Why career success doesn't always mean fulfillment
Markers of success can reduce dissatisfaction, but aren’t enough to drive satisfaction
Just because something is easy to measure doesn’t mean it’s all that counts.
In our professional lives, markers of success are often simple to track: the promotion, the money, the corner office.
But is this really what gives our work meaning?
Consider the experience of your fellow Career River navigator Madalina Ciobanu:
“I have come to better understand that, for me, the typical career ladder would perhaps force me to take on jobs or types of roles that focus too much on things that only deplete me of energy. And that focus too little on what gives me energy, or on things that I want to learn in order to develop.”
In “How Will You Measure Your Life?” Harvard professor Clayton Christensen explains research that has found that external markers will reduce job dissatisfaction, but on their own do not create job satisfaction.
The two-factor theory by Frederick Herzberg found that while extrinsic motivators (like salary) are important for employees, they will only reduce dissatisfaction, not increase job satisfaction. In other words, these “hygiene factors” can’t make you fulfilled, only not unhappy.
So what does lead to professional fulfillment? Herzberg called these motivation factors: the intrinsic reasons we appreciate a role, such as the opportunities to grow or the recognition or challenge of the work.
When navigating your river, beware the trap of only pursuing extrinsic markers of success. Instead, when faced with decisions on where to go, Christensen recommends asking yourself the following questions:
"Is this work meaningful to me?
“Is this job going to give me a chance to develop?
“Am I going to learn new things?
“Will I have an opportunity for recognition and achievement?
“Am I going to be given responsibility?"
You may want to pay attention to the balance of hygiene and motivational factors in your role (or if you’re a manager, in the roles of your direct reports). Markers of success will only get you so far. Look for the intrinsic rewards that will have you searching for more.
Happy navigating,
Bridget