Natalie Gahrmann is a success coach and owner of N-R-G Coaching Associates, a private coaching company that specializes in helping working parents achieve mastery of work and life. Her clients experience more clarity, direction and alignment while reducing stress in their busy lives.
Turning Down a Promotion
Lyn writes, "I'm in senior management at a fortune 500 company and have just
been offered a promotion. However, I have two young children and the new
position would require considerably more travel and I'm not sure I want to
spend that much time away from my family. How can I turn down the promotion
without ruining my chances for promotions within the company later?"
Answer:
Turning down a promotion is a bit risky. Unfortunately, there is no
guarantee that opportunities will be available again in the future. However,
it is important that you follow your heart. Having a position that requires
considerably more travel and more responsibilities will undoubtedly pull you
away from your family a lot more. Your children will only be young once!
When I worked in the Corporate world, I did turn down a promotion
opportunity immediately after I returned from care of newborn for my first
child. It was unnerving because I had worked so hard to have that
opportunity. I knew the timing was all wrong. I sat with my boss and had a
very honest discussion and agreed to let him know when I felt ready to
pursue advancement opportunities. I continued to perform at exceptional
levels and get recognized for my outstanding accomplishments. Once I became
more comfortable with balancing work and family, I spoke with my boss again.
This time I let him know that I was ready and the types of positions I would
consider. I made it clear that I was not looking for a job with excess
travel and was willing to wait for the right position. Fortunately, it came
along and I was much happier!
In another case, I had a client who was offered a position outside her
current employer. The position was significantly more money, more travel and
more responsibilities. She seriously considered accepted this position and
explored her reasons for wanting it and not wanting it. In the end, she
chose not to accept it. Then she had a meeting with her boss to reengineer
her current job so that she had more opportunities. As a result, she and her
sales team had their best year ever! She was happy and she was able to
continue focusing on her family as her top priority.
So, the moral of the story, you must first decide your limitations and
communicate them straightforwardly. If you want to be re-considered for
future opportunities, be sure to state that you will consider advancement
and more responsibilities in the future--your concern is to do exceptional
work for the company and you know you can't do this if you are overly
concerned about leaving your family so frequently. Stay abreast of other
opportunities as they develop. If you are a strong candidate for promotion
and have proven yourself, I believe other opportunities will come along.
Focusing on your priorities and making conscious decisions will help you
enjoy your life. Getting promoted to the wrong position can be even more
detrimental to your career than not accepting a promotion. Develop a career
plan that's in synch with your family and personal commitments. Keep
developing the skills that will lead to growth opportunities either inside
your current employer or for another company. Wishing you much success and
happiness!
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If you're interested in work/life coaching, you can reach Natalie at (908) 281-7098 or via email