I had a boss that said that as well - that people get promoted to their level of incompetence - and I have seen it play out SO many times and it's such a tragedy in most cases because everyone suffers.
I have been promoted several times in my career into leadership positions and despite being told that was the pot of gold, I hated it. I did the role just fine and was always praised for it - but I do not like managing people. I don't like being measured by other people's performance, I don't like delegating, I loathe training people, I don't like conducting 1:1s and I would rather brush my teeth with the toilet brush than discipline someone. I just want to be left alone to be amazing at my job and then go home at the end of the day. So thank you for this article - because you're right, not everyone wants this!
The way I make this so clear in EVERY 1:1 I have had with my manager (and friend) for the last 2.5 years! I also would be tempted to use the It's a No For Me Dog GIF of Randy Jackson in my response :D
If my old company did one thing right, it was having our twice-yearly feedback sessions include the question of what career path we wanted to pursue - technical or management. I wish every company did that, because not everyone is suited for management or wants to be management. Some of us just want to play in Excel all day, every day, forever and ever, amen!
The myth that everyone should be promoted to management is sooo misguided. It takes both skill and DESIRE to manage people. I have had very good and very poor managers. I loved being a manager and got my masters in leadership because it resonated. What was left of my team after I was laid off summarily quit within two months. (Not so secretly made me feel very happy. Fuck that company.)
All of which is to say that it’s silly to penalize people for not wanting to manage or take on more responsibility. Northrop Grumman, where I worked decades ago, was a big proponent of changing departments and trying new things, which I always thought was wise. Encourage people to grow how THEY want to grow.
Apparently I had a lot to say about this! Good morning!!
Good morning! Spoken like an experienced leader. Some people do not make good managers, and others might, but (like Shannon) they just don’t want to! Good companies acknowledge and solve for both.
I had a boss that said that as well - that people get promoted to their level of incompetence - and I have seen it play out SO many times and it's such a tragedy in most cases because everyone suffers.
I have been promoted several times in my career into leadership positions and despite being told that was the pot of gold, I hated it. I did the role just fine and was always praised for it - but I do not like managing people. I don't like being measured by other people's performance, I don't like delegating, I loathe training people, I don't like conducting 1:1s and I would rather brush my teeth with the toilet brush than discipline someone. I just want to be left alone to be amazing at my job and then go home at the end of the day. So thank you for this article - because you're right, not everyone wants this!
I will continue to leave you (mostly) alone, because you are hands-down the best at your current role! But the toilet brush comment made me LOL.
The way I make this so clear in EVERY 1:1 I have had with my manager (and friend) for the last 2.5 years! I also would be tempted to use the It's a No For Me Dog GIF of Randy Jackson in my response :D
Great response and boundary setting Melissa <3
Hahahaha that meme would be perfectly appropriate here
If my old company did one thing right, it was having our twice-yearly feedback sessions include the question of what career path we wanted to pursue - technical or management. I wish every company did that, because not everyone is suited for management or wants to be management. Some of us just want to play in Excel all day, every day, forever and ever, amen!
We have those conversations too! Sometimes people surprise me with where they want to be, but helping them get there always makes them (and us) shine.
The myth that everyone should be promoted to management is sooo misguided. It takes both skill and DESIRE to manage people. I have had very good and very poor managers. I loved being a manager and got my masters in leadership because it resonated. What was left of my team after I was laid off summarily quit within two months. (Not so secretly made me feel very happy. Fuck that company.)
All of which is to say that it’s silly to penalize people for not wanting to manage or take on more responsibility. Northrop Grumman, where I worked decades ago, was a big proponent of changing departments and trying new things, which I always thought was wise. Encourage people to grow how THEY want to grow.
Apparently I had a lot to say about this! Good morning!!
Good morning! Spoken like an experienced leader. Some people do not make good managers, and others might, but (like Shannon) they just don’t want to! Good companies acknowledge and solve for both.