Would this conversation shock you?
As a former marketing executive and a leadership practitioner, I always assume that everyone out there is just like me: looking to advance their career (or business) and move to the next level. Makes sense, right?
I recently spoke with a client who is on the cusp of making partner in her firm. When she told me, I was genuinely excited for her. What an exciting opportunity! Then she told me something that shocked me.
She was avoiding having the partner conversation with her boss because she wasn't sure if she really wanted to make partner. Why? Because she knew that she would have a bigger work load and she was already feeling like she had a full enough plate, and more importantly, she would have to do more of those things that she really didn't like to do. She acknowledged that the salary and title were strong incentives though.
We spent time discussing under what circumstances she would consider taking on the partner role including negotiating for additional staff to handle some of the day-to-day activities that she was handling and perhaps even some of those tasks she didn't enjoy.
I won't tell you what she decided to do. Instead, the big question for you is this: if you were in her shoes would you take the promotion or stay put?
I recently spoke with a client who is on the cusp of making partner in her firm. When she told me, I was genuinely excited for her. What an exciting opportunity! Then she told me something that shocked me.
She was avoiding having the partner conversation with her boss because she wasn't sure if she really wanted to make partner. Why? Because she knew that she would have a bigger work load and she was already feeling like she had a full enough plate, and more importantly, she would have to do more of those things that she really didn't like to do. She acknowledged that the salary and title were strong incentives though.
We spent time discussing under what circumstances she would consider taking on the partner role including negotiating for additional staff to handle some of the day-to-day activities that she was handling and perhaps even some of those tasks she didn't enjoy.
I won't tell you what she decided to do. Instead, the big question for you is this: if you were in her shoes would you take the promotion or stay put?
Posted by Regina Barr at 7/22/2010 3:45 PM 
Categories: Career Advancement
Tags: leader senior vice president executives director Women vice president partner
Categories: Career Advancement
Tags: leader senior vice president executives director Women vice president partner
I once knew someone who was in a similar situation and she took on the new position. Over time, it ended up being too much for her and she was forced to leave it, regretfully. She was disappointed, but felt she made the right choice. Could there be any deep-seated feelings that this person has about the company that are surfacing, now that she would be part of the “old person’s network?” No slackers on this team, if you know what I mean. Is she anticipating feelings of disappointment in terms of the usual expectations one has of the new role, but thinking she will not be feeling fulfilled in comparison to the renewed effort she will have to put forth? It sounds like the coaching you did with her was perfect.
Food for thought. Good for you (regarding your schedule), glad you are busy!
Reply to this
I agree with you that everything is negotiable. Never make assumptions about anything -- even what one thinks a particular job might look like in the future. We do have control over how a tasks are executed --No two people do 'partner' the same way. There are no victims here. Only mind traps. Seems we fall into them everyday.
Reply to this