Managing people is one of the most difficult things to do, and you have to possess certain people and leadership skills to become a successful manager. Also, not everyone wants to be a manager, it means more direct interaction with people who may not want to take direction from you, more responsibility, and in many cases, longer hours and more stress. Not everyone wants to be in charge or to be in the spotlight.
Another reason: more and more employees want a work-life balance where work isn’t necessarily their highest priority. There are many people whose top priority is raising a family and work comes second. When that’s the case, becoming a manager can make you less available at home.
There are many people who are really good at what they do; they enjoy their work, and they don’t want to jeopardize that with a promotion to management. Therefore, if you yourself have no plans or aspirations for taking on a managerial position, you should make your intent clear from the beginning.
Let your employer know that you’ll work hard even though you have no desire to get into management. Tell your employer that if they like your work and want to reward you, they should do it in the form of compensation or benefits. And remind them that not wanting a promotion is not a sign of lack of ambition.
In fact, you can be extremely successful in a non-managerial position. For some, reaching the top rung of the corporate ladder means joining the C-Suite and dealing with the long hours, politics, stress, and other challenges that come with the big title and financial rewards.
For others, success means finding a job that they like and are content with, one that allows them to provide for their families without them becoming overwhelmed by difficult deadlines and difficult people. If you’re really good at your job, and others around you acknowledge that, then you are successful. If your work contributes to the team’s success, then you are successful. Success isn’t always determined by your title or salary.
There are several things you can do to be a success in business without becoming a manager, these are:
1. Be great at what you do.
2. Have a great attitude.
If everyone around you enjoys working with you, this makes a big difference, if someone else can do your job for less money but you have the people skills advantage, it’s less likely your job will be in jeopardy.
3. Become the go-to person for something.
Perhaps you help your co-workers fix their computer problems, even though it’s not your job. You now have added value in your department. Doing good work is necessary but not always sufficient, you also have to make people around you comfortable, help them grow, and set a good example. You can’t afford to become arrogant or lackadaisical. You must continue to add value. One very good way to do this is to mentor the young up-and-comers.
4. Remind your supervisor that you really enjoy your job and aren’t after his or hers.
Your supervisor could hire a young upstart who might eventually want the supervisor’s job. With you, that won’t be an issue.
5. Be a team player.
Remind your boss that even though you have no desire to move up the corporate ladder, you are a team player and will do whatever it takes to make the team look good and succeed. Very aggressive and ambitious employees will sometimes selfishly focus on their own career paths and what makes them look good, instead of on the team as a whole, and this is something that won’t go over too well with many bosses.
Most employers recognize that not every employee is management material or may not want to be management material, so from an employer’s perspective, the key is to recognize and appreciate the talents of these employees and their contributions to the company, and to promote those who want to be promoted.
The bottom line is that you are limiting yourself by not wanting to become a manager, but you’re not necessarily placing yourself in a bad position, there is a place for those who don’t want to constantly move up the career ladder.
