Sparking Leadership #13: Is your next career step in leadership OUT instead of UP?

Ah, summer. For many, it's a time for sandy toes, slightly more relaxed schedules, and... quiet reflection on their #career path. While your team might be dreaming of promotions or new projects, as a leader, you might be looking at your own trajectory and wondering: what's next for me?

🥹 Always the mentor, never the mentee

It’s an unspoken truth in leadership: you often feel the immense pressure to always have the answers, develop #growth plans for everyone else while at the same time, find time to expand your expertise and competencies on your own.

Gallup’s 2024 research showed that manager engagement fell significantly to 27%, and 56% of leaders reported hitting #burnout last year. These are signals that many leaders are grappling with feeling stuck, overworked, and without a clear personal development path.

🔀The Leader's Crossroads: more than just a job change

👉 It's lonely at the top: Who's coaching your next move? Who's crafting your development plan when you're at the top of the pyramid? It can feel isolating to navigate personal growth without a clear path or dedicated mentor yourself.

👉 Hitting the ceiling: Perhaps you’ve mastered your current challenge, the scope isn't expanding, or the company's vision no longer aligns with your personal ambition. You need a bigger playground, a different puzzle.

👉 Bigger is better: A new challenge, a larger company, a more significant compensation package, a fancier title - these pulls are powerful.

👉 The guilt trip: And then there’s the team. The projects. The legacy you're building. The guilt of "leaving them behind" can be a heavy emotional weight, making the decision agonizing.

So, how do you make an informed decision, cut through the emotional noise, and hit the right balance?

✅ Brutal self-reflection: What do you REALLY want? Beyond "more money" or "bigger title," what specific challenge do you find fulfilling? What kind of #culture truly energizes you? Are you seeking more autonomy, mastery, or purpose (remember Daniel Pink)? Be honest with yourself.

✅ Exhaust your internal options: Before looking outward, have you truly explored every internal avenue? You have already invested so much into becoming the leader that you are and building your influence so, maybe there are still some unexplored paths left.

✅ Find your own coach: Seek out an executive #coach, a trusted peer from outside your organization, or a mentor who can offer objective advice without internal biases.

✅ Lead your transition: If you decide to move on, do it ethically and intentionally. Prioritize robust succession planning, ensure a smooth handover of projects, and openly communicate with your team about the transition. Your final act of leadership is often how you leave.

---

🌟Sparking Leadership is a weekly series on human-centered, sustainable

#leadership. Follow for real talk and practical tools. In the meantime, lead with spark!