I was brought up in a traditional family. From a young age, my parents instilled a clear roadmap to success: study hard, get into a good university, land a stable job, climb the corporate ladder, and—if everything goes well—become a leader, maybe even a CEO. That was the dream. Their dream. And for many years, it became mine too.
I did everything by the book. I studied, worked hard, got promoted, and eventually found myself sitting at the senior level of a well-respected business. By all external measures, I was “successful.” But something felt off.
I remember sitting in a boardroom one day, surrounded by well-dressed people talking passionately about governance, government relationships, frameworks, and policies. Everyone was nodding and contributing all the “right things,” and yet… I felt nothing. In fact, I was struggling to stay awake while reading another thick stack of corporate documents that, in my mind, didn’t actually add value to the business—and nothing will be done after these meetings.
That moment forced me to ask some uncomfortable questions:
Why am I here? Why am I doing work I don’t enjoy, just to fulfill a version of success that may not even be mine anymore? Was I still trying to make my parents proud? Was I just chasing a title to feel accomplished?
And then a new idea struck me: What if I didn’t need a big title to feel successful? What if I could make a living—maybe even a great one—doing something I actually enjoyed? Or what if I didn’t have to “work” in the traditional sense at all?
Do You Really Need to Climb the Corporate Ladder?
The phrase “climbing the corporate ladder” has been drilled into our heads for decades. Promotions, corner offices, fancier titles—they’re seen as signs of success. But is rising through the ranks always the right path? And more importantly: who decided that success looks like this in the first place?
The Corporate Ladder Isn’t for Everyone
For many employees, chasing promotions can feel like the natural next step. After all, if you’re not moving up, are you moving at all? But climbing the ladder often comes with trade-offs: more responsibility, longer hours, increased stress, and sometimes, less of the life you’re working so hard to enjoy.
Not everyone wants to be a manager, a director, or a VP. Some people genuinely enjoy doing what they do without the pressure of leading teams or navigating office politics. And that’s okay.
Is a Higher Position Always Better?
A title can bring prestige, but it doesn’t guarantee happiness or even higher income in all cases. Plenty of people step into management and discover they miss the hands-on work they used to do. Others find that with more power comes… a lot more meetings.
Sometimes, the pursuit of status can distract us from what really matters: meaningful work, personal growth, flexibility, peace of mind, or time with loved ones.
So, What’s the Purpose of Work?
For some, work is a calling—a way to make a difference. For others, it’s a means to an end: earn money, pay bills, and enjoy life. Neither is wrong.
If your goal is to make a good living and have a good life, then you might not need a lofty title at all. There are freelancers, entrepreneurs, creators, and specialists earning more than some executives—and doing it on their own terms. Some people find success outside the corporate world entirely. Others make enough to support a lifestyle they love, without ever setting foot in a boardroom.
You Might Not Even Need to “Work” in the Traditional Sense
We live in a time when the definition of “work” is changing. Remote jobs, gig platforms, digital products, passive income—there are more options than ever before. For some, “work” means building something once and letting it earn money over time. For others, it means turning a hobby into a business. You might even find yourself in a situation where your investments or side hustle bring in enough income to let you work less—or not at all.
Choose Your Version of Success
The real question isn’t whether you should climb the corporate ladder. It’s whether you’re living your version of success—or someone else’s.
If you love the corporate world and dream of leading a team, go for it. But if you’re content without the title, or find more joy and freedom in an alternative path, that’s just as valid.
In the end, the goal isn’t to climb higher—it’s to feel fulfilled. And that doesn’t always come with a job title.
LYVIX 