commenters giving you advice without knowing what is your current role and what role you're looking to transition to. Even with any of the strategies listed below it's going to be a hard sell to go from, for example, an SVP to something like a data analyst. In that situation consulting or doing contract work would be your best bet otherwise you might have to slowly take steps back. So go from an SVP, then to a VP, Director, Sr. Manager, Manager and so on and so forth.

    If you are a Sr. Manager and you want to go to a data analyst you can use the same strategy that I list above BUT you should really sit down and determine what you want to do and what you don't want to do in your next role. If you're trying to get away from managing others there are still IC leadership roles at companies. If you want to do hands on keyboard work there are working Manager roles at companies as well.

    I'm saying this because people are so title focused and a title can have totally different responsibilities at another organization. So you might be able to transition to a leadership title but get to do exactly what you want.

16. Alka ChopraMarch 5,2023 at 1:36PM UTC

    You could also focus on accomplishments that you contributed as a hands on person in your job if you did hands on at all

17. AnonymousMarch 5,2023 at 2:16PM UTC

    I’m just curious, why do you want to be closer to the work? Why would you want to lose, power, authority and purview? The OP doesn’t mention the “why” part of the scenario.

18. AnonymousMarch 5,2023 at 2:46PM UTC

    Power, really? ?

19. AnonymousMarch 6,2023 at 3:13PM UTC

    Yes, power and influence are critical to moving high-risk projects forward at the executive level. Folks can cringe at that, but “stepping into one’s power” is key to being successful.

20. AnonymousMarch 5,2023 at 7:23PM UTC

    Because I’m at a point in my life where I’m tired of the stress and lack of work/life balance that comes with an executive role. I’m not ready to retire, but I’ve taken good enough care of my money that I can afford a major reduction in pay. Finally, I’ve designed programs and plans that for the most part was handed off to my teams to execute, I want to be where the work is as opposed to being in meetings. I get it’s not for everyone, but it’s where I am.

21. AnonymousMarch 6,2023 at 3:23PM UTC

    Thanks for your reply Melinda. I have been in this situation. I found success in stating that I wanted to be closer to the work so that I could follow outcomes through to execution. The IC level aligned with my natural curiosities to “dive deep” into solving customer problems. At the exec level I could only focus on the high level vision, personnel, budgetary aspects of the project. Perhaps tie purpose and strengths to the more detailed work.

22. AnonymousMarch 6,2023 at 12:40PM UTC

    Not everyone is power hungry

23. AnonymousMarch 6,2023 at 3:20PM UTC

    It seems that you have a negative perception of power. An an exec, my belief is that power is a good thing. It’s a mix of character and authority to pursue bold, creative directions. To have vision without the power to execute on them is useless.

24. Erika KlicsMarch 5,2023 at 2:41PM UTC

    When teams are hiring, they're really only focusing on 3 things:

    Can she do this job? (Skills)

    Can she do this job in our environment? (Fit)

    Does she want to do this job? (Staying power)

    Leveling plays a part in all 3 of those questions, so you need to be able to address them all upfront and throughout the process.

    For #1:

    Break down your examples of hands-on work in great detail. Find projects (or pick up projects) to demonstrate that you've done what they need *recently*.

    For #2:

    Speak to the right scope and scale of the roles you're pursuing at the companies you're pursuing them. Another commenter in here alluded to "VP" having many meanings in different orgs...they're totally right. You might even be able to find a "Principal" role somewhere where you deeply understand the product or the space and can come in with your expertise as an IC. (When I worked at Snapchat I remember we hired very senior folks like this all the time.)

    For #3:

    Stick to your narrative. Get clear on your why and share it consistently. If it changes and morphs in the process, that can let doubts creep in. I was recruiting for an Account Exec position recently and one of our candidates we liked in many other aspects had a reason for leaving that kept shifting...it made the hiring manager feel like she couldn't trust him and then started finding more details on other things that eroded trust...until she decided to pass on him.

    Hope this all helps!

25. Lynda BoothMarch 5,2023 at 3:04PM UTC

    I went from Director to individual contributor. I told my story by letting them know that I did some soul searching and wanted to concentrate on where my passion was. I got the job. It is all about how you tell your story.

26. AnonymousMarch 5,2023 at 3:12PM UTC

    I understand what you mean. Employment is a two way street. It’s ideally where your interest and the company’s interest in making impact should intersect and/or compliment each other. I would encourage identifying how your experience and skills could bring advantages and growth for the company as an individual contributor. Are there competencies not as common within the organization, content expertise, or even basic skills you have that the organization needs but currently outsources. These are points that may help make a convincing argument. Also, I’ve learned that this is a never ending dance and if they can’t find value in such an opportunity someone else will.

27. Mhairi DunnMarch 5,2023 at 5:13PM UTC

    It depends to on what that team needs - if you’ve got a team of brilliant contributors but who don’t want to progress that can give companies problems, they will be looking for someone eager to learn and progress up to senior roles. Might just have been unlucky in where you’ve applied. Good luck!

28. Chere EstrinMarch 5,2023 at 6:02PM UTC

    One of the best ways to counter this bias is to say: "I realize that you may think that I am willing to take a cut in salary and that I won't be happy. However, this is a whole new, challenging, and exciting avenue for me. It's not money so much as it is a great opportunity and a fresh start utilizing my existing skills. You get an experienced professional and I get a great new opportunity. It's a win-win for both of us.

29. Christine McDadeApril 1,2023 at 1:10PM UTC

    I have taken this approach and still find that the hiring managers do not tend to believe it. However, things are slow in my industry and it is also easy to find even less expensive, less experienced people. Experience is not valued much, except when you have none and it is made a requirement for an entry level role. A catch-22.

30. Tasha PattersonMarch 5,2023 at 8:03PM UTC

    I applaud you for taking a step back and focusing on what works best for you and your current life. I will say, I went from managing two programs to stepping down to an individual contributor and it was a learning curve. Having to answer to someone, request, dealing with micromanaging was challenging. I realize that I’m better in a contract role where I am focused on my work without having to supervise or manage someone else, and not having to answer to a supervisor. You may have to answer to the company that you contract with, but it’s different.

    Also, I could see why people would be thinking that you won’t last long in that position and may go back to leadership, because of the things that come with stepping down and realizing that leadership may be better. But you know your situation best and I wish you well.

31. AnonymousMarch 6,2023 at 3:54PM UTC

    I'm intrigued by your answer as at times I think I would like to step back as I think about early retirement/semi-retirement, but I believe I would also have an issue with not making the decisions / calls and being subject to perhaps a manager that micromanaged me or didn't just let me do my thing. I'm also fairly certain that if I do step back I'd have to do it in another organization as I would find it more difficult in a role I "know" vs. being in a new place of learning an organization and role. I have also felt the contractor role might be the way to go when the time comes.

    I'm curious - how did you go about the contractor role - did you go through a firm or did you start your own business as a contractor / consultant? At the end you mention something about realizing leadership may be better - did you ever feel that way? It sounds like you came to terms with your setup - not having to manage but also not having to "answer" to a supervisor in the same manner as an employee. How long did that take to adjust to?

32. AnonymousMarch 5,2023 at 10:36PM UTC

    I recently made this transition. I moved from a large private sector military contractor to a university. In the interview process, I emphasized my desire to be part of a team making a difference fir our state stakeholders, and that cooperative, collaborative organizational culture is a priority for me.. Try nonprofit organizations; they tend to be a bit more open and fluid in terms of roles. In my experience, they also tend to exhibit less age bias.

33. Michelle SteppMarch 5,2023 at 11:17PM UTC

    Best of luck. I have just started this journey also. I have over 30 years experience in retail management. I am also struggling with explaining the why of wanting to step back. I am very interested in everyone's suggestions.

34. Barbara PutisMarch 6,2023 at 3:40AM UTC

    Are you currently employed ? I took a step back a few years ago and it was easier to tell the story as I was gainfully employed in the higher position when I was interviewing. For my industry it was a matter of explaining that I wanted to get back to what I really enjoyed and wanted to be "more hands on in the work" It helped that the person I interviewed with had just overcome breast cancer and had taken time off to recovery - she got it.

35. Crystal HowellMarch 6,2023 at 5:40AM UTC

    I would say what others have said in higher roles, I have enjoyed working in management for several years, it's time for me to be home with my family at a normal hour. I really want to connect better with my co workers, and do the work on the front line. As a previous manager, I know where the company is headed and an make adjustments on the front line to get us there.

36. AnonymousMarch 6,2023 at 8:45PM UTC

    I don't know Crystal, the home with family at normal hours, may signal to some that you won't be available during critical times. I work at a company and have an awesome work life balance and work from home, but I know that I need to be available during critical times and sometimes that is not during normal hours.....