A public sector leader I spoke to recently shared feeling disconnected, disillusioned and drained.
They had been climbing the career ladder. They’d worked hard to earn their place. But instead of feeling proud and satisfied, they wondered:
“Is this even the ladder I want to be climbing?”
“My colleague and I are close to burnout. We basically take turns taking leave, giving each other a moment of relief. But it’s not sustainable longer term.”
From the outside, the next step is obvious: another promotion, more responsibility, more impact, more status. But something in them hesitates. They’re no longer sure they want to.
But in the current political and economic climate, with lots of uncertainty, they feel they should.
If this sounds like you, this episode is for you.
Listen in to find out whether you actually want a promotion… or a different life?
Public Sector Leaders Feel The Tension
The leader I told you about is in a role they’ve always wanted. Their organisation is tackling important issues for their country. They feel supported and valued by their colleagues.
But the work itself does not excite them anymore. And the environment is draining them.
The team has been carrying several vacancies for months. What’s more, the goalposts keep shifting. Long-term work streams are being shelved at the last minute or put on hold until an upcoming election.
They’ve had to pick up politically more urgent tasks and, of course, continue to deliver on business as usual, day-to-day work.
On top of that there’s another restructure on the horizon.
At this stage in their career, it seems like the question is NOT anymore about: “Can I move up?”
It’s: “Do I still WANT what moving up gives me?”
Because a promotion usually means: More hours in meetings. Less time for your loved ones and the people you care about, and the things that matter to you outside work.
And if something else in your life is already asking for more space – your health, your relationships, your energy – then the next step up can move you further AWAY from what you actually need.
Many public sector leaders have built their identity around being a striver: You set goals. You achieve them. You keep growing. That’s what got you here.
But there comes a point where growth doesn’t look like this any more.
It looks different:
More alignment with your values and what matters most to you now.
More life outside of work.
More meaning.
And that can feel confusing.Because the old definition of success still sits there, saying: “Keep going. This is what success looks like.” And that’s what you see everyone else around you doing. Or that’s your assumption at least.
While another part of you is asking:
“But why does it feel pointless?”
“Why do I feel empty?”
“Is this really what I want now?”
There’s often an unspoken assumption: If you don’t want a promotion, you’re losing ambition. But that’s not necessarily true.
You might not be less ambitious. You might just be re-allocating your ambition.
From:
Status → Meaning
Progression → Alignment
Achievement → Quality of life
And that’s a very different kind of growth!
I can hear you asking: “But what does this look like in practice?”
Well, you might notice:
You’re less motivated by titles or hierarchy.
You’re thinking more about how you want to spend your time, what kind of an environment you want to be working in, and how you want to live.
You’re questioning whether the usual next logical step is actually YOUR step.
And that’s not a problem that needs fixing. It’s a signal for you to pay attention to.
I invite you to ask yourself:
- What do I want my life to look like in a year from now? What about in the next 2-5 years? Or 6–10 years?
- And does the next promotion move me closer to that – or further away?
What do you notice when you answer those questions?
This is actually not about rejecting progression. But about realising that you get to choose what progression means for you.
Maybe it’s a different role, a different environment, or a different way of working altogether.
The key is that you are intentional about it.
Sometimes the bravest move isn’t climbing higher. It’s pausing and checking in with yourself whether you’re climbing in the direction that’s right for you at this point in your life.
Until next time: make space, rediscover YOU, and then take action.