Career Progression in Leadership: It's Not About Climbing

By Jayson Krause, Managing Director of Level 52 & Award-Winning Author of The Science Behind Success

It’s really easy to equate life progression with climbing the corporate ladder. The higher you climb, the more successful you are, right? Well, not necessarily. 

In one of our recent Fundamentals of Leadership programs, a participant courageously said, "I actually don't want a bigger role. I want to get better at my job so I spend less time at work and more time with my kids.” 

This statement is a testament to a shift in perspective that's as necessary as it is overdue. There's a great Steve Jobs story in the Walter Isaacson biography of him. Steve is at the zenith of his career—no CEO is more powerful, more rich, more in control. And as he invites one of his kids to view the plans for the upcoming Apple campus, he appears to forget which of his children is studying architecture and which is studying literature. It's a reminder—every hour spent building a business empire is an hour spent not doing something else.

It's about redefining what career progression means. It's not about climbing the ladder, it's about making intentional choices and it’s about mastering your craft.

Think about it: what's the point of climbing to the top if it means you don’t get to do the work you truly enjoy? Or worse, if it means sacrificing the things you actually love and cherish? As Thomas Merton said, “People may spend their whole lives climbing the ladder of “success” only to find, once they reach the top, that the ladder is leaning against the wrong wall.”

The key to true life progression is intention and mastery. It's about becoming clear about what you really want and about getting so good at what you do that you can do it more efficiently, more effectively, and with greater satisfaction. It's about honing your skills, expanding your knowledge, and becoming the best version of yourself.

This doesn't mean you shouldn't aspire to climb the corporate ladder. If that's your goal, go for it. But remember, the ladder is not the only path to career progression, yet most people follow that path because it’s the default. It’s also a classic case of destination-itis—that story you make up about when you get to that next position, then work will be better and more satisfying… and then you get there and you can’t figure out why you’re so miserable.

You can meaningfully progress laterally, exploring different roles within your field. You can deepen your expertise, becoming a specialist in a specific area. You can even progress downwards, stepping back from leadership roles to focus on individual contributions that light you up and fulfill your vision.

The point is, career progression is not a one-size-fits-all concept. It's a personal journey that should align with your goals, your values, and the vision you have for your life. Not the vision others have for you.

So, the next time you're contemplating your career progression, ask yourself: What do I really want? Is it to climb the ladder? To earn? To learn? Or focus on other parts of my life that need my focus and energy, right now?

Remember, the goal is not to spend more time at work, but to make the time you spend at work more meaningful, more satisfying, and more impactful.