Why does it raise eyebrows when you tell an employer you don't want to be promoted?

10 Comments

1. E CMay 30,2022 at 3:55PM UTC

   I don't think I would want to be promoted in my current role. It would be exclusively people management at that point, and no work with clients. I am in a government role and have a passion for serving our clients. I would seek a lateral transfer or promotion in another department rather than in this role.

2. AnonymousMay 30,2022 at 5:07PM UTC

   I think the shock is not many are as humble minded as you.
   Many people no matter how high they climb the ladder are thirsty for the next promotion role even if they lack the skillset and emotional intelligence. It probably was a shock, but I would take it as a compliment. It is a blessing that you found a niche you excel at to where people approach you left and right for promotion, and you are an even greater gift to your environment by simply enjoying your day to day work and desire nothing more. So many work places would have better harmony and productivity with your attitude and mindset. So I commend you. No need to feel awkward about it. You are one of w kind….the golden unicorn.

3. AnonymousMay 30,2022 at 6:05PM UTC

   Thank you.

4. AnonymousMay 30,2022 at 6:30PM UTC

   No prob, golden unicorn.

5. SamanthaMay 31,2022 at 1:11PM UTC

   I think it's just because typically, it's the typical path for most people to want to move up through a company. I wish jobs had more options for moving up the ladder that didn't involve having people reporting to them. I think some people are really good at their job but don't want direct reports which should be completely fine.

   Honestly, I would maybe try explaining your thinking to your boss. If you really enjoy what you're doing and don't want a promotion but want to be rewarded for your good work, they should appreciate that. But I will say - don't count it out forever, maybe there is some kind of promotion you could get that doesn't involve being a manger, or training others.

6. Krista Haugner Sieg, MBAMay 31,2022 at 2:18PM UTC

   I love your question because whether or not you want to move on to the next thing isn't an indicator of how connected you are to doing a good/great job at what you are doing now! Companies need people in both categories (superstars and rockstars - https://www.shortform.com/blog/rock-star-vs-superstar-radical-candor/#:~:text=Your%20employees%20will%20likely%20fall,Low%20performance%20with%20no%20growth ) to be successful.

7. AnonymousJune 1,2022 at 7:31PM UTC

   Looks like I am a rock star. I never stop learning and expanding my knowledge base. I do enjoy mentoring, I like watching the people around me find their joy.

8. Barb HansenMay 31,2022 at 3:31PM UTC

   It doesn't raise eyebrows to me (I'm a hiring manager and tech leader).

   I have managed many strong developers and IT people who don't want to manage, and/or they don't want more responsibility. They want to code or do their IT work.

   I always ask team members what they want out of their career and I mention that their career growth doesn't need to lead to a management position (to remove any concerns they may have that their only way up is into management).

   For staff members that don't want a management position, I've created senior positions that only related to a person's ability to do their jobs.

   For staff members that don't want to manage but are happy to mentor younger staff, we've created those positions.

   Benefits to those employees include job title increases, pay increases, additional monies for training, ability to attend and perhaps speak at conferences, access to editors if they wanted to write articles, and ability to lead "free Fridays" (where the development team and others would work on any projects they wanted to - perhaps not related to current work-product).

   My advise to you is to be open with your manager(s) about your desire to grow in your career without growing up the management ladder. You may be able to craft your own career path at your current job and if not, ask the questions related to career growth when you look for your next job.

   Good luck!

9. Lisa HughesJune 1,2022 at 3:07PM UTC

   I'm not in IT, but I am in a field where I could keep moving up into the corporate world. And I've never wanted to. When I first landed the job I have now, the director told me that with my qualifications she can help me run a company someday. I told her I absolutely did not want that. The position she was hiring me for was what I wanted. She smiled and said, "so be it. I'll help you be the best at your job. I'll support you all the way."

   Just because I don't want to be management does not mean I'm not a team player. She knew that, and I've displayed that in my 1+ year here. Some more ambitious people are surprised, but it's who we are. You keep doing you.

10. JC LindquistJune 1,2022 at 5:20PM UTC

    This is so puzzling but as an economy that is driven on consumption, bigger is better, success is determined by your title and/or paycheck, companies tend to adopt this in their culture.

    As a former team leader, I had people that were great with their current roles and so was I because they were really good at it and I needed the stability as others continued to get promoted into new roles or simply moved on to new opportunities. They provided a foundation, leadership and mentorship to those around them because of their years in the role.

    You are not the only person that feels that way.