If you like your job but don’t want your bosses’ job

[Anonymous]

I love my job. My boss said she will retire in 3 years. I know they would like to groom me for her position, but I see it as a grind with overtime and emergency management. I am 41. Most people work at my org forever (similar to government). Benefits are good. Raise is ~3% plus bonus under $10k.

Is it crazy to look for a different job now if I like my job? Should I be looking somewhere that I would like the job less but has more longevity (due to my age)? I’ve never worked for a corporation - would I hate it?

[Anonymous]

Bump

[Anonymous]

You might do her job differently than she does, and make it work for you. I’ve seen managers find a decent work life balance because they are good at motivating and supporting their staff, and can delegate to them very effectively. If that’s you, maybe you would like it.

[Anonymous]

You're 41. Can you really see yourself chilling in the same job for the next 20 years? If not, it's the right time to move while you're still young enough to make the jump and do something new.

[Anonymous]

I left my most recent job because I knew that I didn’t want my boss’ job. Took me a few years in the organization of careful observation for me to fully understand that - and leaving was the right choice because I also didn’t want to work for someone else (by staying in the deputy job).

That said, don’t make any decisions until you have a clear timeline. The last THREE jobs I took it was because the boss was looking to leave and wanted to groom a replacement. The current situation is the only one where the timeline actually panned out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I left my most recent job because I knew that I didn’t want my boss’ job. Took me a few years in the organization of careful observation for me to fully understand that - and leaving was the right choice because I also didn’t want to work for someone else (by staying in the deputy job).

That said, don’t make any decisions until you have a clear timeline. The last THREE jobs I took it was because the boss was looking to leave and wanted to groom a replacement. The current situation is the only one where the timeline actually panned out.

OP - I’ve been at my current job a few months under 2 years. It will be hard to replace me, and I like all my coworkers. I also see the writing on the wall. For the previous poster who said if my boss is gone, things will change, I don’t think that’s true because the CEO will remain the same. I’ve already been told to stay in my lane when I recommend improvements. If I stay longer I worry it’ll be hard for a replacement to be groomed. If I leave, I don’t know if I’ll get paid better, but I may have better with life balance.

[Anonymous]

I am in a similar position.

I just make it clear that I do not want my boss's job. I do my job well. I do some additional responsibilities well.

The reasons I don't want my boss's job are:
- it requires more face time and time in general and I like my current schedule and WFH balance
- there are not adequate resources/support for this job to be done well and I've seen my boss who I really respect flounder and suffer and be perceived as ineffective because of this. I want to be in a role where I can be effective and do a good job, which in my current role I do.
- there is not enough of a pay difference to make it worthwhile, and TBH my spouse makes 6x my salary so it's just not ever going to be worth it to my family or me personally to sacrifice fulfillment and QOL for a job (I don't share this part but I think people know it's true)

In time I suppose my thinking may change, but for now no way unless they can let me keep my schedule and provide more support.

Everyone knows this. It's a real bind because there's really no one else to do it.