Please Don’t Promote Me: 5 Tips on How to Avoid Career Vertigo
“Please don’t promote me! It’s stressful.” First of all, what?! I always felt like doing cartwheels or something when I was promoted. When I read “Please Don’t Promote Me” by Joseph Weber, I did a double take.
According to Weber, climbing the corporate ladder brings on vertigo: “In a recent survey, nearly one in five managers ranked getting a promotion as their most challenging life event. One big reason, say researchers at Development Dimensions International, which conducted the poll of 785 business leaders, is that 40% of managers get little or no support as they enter their new jobs, according to the survey. ‘It’s sink or swim,’ says Matthew Paese, vice-president at the Bridgeville (Pa.)-based human resources consulting firm.”
“Even more managers may express such fears in the near future, says Paese, as many baby boomers retire and leave an even bigger mentoring void for executives on the move.” Sinking would be stressful based on those survey results. Sounds like a proper diagnosis and treatment plan of career ladder vertigo is in order by asking the following:
- Am I feeling career vertigo? Because I feel like I’m spinning, tilting, rocking, or feel like falling through space? Or is it just nerves? Or something more serious that the jitters?
- What is the probable cause? Am I qualified for the position or under qualified? Am I in over my head? Have I been given too much responsibility without the resources to execute to achieve results? Is it first time manager issues? Other?
- Is it related to a confidence problem? Or other driving issues?
- How can the symptoms be controlled? Have I identified a 90-day plan for my first 90 days of the job, so I feel like I have a plan to deliver expected results? If not, perhaps that will help. Can I talk with a peer?
- Do I need to see a specialist like a career coach? Or a doctor for some anti-anxiety drugs!
During recessions as people are getting laid off, others are being promoted, due the vacuum that was left behind by those who have been shown the door. If you’re one of the lucky ones being promoted and you’re feeling career vertigo, ask yourself these questions to understand why you have a fear of promotion. Sieze the moment. Managing others is less stressful than being lower on the corporate ladder. As a manager, you have more control than you did as a direct report.
