October 28, 2024
Business Insider recently published an article featuring Michel Anteby, Professor of Management and Organizations, exploring the growing trend of professionals choosing to decline promotions.
Employers are facing a dilemma, as traditional incentives like promotions no longer motivate workers as they once did. Rather, workers are motivated by meaningful work, autonomy, and respect from their managers. To retain talent, companies need to focus on offering roles that are enjoyable and fulfilling, rather than relying on the promise of climbing the corporate ladder.
“Everybody wants to be the VP or the partner with the corner office. The imaginary is that life will be much better then. But in fact, you might be losing out on something that’s very meaningful to you,” Anteby adds.
The growing rejection of promotions reflects a broader shift in values, where work-life balance and personal fulfillment are increasingly prioritized over traditional career advancement, marking a significant change in the American work ethic.
