Manager: Is It A Good Career Move?

There’s multiple variables to factor into this question, but today let’s simplify this down to one.

Is becoming a manager a stepping stone to a higher role?

Now inevitably the answer should be yes, but let me clarify further…

• The original question centered around if becoming a manager is a good career move.

• That supposes accepting management as a necessary step to what’s beyond it.

Here’s where it gets dicey.

If you ask most former managers why they took the job, the majority will state it was a good career move.

Translation: middle management is a necessary evil in order to get where I want to be.

No shaming here - just complete honesty.

If that really is your intention, how effective can you really be as a manager?

Most ex-managers will fall into that category, but to truly understand a different perspective try this.

Great managers tend to see middle management as the end game.

That doesn’t mean it will be and if you’re good at it, you probably will be a candidate for promotion to the executive level.

Now that’s a good thing, but do you realize that once you move up you’ll still have managerial duties? 

Possibly less people to manage and more tasks to delegate, yet still in a similar predicament.

You see, either way leadership roles demand oversight of people.

My suggestion is: how you approach management responsibilities heavily influences how you’ll perform in that role.

The reality is if you are ambitious about your career, management is usually a logical step in that process.

I wish there were more alternative routes, but that’s really another post in the future.

I’ve coached many managers and the common thread I see with great ones is their desire to serve people.

• They don’t look at management as a chore.

• Instead it’s an honor/privilege.

I’ll speak from personal experience - I love managing teams.

In fact, someone at my church asked me the other day what types of roles I enjoy most and my answer to them was leading teams.

Being a great manager doesn’t mean achieving tasks falls by the wayside.

But it does mean dealing with interpersonal conflict is something you enjoy.

If that’s not you, it’s okay.

Chances are if you view people as “interruptions” to your work, management might not be the best fit for you.

As someone who trains new managers, I can tell quickly who is a good fit and who isn’t.

Rarely does it rely upon skill, but more so about attitude and effort.

If someone under your care is describing you as a manager, what do you want to hear?

Feeling valued, appreciated, heard, cared for are desirable responses (that doesn’t mean those are your answers).

Here’s my point: if being a manager is a necessary evil along your path to your career goals, it’s not a great fit.

But if the thought of helping others do their job and developing them at the same time fulfills you, you’re in the right place!

If I were you and the former response above describes you, I’d advise talking to your supervisor about an alternative role that suits your strengths better.

My reasoning stems from the fact that 60% of managers fail within the first 2 years.

A lot of that comes from how you view management plus a lack of training (I can help you there).

So ask yourself the question, “Is management a good career for me?”

Reply below. I’m interested in hearing your response.

God Bless,

Scott

If you found this helpful and you’re looking to improve your soft skills as a leader, here are ways to work with me directly

• 🗣 Hire me to speak at your company or next event (watch my speaking reel here)

• 🎤 Invite me to lead an interactive training workshop, remotely or in-person (depending on location)

• 🤝 Start 1:1 coaching with me as a new manager, current leader or executive (I once managed 30 people 1:1 weekly❗️)

Also, you can help me out by forwarding this to friends whom would benefit from it! Thank you!