Climb the corporate ladder? No, thank you

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“Take a more proactive stance and persuade them why it’s a good idea and how you can add value to the company,” Kelley says. Maybe point out how a former colleague moved up through the ranks and it turned out to be bad for everyone involved. (Be careful not to overly bash a co-worker because no one likes a back-stabber.)

And don’t forget about molding a management job in the shape you want, Kelley advises. If you want to be home by at a decent hour every night, bring that up when you’re exploring the possibility of taking a promotion.

Here’s what to keep in mind when you approach your boss with a no thanks, says Bonnie D. Monych, author of “Shift Happens!” Straight Talk about Jobs, Work and Careers.”

Communicate with your employer based upon their perspective not yours. “What is most important for my employer?”
Make sure to say, “I’m flattered” and be thankful.
Point out the two or three things you are doing now in your job to contribute to the betterment of the company and how you can do more in your present position.
Remember to say you are willing to help in any way you can, and you are definitely open to taking on additional work if needed.

Here’s a possible conversation: “I love what I’m doing now and feel I have a lot still to contribute in my present position. I may be open to a managerial role down the line, but right now the timing isn’t right. I’m definitely willing to help the organization out in any way that I can, possibly taking on more responsibility or helping to support whomever you put in that position.”

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And never, ever say, “I’m not ready”, or “I can’t handle the job”, Monych stresses. “They’ll think they misjudged you and start to think you don’t feel as confident or capable as they thought you were.”

Marjorie Brody, author of “Career Magic: A Women’s Guide to Reward & Recognition,” has found that typically you can say “no” the first time and it’s accepted; a “no” the second time starts to give you a reputation as someone that doesn’t want to advance; and by the third time you’re probably asking for trouble.

“In large corporate environments you get sucked into all the atmosphere of 'get a head, get ahead, promote, promote.' You’re measured by money, status and we get caught up in that. When in fact you have to figure out what you want in your life.”

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So did Megan end up adrift in the corporate sea of career abyss? Not at all. After talking to a consultant at the hospital who had held the marketing manager’s job in the past, she realized that her bosses would not penalize her for bypassing a promotion in order to learn the ropes.

Indeed, when the post was vacated late last year, she approached her manager and asked if she could throw her hat in the ring. “I felt I had all the tools I needed at that point and I would be happy in the job,” she notes.

Say hello to Megan the new marketing manager.

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