How to Move Up in Your Career When You Don’t Want to Manage Employees

While there are many people who are eager to climb the corporate ladder as quickly as possible, there are others who are perfectly content in non-managerial positions and have no desire to have people working underneath them.

Some employees shy away from the idea of becoming a manager because they don’t want to:

• Work directly with colleagues who may not want to take direction from them
• Add responsibility to their already busy work life
• Work extended hours, which can cause more stress and time away from their family
• Be in charge or be in the spotlight
• Put work first over their personal life, possibly throwing off their work-life balance
• Leave a position or role they already enjoy working in

If you have no aspirations to take on a managerial position, let your employer know that you will still work hard for them even though you prefer to stay in your current job role. Not wanting to be promoted doesn’t mean a person lacks ambition. Success isn’t only defined by a person’s title or salary. In fact, many employees are incredibly successful because they consistently contribute their skills and hard work to their organization.

How You Can Move up Without Becoming a Manager  

Whether you’ve been offered a promotion or just know that becoming a manager is something you’re not interested in, there are ways to ensure your success without having to manage people. Those situations include:

• Emphasizing your strengths – If your boss has mentioned moving you to a managerial role, and the idea freaks you out, don’t panic. Instead, let them know how much you love contributing to the company both individually and as part of a team. Explain to him or her that you would like to learn more about roles that can allow you to keep doing what you enjoy without managing others.
• Researching different options – If you still want a promotion without becoming a manager, look at companies that are comparable to yours that offer positions that are just a step above your current job description. Present the roles to your boss as a way to show how you can advance within your company that will benefit both you and your
• Keeping an open mind – Really think about the reasons you don’t want to be a manager. Is it because you’re afraid of change? Are you hesitant about leaving a team you love working with? Do you think you won’t be able to handle the added responsibility or stress? Whatever you may feel is entirely reasonable. However, you want to make sure that your nervousness isn’t in response to a temporary situation. Transitioning roles may be scary at first, but if making the initial move is what frightens you, maybe you want to give the idea of becoming a manager a little more thought.

Most employers understand that not everyone wants to be a manager. So, although they may see you as a valuable asset to the organization, they would prefer to promote someone who is interested in advancing. While you may be limiting yourself by not wanting to take on a managerial position, you are not necessarily putting yourself in a bad spot.

To discover career opportunities that could be right for you, learn about specialized training that can get you into some of the hottest, most in-demand career fields. With the LifeWorks training course, you will be connected with the people and resources that can help get you on the right career path. Developed by The Jobs Partnership, the LifeWorks course was created to help students be successful in both their work and personal lives. To take the first step in securing a better future for you and your family, apply now online.