Declining Managment Position

I have a co-worker who has been in a team lead position for nearly 3 years. In his current job, he seems very comfortable. He can more or less go as he pleases, doesn't have to work long hours, and he can lean on his subordinates for help when he needs it. After talking to him, he indicated that management wants him to step up into a mid level management position. He indicated that he was open to the idea, but he would require additional compensation in order to take the job. In addition, he mentioned that he doesn't want to be stuck working a exempt position, 12 hour a day job, tied to a blackberry. Currently, mangement doesn't have additional money to compensate him with, and has asked if he could work around it for the time being.

His current situation got me to thinking, is there a right way to decline a promotion from a technical position to management type position?

Find more posts tagged with

Free for TechExams community: Cybersecurity salary guide

Compare cert salaries and plan your next career move

Button

Comments

NinjaBoy

Just be honest (whether or not you're blunt at the same time is dependent on your relationship and the type of people in the organisation)

NetworkVeteran

is there a right way to decline a promotion from a technical position to management type position?

A simple "No, thank you." suffices. Perhaps, "I appreciate your consideration, but I prefer a more technical career path." I know quite a few engineers who've rejected management roles. It's not all that uncommon.

zrockstar

NetworkVeteran wrote: »

It's not all that uncommon.

^Truth. There is a great chance when promoting a technician to management that you are going to: A) lose a good technician, and

gain an inept manager. Let's face it, some super technical guys aren't the best communicators and team workers, so it is not uncommon at all in IT for a tech to want to stay a tech.

Mishra

If they are wanting to promote you, you usually are in a good spot and can clearly communicate something you don't want.

For anyone who does this, just be aware that you are probably closing that door forever with that current company.

colemic

bryguy wrote: »

I have a co-worker who has been in a team lead position for nearly 3 years. In his current job, he seems very comfortable. He can more or less go as he pleases, doesn't have to work long hours, and he can lean on his subordinates for help when he needs it. After talking to him, he indicated that management wants him to step up into a mid level management position. He indicated that he was open to the idea, but he would require additional compensation in order to take the job. In addition, he mentioned that he doesn't want to be stuck working a exempt position, 12 hour a day job, tied to a blackberry. Currently, mangement doesn't have additional money to compensate him with, and has asked if he could work around it for the time being.

His current situation got me to thinking, is there a right way to decline a promotion from a technical position to management type position?

If it were me... that promise would have to be in writing with a date tied to it to kick in.

Soliton

Most people are usually scared to say no, or even asking for a raise. They think that they will get fired or something. Not the case (well sometimes it is).

The best thing is to always be up front and do what you have to. Best thing to say is simply, "I really appreciate the opportunity, but I really like my current position, and feel that Management wouldn't be something that I would enjoy doing". More responsibilities = More Money, if they want can't pay you, then it's not worth it, unless there is a salary increase in sight.

bryguy

Very insightful. From my own perspective, I've always answered the call when asked to step up... It never really occured to me that I could say "Thanks, but not thanks." It sounds as though my team lead made the right call going with the direct approach. Another concern, I'd imagine, is that he'd lose his skillset in a management position. I think, sometimes what mangement fails to realize, is that IT skills are almost like a foreign language- it's "use it or lose it" prospect. If you jump into a management role, your IT skills are sure to errode. I'm sure that was a likely concern of my team lead as well.

Soliton

bryguy wrote: »

Very insightful. From my own perspective, I've always answered the call when asked to step up... It never really occured to me that I could say "Thanks, but not thanks." It sounds as though my team lead made the right call going with the direct approach. Another concern, I'd imagine, is that he'd lose his skillset in a management position. I think, sometimes what management fails to realize, is that IT skills are almost like a foreign language- it's "use it or lose it" prospect. If you jump into a management role, your IT skills are sure to errode. I'm sure that was a likely concern of my team lead as well.

Pretty much. Going into management almost always results in you not doing any of the hands-on work. So unless there is a re-negotiation of my compensation, no go for me.