The Yin and Yang of Career Choice
What role does passion play in making important career decisions? If the Chinese axiom of Yin and Yang has withstood the test of time through the ages, there may be value in thinking about how we can apply this concept to making good career choices.
Executives are constantly tempted with opportunities to leave their current job and company to become a part of something bigger and better. Often, executives rely on a standard checklist to ensure that when faced with this career decision, they make the right one or at least it would seem on paper. In other words, in a strictly linear world, if the new role offered greater autonomy, an opportunity to grow or turn around a business, or higher compensation, then they should begin to seriously consider leaving their current company. But, is this standard checklist the best way to make a holistic career decision? To be sure, to engage the rational side of the “head” in such matters is necessary. However, to make a balanced decision, the executive should also engage the “heart”.
Assume an executive is deciding between two different career opportunities. Let’s say the executive uses the checklist against both opportunities and both stack up well. How might the executive then differentiate between what apparently are two equally attractive opportunities? Taking the role that pays more is one approach. Arguably, a wiser and more sustainable approach might be to make a balanced decision by engaging both the head and the heart. How is this done?
An Uninspired Choice
Consider this logical sequence. First the head rationally assesses the opportunity by clinically evaluating and considering systemically all the pros and cons, based on a thorough analysis of the industry and the relevant competitive dynamics, etc. Let’s say Opportunity A meets all the criteria in the checklist. The Head then passes the opportunity to the Heart for evaluation. At this point, the Heart can react in either one of two ways. The first reaction is, “Sure, this is OK, if you like it I like, its pretty good” and then sends it back to the Head. The Head figures “Heart says OK, so I guess its OK.” Well, may be. This uninspired exchange forms the basis of career decisions informed by single criterion mindsets based merely on compensation, for instance.
Purposeful Passion
What is an alternative scenario? Head similarly evaluates Opportunity B which also passes the checklist but as soon as the Head sends it to the Heart, Heart goes “WOW!!! This is it! This is what we have been waiting for! This is great! Let’s go!” Head coolly reviews the totality of the opportunity and then settles on this as the right opportunity. Now, we have the semblance of a balanced career choice! The Heart in this case responded to a greater purpose or passion because of the nature or content of the work, or what the new company stands for, or the inherent attractiveness of an industry, and so forth. For many executives, recognizing or developing this passion might take years but worthwhile spending time on. Why? To go through a career without understanding what that greater purpose or drive is, could result in uninspired career choices that lead to less than ideal job satisfaction depriving oneself of achieving what the influential psychologist Abraham Maslow called self-actualization.
For many executives, the practical challenge often is to become more aware of and able to define what one’s passion professionally is so that when a career opportunity arises, the executive is ready and poised to make a balanced decision, and not one that is opportunistic, or short sighted.
TERRY CHUAH
May 25, 2014