Beware of the promotion trap | Glenn Weissinger | TEDxPurdueU 

One of the most important TedTalks. I recently went through this situation, turned down a promotion (didn't feel right) and it ate at me for a couple of weeks, but I stuck with my decision. Today, I come across this great lecture that spoke to me directly. I definitely made the right decision. Be happy. Stay passionate. Do what is right for YOU.

Very smart guy. He said something critical that most people overlook. Your personality type and your career align. I am learning that more each day

Technicians promoted as managers without proper skills, training or even vocation. The untold truth of the industry. Terrible management happens then. Thanks for mentioning that.

Thank you for this. I too see many people with good technical skills be made into directors and the result is horrible. While they are good at the technical work, they are poor at leadership, strategy, people management, etc. I turned down a promotion a few years ago for this reason. I've been embarassed every since. My self-confidence took a nose diive. Hearing your talk restored my faith in the choice I made. So, thanks again.

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I was told that my promotion to a higher rank at the university was turned down because I do not have enough “high-profile” publications despite the fact that my teaching was very good to excellent and my collegial contribution was very good. I realized I am just a number for the university ranking. A friend said that some may have high-profile publications, that no-one reads, but I do high-impact teaching. Thank you for giving this talk. It made me re-think my attitude towards this rejection. Will just go on doing good in the classroom.

I was offered a manager position at a company that I just started. Of course I took the opportunity. But wow, it is emotionally and physically draining. The stress level is just different everyday. The worst thing, it affects me both in and out of work.

I don't want to be rich, I just want to be comfortable. I want a bit of security and the freedom from living paycheck to paycheck, but I don't want to serve a Porsche or a mcmansion

This man is wonderful, humble, and so wise. Love this video

Promotion just means you do more work to "tryout" for a higher position you will never get with no extra money.

I have found that when my success depends on others being successful I’m going to work a lot harder than those I’m supervising. I’d rather be an Indian than a Chief.

I turned down a promotion before watching this video. Everything he mentioned made perfect sense with my decision. "Promotion trap" I never heard of this but I do appreciate your video.

Seek a raise not a promotion, got it

this is so phenomenal and it's on a subject that no one ever talks about. I just went through the same thing recently where in my past I was always excited to get promotion to move up the chain. In my new company the same thing just happened but I was not excited at all and I knew it would be a step backwards. I did not fall for the promotion and I'm continuing being happy where I am just being a hundred percent commission sales rep just being responsible for my own destiny. becoming a manager in the company would have been extremely detrimental to my stress levels and what I brought home everyday.

Funny that I'm discovering this now. I just quit a job that didn't align with my abilities and interests. All of the side effects he described were present, I took it home, my marriage was strained and I felt overwhelmed for the first time in my whole working life, despite my team and I performing at a high level, I wasn't at my personal best and was becoming more cynical. So I left to pursue electrical work, and im a lot happier.

I didn’t get the promotion... and I’m ok with it now.

What a brilliant video and so true to form...personally and professionally speaking I'm actually rather averse to the idea of promotions because I'm always sceptical to how politically charged they tend to be...like, for example, years ago in work an opportunity arose, I put myself forward only to be told "we won't be able to give you this one because X has been here longer than you but there's something coming up in a few months and you'll definitely get that one"...needless to say when the second one came up I declined to be put myself forward because in my mind I prefer to be rewarded based on merit, not because I was "next in line"...so yes, I was expected to go for the second promotion and when I didn't management weren't too happy but I did find a way to still enjoy my work and continue to help others...I trained in new employees and prepared THEM for career advancement...alot did move up ahead of me which was very much o.k. with me and if I may say so myself I really enjoyed helping others find happiness in their careers....so for me, promotion?...no thank you!

He's basically right (especially about building your skillset), however, I'll take it a step further. "Dream jobs" are a fallacy. Corporations exist to make money for their shareholders. They proliferate this fallacy of "dream jobs" to keep people willing to overwork for that cause. The best job is the highest level individual contributor (not manager), where you can do your work, be part of the team and go home with energy to have a healthy family life. If you need money beyond this, you can use your energy outside of work to build wealth. I see very few people who have it all (high stress job, perfect family life, time to pursue passions, happiness etc.).

Great video. I was recently offered a promotional grade position near family on the west coast. I love taking on jobs that challenge me but at the same time I'd like to keep my sanity. I will keep this video in mind the next time I'm offered another promotion.

I had some awesome times being a technician at a semi conductor fab in Austin. The work culture environment makes a huge difference.

I was passed over after all the hard work and lot of people expecting me to get it and I left. Thank God there was an option to go elsewhere. While they now don't know if I am alive or dead, they are pondering and that's interesting.

I turned down a promotion because if the people I'd be working with. It was something I wanted to do, but I knew that the people I was working with were actually not driving me to with harder. So I chose to stay put.

I’ve been chasing my dream and i got side tracked with the idea of being promoted where i work now. i needed to see this. I find it funny that it was recommended for me right now. Either way very helpful

Very very true. He is very wise and wisdom bring humbleness in you I guess. Thank you 🙏

Harsh reality is people need to make money for themselves and their families. And no I'm not talking about ample money, just money to survive. The majority of the world is like this. Most people don't really have a choice to start with.

Reward will be given based on band for an example from executive level to CEO ; so org hr informs you unless change the band the reward won't increase

Thank you for that brief lecture, jobs that match one's passion come more naturally, whilst building the skills toward success takes personal interest when matched well and eventually leading the business to success as well.

My promotion offer requires personality traits that I do not have. However they are traits that I do have a goal on developing. My question is do I accept the offer and hope for the best or accept that my personality does not match the promotion offer.

Great insight and advice.

Great job Glenn! I think we’ve had this conversation before.

And this just further helps me turn down my assignment to Japan. I've been stressed out everyday at work for almost 10 years. Thankful for all the good that's happened with the job but it's time to move on.

This is an important topic that nobody really talked about. For me, I know I resisted the promotion in my own industry in terms of work place. I tried out this kind of position on interim basis and I prefer that way. But on the leadership front, my bulldog self got the best of me. I keep on going for opportunities that have more responsibilities and privileges. I also am extremely involved in my professional industry. It took something outside of my industry to give me a reality check that I have been falling into this kind of promotion trap. What I have really learned is- just because my friends can handle these “promotions”, it doesn’t necessarily apply to me. Also, passion is one thing, ability to follow through such passion is another.

The Peter principle is a concept in management developed by Laurence J. Peter, which observes that people in a hierarchy tend to rise to "a level of respective incompetence"

now I'm even more depressed about not getting a promotion at my lousy job.

Easy for this guy to say it’s ok not to accept a promotion. He still did quite well in his field. He cannot relate. I have been in my field for 20 years. I am being Breadcrumbed at my new job of 1 year. From the beginning I was told I was in the running. Then 2 months ago I was told we had to hire 2 more guys before my work would open up the position. This time my boss told me he wanted me as the boss. This week I asked about the promotion. All I got was a long story of the time is not right and I need more training etc. I told my boss I refuse to take charge unless I was promoted. I will still will work hard. Usually by 45. In my field you are a foreman or manager. I am not ok with it.

Thank you for this message.

This was so helpful. Thank you!

I got promoted, and I regret it. More money, but I work 11 to 12 hours a day. While regular employees work 8 hours a day. Stressed.

Thank you very much ❤️ love it!

damn i already signed the paper and sold every 9 & 1/2 hours of my life. then come my regrets.

8 years and not even 150k view. That's a big problem in business world.

So the message is we should just settle for the lower end low paying job?

😭 i just committed to supervising 3 departments today. Two of which i was a lead employee of but the third one is something i know nothing about at all smh. Better pay but 10X the stress. Should i follow through or back out? My inner self always tells me to go for it as i have but idk about this one

Great talk!

Meh. What you should do instead of identifying your dream and following that blatantly unreal notion is by sticking to the mundane. Ask yourself, what could I do that I'd at least not hate and that I could do day, after day, after day, after day, after day, after day, after day? Do that.

thankyou sir

Great Talk!

Than you 🙏🏻

Identify your dream job Attributes Right for you? Critically examine promotion

This video is helpful for many 🥳🥳 but I am in right organization now 😊.. it happened to me in my previous job...

Took me a second to realize that's not a vape pen in his hand 😂

My direct boss warned me that my overall boss wants to bring me into sales. (I'm in research and data and I've been with the company for 4 years) I DO NOT want to ever be in sales and I'm worried denying the opportunity will appear ungrateful or disappoint my bosses. How do I deny a position within the team that I've worked for over the course of 4 years?

10/10

This is absolutely hogwash If you want to chase your dream do it you work 9-5 judging by this being an office job not retail never the less being promoted wont hinder your dream manage your time and you will be fine denying a promotion isnt a golden ticket to you being successful and rich from your dreams Dreams are just that dreams you will never attain it if you dont have the skills only deny a promotion if your income from your dream overtakes the income from the promoted position and by over take I mean stable as heck and you can buy a new car atleast with it this shows financial stability if that's the case then go ahead chase your dream I cant believe that promotion doesnt make people happy

Cool guy

Not gonna even lie to you. Im taking this with a grain of salt. And im seeing a lot of excuses in the comment section...but you didnt hear that from me

I would NOT let him manage my suit size. My opinion

Why so much talking? Just say it.

I call BS !!! My opinion

This talk puts you to sleep