Am I crazy for expecting a leader ship role vs a lower stress position for close to the same money?

NotchElk

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Dec 10, 2024
Messages
18
What role gives you the opportunity to chase the quality of life you want? Do you have a desire to be a manager? Do you want to lead people or would it be more of the title that you’d want or the salary that comes with it?

Speaking from experience as someone who has chased the dollars, titles, and climbed the corporate ladder, you need to focus on what makes you happy and gives you the best quality of life. I loved/love leading people and doing all I can to help others reach their potential and achieve their goals. But I hate the political side of having to play the corporate game to get the promotion or keep climbing the ladder.

Focus on what makes you happy. Gives you the opportunity to chase your passions outside of your job and allows you to enjoy life as much as possible.
 

Wolf

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Feb 19, 2022
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Location
Lakeview, Ohio
So long story short I applied to a different company and received a job offer for it, the compensation is higher then I thought it would be.

In the meantime my current employer recently created a lead role/management and they have offered the role to me.

The total compensation is within a few thousand dollars a year so very similar.

Both roles are in the same industry. Obviously the lead role comes with a lot more responsibilities.

One side of me wants the mental challenge of the lead role and to be able to add it to my resume and then one side of me wants to take the easy less stress job but I am worried I will get bored in the role….


Any advice?


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I have owned and operated a construction company since 1994. I have a higher stress job and am never “off work” compared to my employees. I often wonder if it wouldn’t have been better to continue working for someone else for less stress and easier living. I always return to the mindset that it is worth it. I feel a management roll is worth the added responsibility and stress. It opens up many more doors for you and give you a sense of pride. I feel more whole as a person taking on responsibility and succeeding. This new position could be a stepping stone to even bigger and better things. Good luck whichever way you decide👍🏽
 
Joined
Sep 2, 2015
Messages
510
What is the third option? I've often found when I gave only two options I need to increase my field of view before making a decision.

Where do you wish to be career wise in 5-10 years? Now which of the options you are currently considering get you there in a productive way?

What is the opinion of your spouse and/ or family in regards to the options you are considering?


Last but not least, my greatest recommendation, ask the Lord to reveal to you the best direction with regards to your options.


If you have no relationship with the Lord, consider Him as the first option to choose and make things right with before embarking on any of the other adventures above.


Regards & blessings!
 

Rich M

WKR
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Jun 14, 2017
Messages
5,620
Location
Orlando
Yer young. It's starting to come together.

Sounds like current company values and wants to keep you. At least as long as the leadership/ownership stays the same, you have a solid job. There is a lot to say about that.

I see a lot of people with career goals - if you don't own the company, you don't control that stuff. I'm part owner with 50+ employees. Some want stuff but aren't willing to work for it. They take advantage of every perk and then walk out at 4 or 5 when a project is due - dump it on their boss to finish. Not management material. They have career goals, for sure - just no drive to see it thru. In order to achieve growth you have to sacrifice something.

Take a runner for example - get up early 3 times a week and run til they legs fall off. Do a marathon. Get ready for next one. Sacrifice is sleep, hours spent running, dietary, and focus. No different at work, just working extra hours is presented as bad and gets a negative vibe.
 

Rich M

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Orlando
I was offered higher management positions at my company but I declined. I’ve shed my staff management responsibilities and now just have to manage my own projects working from home. Flexibility is more important to me than money. I much prefer freedom over a 20% pay increase for 50% more work
You are making good money. You can afford your lifestyle and prepping for retirement.

Most folks don't enough money to do that.
 

5MilesBack

"DADDY"
Joined
Feb 27, 2012
Messages
16,204
Location
Colorado Springs
One side of me wants the mental challenge of the lead role and to be able to add it to my resume and then one side of me wants to take the easy less stress job but I am worried I will get bored in the role….
I get bored in most jobs right about the 1-year mark, and am ready for something else. I need constant action and change of scenery to keep my attention. But that's also why I hunt the way I do. I have to keep my mind occupied and running at all times.

Just remember the old saying "If you have a job you love, you'll never work a day in your life".
 
Joined
Dec 28, 2015
Messages
906
I got into nursing leadership once.

Worst year of my life in terms of my working career. You never stop working. It’s 24/7 someone is calling/texting/emailing. There are no boundaries.

Pay was great but working 80 hrs a week was not fun at all.

After a year I stepped down and went back to being a regular old bedside nurse. Best decision I ever made.
 

brca005

FNG
Joined
Jul 26, 2024
Messages
4
Do what’s going to make you happy! We’re all just warm bodies on this planet until we die, regardless of whatever position we have, we’re all expendable. So while we’re on this planet, do what makes you happy and whichever position you think will give you more time to do your hobbies. Being able to do your “8 and skate” (I know you’d be working 10’s), without having to take work home is something to account for.

I’ve been quite successful in my professional career, I missed the first 6 years of my youngests life because I was always working, 2 1/2 years ago we decided to sell everything and hit the road in an RV, best decision we have ever made. Being able to spend time with my kids while they’re young has been amazing! I’m not saying doing that is for everyone, what I’m saying is, it has made me look at the bigger picture of life and appreciate the little things.

Do what makes you happy, death is inevitable and no one knows when it’s gonna happen, so enjoy you’re time on Earth.
 
Joined
Jan 1, 2022
Messages
419
Location
AB
I took on a leadership role because "if you need it done correctly do it yourself" I just took control of the project and settled in and the office went with it. I'm a supervisor in an applied science trade profession and when we don't have projects I am on the tools but I still get paid the same regardless. My office certainly isn't perfect and to touch on what someone else said about the culture of other companies I considered taking a $9/hr paycut to join a new up and coming company only to later learn from a buddy that worked there that guys who left us for that company regretted it, their office operated the same, most techs never got company emails so they were required to use personal emails to communicate with clients, never got work trucks to bring home, and the bumps in pay were negated when the new collective agreement was passed.

All in all talking with my other coworkers we decided we have it pretty good and that the grass isn't always greener on the other side.

It's the devil you know vs the devil you don't know and for me personally I'd rather deal with the devils I know because I know when to put them in their places.

Not sure any of that helps but you're welcome lol.
 
Joined
Nov 27, 2013
Messages
1,962
One thing about existing positions is the company knows your habits, when you take off, "you months" etc. I'm pretty deep into my career, and I won't change as I'm good with the money, and they know I'm out in May/June, September, and November.
 

Loper

WKR
Joined
Jul 1, 2020
Messages
1,152
Like many have said, it depends on your goals. Do you want to have career success, a little more change in your pocket, and additional responsibilities, or do you value your time off to do hobbies and a more relaxed mind set?

Also, as others mentioned you have to evaluate your current company’s culture and the leadership you currently or may in the future report into. If you dont care for your current company, then it may be time to go. However, if the current company has never given you a reason to dislike it or leave, consider that as well.

I think you are in the best position you could ask for since you have options.

If your current company didn’t value you and your work, they wouldn’t have offered you a promotion.

If you want to grow in your career, I’d suggest letting your current company know that you were offered more money for less responsibilities at the competitors company. Sounds like they already know you’ve been bored so it shouldn’t surprise them that you were exploring your options. By telling thiem about the competitors offer they may increase the salary that they initially offered you.

If you take the role with a better title and responsibilities, you can always go back to a lower role and reduction in pay. However, it’s not always easy or timely to move up.

If you decide to stay with your current company, i don’t think the competitor would blame you if they said that you decided to stay after the existing company offered you a leadership role and a bump in salary. In fact that may make them want you even more if they know that your existing company values you enough to keep you.

Whatever you decide to do, keep communication open with both companies and don’t burn bridges. You may want to reach back out to ether in the future if looking for something different down the road.
 

West.mass.hunter

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Mar 8, 2020
Messages
129
I had the opportunity to move up to management within my company a few years ago. I ultimately turned it down and am very happy with my decision. After talking with some guys in management that I consider friends, knowing they would give it to me straight not one of them could recommend me moving into management as they all regretted making the same move I was offered. If you have the option to do so, I would talk to others that would be at your level
 
OP
Elite

Elite

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Joined
Sep 4, 2018
Messages
1,084
Thanks for all the great replies everyone! Definitely appreciated,

Here is some reasons I have came up with on why I chose the leadership role,

I have worked hard for several years for the current employer and know where I stand in the company

It’s harder to get a promotion to a leadership position vs stepping down to a worker be position

It’s one of the main things missing from my career resume. I feel like have a leadership role with my current employer looks ever better for potential future job opportunities

If I absolutely hate it I am confident I could find a job like the one I am turning down if needed fairly easily

I have gotten bored in previous jobs but at the same time it aloud my brain to focus on hunting and my hobbies…..


Any advice on my reasons?


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