When Climbing the Ladder Isn’t the Goal: Rethinking Development Goals and Career Growth

The Pressure to Advance

It’s that time again, mid-year performance reviews.

Cue the usual question:

“Are you making progress on your development goal?”

You know, that checkbox goal you had to set alongside your performance goals. The one that’s supposed to help you "advance professionally," or “get to the next level.”

Lately, I’ve been giving my clients permission to rethink those traditional career development goals.  (Yes, I know—some leaders might gasp at that.)

But here’s the truth:

Most professional development goals are built around the company’s expectations, not your personal aspirations or career success on your own terms.

If you don’t want to move up, people assume something’s wrong with you, right?
You get labeled. Sidelined. Whispered about:

“She doesn’t want to be promoted?” Gasp.

But I’m not a manager anymore. I’m a coach. And what I care about isn’t just career growth, it’s my client's whole life satisfaction.

Of course…

Growth and achievement matters. Especially for ambitious, driven women navigating midlife career change. But let’s stop pretending that all growth must happen in the workplace.

Debunking the “Career Advancement” Myth

Not everyone wants to climb. And that’s okay.

It takes emotional intelligence to know when you don’t.

And if that’s you?

I just want to say, that’s brave. 

It speaks volumes about your self-awareness and understanding of what truly brings you fulfillment.

Because let’s be honest:

• Sometimes, the next level is filled with tasks you dread.
  
• Or it pulls you away from the work you actually love.
  
• Maybe that shiny promotion means managing people, which you never asked for.

And then there’s the corporate politics:
The egos. The hidden agendas. The power plays.

For many women, climbing drains more than it fulfills.

And if you’re wondering: Can I still grow if I’m not moving up?
The answer is yes.

You can be deeply effective, respected, and satisfied without leading a team or chasing the next rung.

True career satisfaction doesn’t come from a title, it comes from alignment with your values and your life.

What If Growth Isn’t at Work?

Here’s something I remind my clients:

Career growth and personal development are essential, but they don’t always have to come from your job title.

Personally, I brought my passion for coaching into the workplace.

I led our women’s group for five years—
Creating workshops, writing content, finding my voice.

It didn’t just light me up, it got me noticed.
When new opportunities came around, people thought of me, not because I was chasing a title, but because I was showing up in alignment.

One of my clients recently asked:

“Should I go to the next level?”

She’s been in the same role for years, …And feels like she should be doing more.

So we explored:

• Where do you feel most alive?
  
• What impact do you want to have, at work or outside it?
  

For her, the answer wasn’t “move up.”

So, I reminded her: it’s okay to find purpose elsewhere.

Whether it’s:

• Coaching your kids’ teams
• Launching a small business, 
• Learning something new
• Or just reclaiming joy

Those are worthy goals too.

There is no single right path. You can grow at work, outside of work, or both. 

What matters is that the path feels aligned with your authentic self.

The Courage to Choose Your Own Path

So as your mid-year review approaches, press pause.

Ask yourself:

• What does real growth look like for me right now? Am I pursuing it?
  
• Does my development goal reflect my values, or just the company’s agenda?
  
• Where do I actually want to evolve, stretch, and come alive this year?

You get to decide that.
You get to redefine success and create your own version of career fulfillment.
You get to be the author of your own path, no promotion required.

And if you need a space to explore those questions, that’s exactly what coaching is for. Reach out. I’m here to help you rewrite the script in a way that honors your truth.

Are You Ready to Create a Career that Truly Fits You?

If you're craving something more meaningful, but not sure what that looks like yet, coaching can help you get clear, confident, and aligned.

Here’s what a coach can help you with:

• Clarify what real growth looks like for you right now
• Discover what truly lights you up—at work or beyond it
• Rewrite your career story without chasing a title you don’t want
• Uncover what’s holding you back—and how to move forward with ease

You don’t have to figure it all out alone.
You deserve a career (and life) that reflects your values, not someone else’s checklist.

Click here to reach out for a FREE Clarity call with Janet today!