What price are you willing to pay? - Routing the Costs of Career Ascent

Author: André L. Belleville

Introduction:

In a recent article, I discussed "Pacing your Career: Cultivating Authentic Career Progression for Young Managers". While the article targeted emerging leaders, today I will shift our focus to senior leaders. As those of us who've climbed the ladder and authentically paced our careers know, it's no easy feat. The path is a roller coaster ride of ups and downs - a reality we understand all too well. Leadership is said to be easy when everything is going well, and the roller coaster is on the upswing. However, it is during the downhill ride, caused by unexpected outcomes or bad decisions, where true leadership is tested. This is where we grow by gathering all the energy we can, learning from our mistakes, and ensuring we have enough speed to get back up on the other side.

Before diving deeper, let me set the stage:

• How many times have we taken the earliest flight in the morning and the latest one at night just to make the most of our remote office day? Have you experienced the Cab-Airport-Lounge-Flight-Cab-Office-Meetings-Reverse & Repeat routine?
• Have you ever been personally welcomed by the receptionist at the airport lounge because they know us and our routine better than our direct reports? "Welcome back, Mr. Belleville. Unfortunately, your flight is delayed. We hope it won't be as bad as last Friday."
• How frequently have you conducted Quarterly Business Reviews (QBR) while officially on personal leave? Remember being up at 4:00 AM in the hotel lobby while your family slept, dialing in for the quarterly business review scheduled in a time zone with a seven-hour difference? Your substitute was too nervous to report the 100+ key performance indicators (KPIs) you were responsible for, so you promised to be there virtually.
• Do you recall having a conversation with your partner, saying, "When we decided to start a family, I never imagined being a single mother with two little girls! Can we make a change? We miss you!"

Please don't get me wrong. I'm not suggesting that this is wrong or unfavorable. We chose this path, no one forced us to pursue our careers. We enjoy/ed the ride and have/had a lot of fun doing it. For some of us, this is a perfect setup.

As we progressed, we received awards in different categories, considered the "best of." As we walked onto the stage, we were a bit taken aback by the applause from the audience. We quickly realized that this recognition motivated us to strive for even greater success the next year and exceed our goals by far. The next promotion was just around the corner. We were part of the elite top talent program. But at times, we experience a profound sense that intensifies with every inquiry into the balance between what we receive (financial compensation, self-esteem, recognition, and pride) and the sacrifices made to arrive here.

What price are you willing to pay?

My recent engagement with an executive coaching client underscored the intricate decisions that senior leaders face when contemplating their next career move. Specifically, my client grappled with the choice between pursuing a board position or waiting for the next suitable opportunity because it meant being away from home over a length of time every now and then. As a coach, this deliberation resonated profoundly with me. It took considerable time—four years to be concise - outside the corporate sphere—to fully appreciate the nuances of this question. Now, armed with insights from my journey, I guide clients in making informed choices in their career progression.

The Price of Leadership:

Climbing the career ladder comes at a cost, and these costs can be multifaceted. From relentless work hours and heightened responsibility to strained work-life balance and even the pressure of visibility, each rung on the ladder demands its sacrifice. The question, then, is not whether you're willing to pay a price, but rather which prices align with your values, aspirations, and overall life vision.

To navigate this complex terrain, I've distilled the essence of this decision into five crucial questions:

1. What Are Your Core Values?
   Dig deep into your values to ascertain whether the potential prices of leadership align with your moral compass. Are you willing to sacrifice personal time and certain comforts for the sake of professional advancement? Balancing your values with your career aspirations is paramount to maintaining authenticity in leadership.
2. What Is Your Definition of Success?
   Success varies from person to person. Define your version of success before chasing someone else's narrative. Reflect on whether the corner office is genuinely your measure of success, or if there exist alternative paths through which you can make valuable contributions to both your organization and the industry.
3. How Do You Manage Stress and Resilience?
   Leadership roles often involve high levels of stress and resilience demands. Assess your ability to cope with setbacks and challenges. Reflect on your past experiences and learn how you can leverage them to thrive under pressure.
4. What Does Work-Life Integration Mean to You?
   Striking a balance between professional commitments and personal well-being is a perpetual struggle. Contemplate how you envision integrating these spheres. Are you willing to embrace flexibility and redefine traditional notions of work-life balance?
5. What Is Your Legacy?
   Consider the legacy you wish to leave behind. Leadership isn't just about titles; it's about the impact you make on your team, organization, and customers. Explore ways to lead authentically and positively and guide those around you.

Solutions Beyond the Summit:

The decision to pursue the apex of leadership should never be taken lightly. However, it's crucial to recognize that ultimate success doesn't solely reside in becoming a president or CEO. Success within an organization is nurtured by a wide variety of roles and duties, each of which makes a distinctive contribution to the overall business landscape.

• Embracing lateral growth: Rather than solely fixating on vertical ascension, consider lateral career moves that broaden your skillset and perspective. These moves can foster personal growth while contributing to the organization's overall health.
• Mentoring and knowledge-sharing: Channel your expertise by mentoring and guiding aspiring leaders within and outside your organization. By nurturing the next generation of talent, you can create a lasting legacy that transcends job titles.
• Fostering innovation: Seek opportunities to innovate and drive change within your current role. Creating impact isn't confined to the highest positions; it's about leading with creativity and strategic thinking.

Summary:

As seasoned leaders standing at the height of their careers, the decision to ascend to the pinnacle of leadership is a complicated one. The price to be paid is a composite of sacrifices, aspirations, values, and personal boundaries. By exploring these elements through introspective questioning, we can make informed decisions that align with our journeys and aspirations. Remember, it's not just about reaching the top—it's about how we climb and what we create along the way.

From a personal perspective, I didn't give it much thought in my early years as a manager. It was only as time went on and I gained seniority that I really understood it:

What's the point of achieving the pinnacle only to find out that the price you paid led to for example a divorce, severe illness, or in the worst case a much shorter lifespan than hoped or worked for? Existence encompasses far more than just work. It revolves around the intimate instances that will etch your memory, rather than the heroism of participating in a 4:00 AM QBR as though the fate of the world rested on your presence. Ultimately, looking after yourself is essential for the well-being of those you care about.

Take good care of yourself!