I have a great role working for the head of our organisation.

11 Comments

1. AnonymousNovember 14,2021 at 3:47AM UTC

   What you know in your head and know in your heart are sometimes radically different. I follow my heart because every time I listen to my head I wind up somewhere I don't want to be.

   You'll innately know when it's time to move ahead. It's usually something you just know in your heart. You seldom need motivation. You, instead, just feel it's right.

2. AnonymousNovember 15,2021 at 11:04AM UTC

   Thank you…needed to hear this. I’m trying to force this move due to articles I’d read about women’s salaries peaking around their early 40s and my own fears of ‘missing the boat’ as a working mum.

3. Healthcare workerNovember 15,2021 at 2:11PM UTC

   But you are already in a sweet spot and say you are paid well, treated well, etc. If the company is so small that you think it isn’t stable or you will get phased out at some point that’s one thing, or if you were paid below market due to the small size and length of stay then sure, but a lot of that advice of moving on and up is based on typical corporate set ups where staying is stagnating and you suffer pay and respect wise. That doesn’t sound like your experience so I don’t know? Maybe talk to your boss about their future vision and see if they anticipate a time when you will have your own team to lead through the growth of the program. It’s an easy conversation just talk about how great the company is, how wonderful everyone is doing, and ask what their vision is what do they think the trajectory for growth looks like. State it like it’s a done deal not an if but a when. The boss will see you believe in the company and may open up about growth plans or perhaps get inspired to develop growth plans and you could end up heading that up. With the good spot you are in you could very well be the leader you want to be with the group you are with. Share some goals, share some ideas, don’t just move for the sake of moving because you have heard that’s the only path forward. It’s like people who think they need to but three or four homes in a lifetime, a starter home, a step up build equity home, a dream home, and then a retirement home. In fact, if the first home is a good fit, and you don’t feel the need to keep up with the Jones’ , that one home can be all the homes. And save you tons of money and stress.

4. TroyNovember 14,2021 at 4:31AM UTC

   Hey Anonymous, I agree, you will know when it’s time. As you have a great relationship with your current boss, have you shared your desires. Sometimes we feel that we can only get to the next level if we post out, but I’ve learned there are times when you just need to make it known. I say have that convo with your boss, talk about your progression and it it does come into fruition or is you feel stifled, you know your next move. Good luck ?

5. AnonymousNovember 15,2021 at 11:09AM UTC

   Thank you…I will think on this. I don’t want to create stress for my boss or any doubts that he’s not doing enough for me, something I feel I have to wrestle with myself. I like being self sufficient (guess that’s personal as I do that in my everyday life…not wanting to be a bother to anyone). He knows my career plan, just not when I want to trigger it - it is inevitable as a manager when employees leave, but this is one case where I can project out another 12-18 months of great growth for me and equally contributing to the business. Will take a pause on any action till the New Year, I do scope the market and mark specific next roles, what they’re looking for and am using my time to build some skills where I see gaps.

6. Shanita Taylor BSIS, BSc (Psyc), M.A.E.LNovember 14,2021 at 4:47AM UTC

   I would exercise communication. They say a closed mouth doesn't get fed.

7. AnonymousNovember 15,2021 at 2:27PM UTC

   I think it is important not to get caught up in the career path of others, what articles say is the direction our careers should go in, the timelines of others, FOMO, etc. because if you step out to another opportunity and it is crap, no one is going to be on the crap boat but you.

   I agree with the others who said to talk to your manager. The company is small right now but maybe there are some plans in the works that you don't know about. Maybe there are some opportunities coming up that will allow you to lead and he becomes your 2nd chair.

   Yes, there are some good roles in the market but you don't know all of the other things associated with that role - bad company, bad management, unreasonable demands, unstable company. You risk running into those and from reading a lot of the posts on this site, that happens often.

   I also agree that when you are ready, you will know. You will not have to motivate yourself. In the meantime, continue to kill it! Continue to make the connections (both inside and outside of your organization), join professional organizations related to your industry, get certifications if that is a thing in your industry, talk to your mentors about your transition plan, get a sponsor who will advocate for you.

   Best wishes.

8. Melissa NobileNovember 15,2021 at 2:34PM UTC

   You’ll know when the time is right. That said, remember that the older your children get, the more they need you. This sounds counterintuitive, but it is they way it works. The homework load increases, the activities increase, the sports schedules expand, and the friend circle gets larger. If you go to another job that isn’t as flexible or doesn’t have the same work-life balance, you’ll be miserable. Just look carefully before you leap.

9. Karen GongawareNovember 15,2021 at 2:52PM UTC

   you know your career plan isn't set in stone. Life happens. Are you unhappy where you are? Is it toxic? Is the pay sucky or the compensation awful? Sounds like you are at a good place right now. Be flexible with your goals and kind to yourself. Doesn't sound like a golden handcuff to me. Sounds like a pretty damn good gig that a few thousand others would love to take.

10. Laura Ann KleinNovember 16,2021 at 12:36AM UTC

    I highly recommend you wait to take your career to the next level of leadership. a previous commenter wisely noted your seven year old will need you more. This x1000and even if they are stay at home bookworms or gamers without all the sports ball things, your teenage son will need you at home. He won't tell you nor will he necessarily be acting out. My sons. have both told me how much they appreciated me being home so much when they were growing up. I worked as a bedside nurse until my younger son was a freshman in college. And then it was MY go-time. And girl, I've exceeded my goals I thought I wanted when my kid was 5 just before my divorce. Stay with the familiar and the easy. until your son leaves home. Chances are, you'l. suffer bordom, and that's a grea time to find a hobby. Keep current in your field with continuing ed and certifications. Get a new certification (Six Sigma, PMP, RCA type things. Take on on stretch opportunities at work. Your health will thank you, your kid will thank you. Your ego will get over it.

11. AnonymousNovember 22,2021 at 8:08PM UTC

    I spent the weekend doing a SWOT on myself, pinning roles that looked like the next step and the next step. Got a call from a recruiter who knows a former colleague of mine in the career direction I want to take so I’m going to explore it :)