I have a friend who turned down a promotion.
Why?
Because they were happy.
The promotion was an amazing opportunity.
The role had greater impact with a wider remit, and they would have rocked it as a regional lead.
But they didn’t want it.
They liked what they had.
They liked the way work fit around their life and not the other way around.
It’s rare to hear stories like this.
Not because they don’t happen, but because they don’t fit the narrative we’re sold.
You’re supposed to say yes to a promotion.
You’re supposed to keep climbing.
You’re supposed to want “more”.
But what if “more” costs you what matters?
If you are a regular reader of my posts, you might have got this impression from me, and I want to apologise for this.
My key to coaching professionals in their 20s & 30s is to keep choosing the BEST option out of all available opportunities.
If one of my clients is offered a role and they turn it down, we celebrate this decision!
You never want to accept an offer that actually costs you more overall.
So saying yes to something “great” doesn’t always mean you’re advancing.
And saying no to something “great” can be the very definition of success on your terms.