Choose progress over progression

When someone is looking for a new job, their first thought is typically that it needs to be a step forward in some way. Better pay, better title, more responsibility, more ownership, clearer path to senior leadership. This is essentially the realm of early-to-mid career professionals who want to establish themselves and increase earning potential, but it's a mindset that sticks. Even later in one's career, people are often looking to get ahead when exploring new opportunities (especially when it comes to pay). This is the 'progression' mentality.

'Progress,' on the other hand, is ultimately dependent on context. It has little to do with pay, promotions, or titles, but rather with overcoming some form of struggle or misalignment at work.

Maybe you're burned out, sacrificing way too much personal and family time, and starting to feel the loss. In that context, you might take what looks like a 'step back' simply to escape a bad situation and regain control. But with the added time and energy to reflect, regroup, and recover, you'll be in a far better position to challenge yourself and grow later on. That's progress.

Or perhaps your job has shifted over the past few years and you’re no longer in the type of role that you enjoy as much. I just spoke with someone who is seriously considering a job for less pay because it allows them to manage a team and work closely with senior leadership—something they were previously doing but are no longer able to given company layoffs. For this person, progress is all about finding a job that leans into their innate strengths and energy drivers (leadership) in a company that will recognize and reward them for their capabilities as a manager.

When you focus on progress, you can seriously consider opportunities you may be overlooking. You can communicate to a hiring manager why you are a perfect fit, and they too can see why what you're seeking aligns perfectly with what they're looking for.

Ironically, the byproduct of a career focus on 'progress' is often progression. When you know what you need and why, you're more likely to be in environments that bring out your best. And when you're bringing your best, people notice. You add more value. You get promoted. You get raises. You are given opportunities to grow that never would have materialized if you were just trying to get a fancy title or pay package.

Progress—that's where it's at.