I Asked My Boss for a Promotion. I Got One—but There’s a Catch.
Good Job is Slate’s advice column on work. Have a workplace problem big or small? Send it to Laura Helmuth and Doree Shafrir here. (It’s anonymous!)
I’ve been with my company for seven years, leading a small team in a role that’s been the same for a while. My boss knows I’m ready for more responsibility and a new challenge—we’ve discussed it several times. I raise my hand for extra projects all the time out of boredom and for the exposure.
I’m currently covering for a team lead on parental leave and handling both jobs. This experience has been rewarding; I’m enjoying learning a different side of the business and stepping into a more strategic leadership role. I’d planned to share this with my boss to help guide my next steps, but before I could, she offered me another team lead position. It’s similar to my previous work but involves higher-profile projects, more visibility, and an extra $20,000 per year, though it likely means more stress. For additional context, she had previously floated the possibility of me leading this team as a next step if/when the role became available, but I’ve always been less than enthusiastic—and openly so.
When I explained what I wanted, she said my ideal role had already gone to someone else—the same person I would be replacing. She also made it clear that accepting this new role is the only available path for advancement, given the low turnover at the company. I accepted for the money and lack of alternatives, but I’m disappointed and worried I’ll go into this new role feeling unmotivated. Am I just being an ungrateful, big baby?
—Is the Money Worth It?
Dear Is the Money Worth It,
You’re not being a big baby, but you may be overlooking some important lessons about career advancement. But before we get to that, congratulations on the promotion offer! Even in a low-turnover workplace, you stood out and earned this opportunity through ambition, competence, volunteering for extra projects, and covering for a colleague on leave.
So, let’s spell out some additional lessons that can help you stay on an upward career trajectory. First, to put it bluntly: Jobs are for what the company needs, not what you want. If your boss (and her boss) need you for this role and have made it clear that you won’t be offered another option, you can either take this promotion or stagnate in your current job.
Second, it’s difficult to move up more than one rung at a time. The organizational chart in your company may list the role you wanted and the role you’re being offered as equivalent, but you’re finding out that they’re not. The fact that you’ll be replacing the person who got the job you want means that this new role will position you for it in the future. The best way to get the job you want is to succeed in the one you’re being offered.
Third, being a team lead is a huge step up. It makes sense that your boss would want you to run a team that’s doing work you already understand, so you can focus on developing new management and leadership skills. You worry about being unmotivated, but there’s nothing like being responsible for other people to make you take work seriously. (Unless you’re a terrible manager and your direct reports write to us for advice about their negative, uncommunicative, lazy boss—but I don’t think you’ll let them down.)
You mention boredom, and presumably, accepting the new, higher-stress position will take care of that problem. If you find you hate the role, you’re still in a better position for other promotions or sideways moves within the company. Plus, the new title and salary will make you competitive for better jobs at other companies.
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