Member-only story
Up For a Promotion? Think Twice Before Accepting
Being put up for a promotion is often seen as the holy grail of career success. The validation of your hard work feels great, and the allure of more money, prestige, and respect can be appealing.
But when the moment comes to decide whether or not you want to accept or ask for, a promotion, you may also feel an inner resistance. And it’s important to address that resistance because a promotion can often lead to more stress, anxiety, and potential burnout.
Is Now the Right Time for a Promotion?
One of my clients, Zane, was a manager at a large technology company. He was considered a “rock-star” on the fast track for growth. At the same time, his job was very demanding. He worked nights to keep up with his workload and was often distracted by work matters while at the dinner table with family.
When Zane’s boss approached him about a promotion, he felt conflicted. Becoming a senior manager would boost his salary and offer bigger opportunities. But as someone who had suffered from imposter syndrome (which involves feeling like a fraud despite one’s achievements, and can cause feelings of anxiety), he also worried that the additional pressure would be more than he could handle — and be harmful to his mental health.
