Beware the Corner Office

One of the times I was in “career transition” (translate as looking for a new job), my sister, always at my side, gave me a book for inspiration entitled “Nice Girls Don't Get the Corner Office: 101 Unconscious Mistakes Women Make That Sabotage Their Careers” by Lois Frankel. 

The author talks about the mistakes that we might inadvertently make as women, such as being unaware of the power of office politics. But I have a different take on the “corner office” issue, which is…

Be careful what you wish for.

Let me tell you a painful personal story: I once got the job of my dreams, and yes, I got the coveted Corner Office. And then I became everyone’s target. You never saw anyone flee that corner office faster than I did. I like to win, and I like to lead, but I did not like being caught in more senior level management crossfire which just so happened to be aimed at the best target around, namely that Corner Office. And what I didn’t realize is that the office politics, swirling around me between the men in the office, was aimed at me in the end. I spoke my mind, and why not? I had opinions and I knew they were good. But what I didn’t realize is that…

Sometimes laying low is a good idea. 

Take a good look at the men (and some women) in that Corner Office and then decide if you really want to be there. If so, get armed and go there. I’ll help you. But if not, then your decision might be that you really don’t want that Corner Office. That’s not sabotage. That’s good decision-making.

What I learned the hard way is that, Corner or Cubicle, find what you have passion for and make the decision that’s best for you. A toxic work environment is not worth that sought-after corner office. You might earn a little less, and you might not, but one thing’s for sure: you might also be happier in the long run. Your choice. 

And by the way, this is a good book; I give it 5 stars for a good read. 

Is the Corner Office for you? Let me know in the comments below, or you can drop me a line to let me know your professional goals.