What If You Don’t Want To Manage People? 5 Ways To Rethink Career Growth

If you’ve been on the internet for the last couple of years, I’m sure you’ve read more than one statement about professional growth and becoming a leader in whatever industry you work in. LinkedIn and Instagram are the perfect platforms to promote this idea of constantly chasing advancement in your career, often at the expense of taking the time to appreciate how far you’ve come. From healthcare to entrepreneurship, the general discourse tends to align more with the “productivity” mindset that has the end goal of earning a promotion. 

While there is nothing wrong with wanting to manage others and seeing this as a measure of success, especially in industries where there is a lack of representation and a greater sense of financial stability in a shaky economy.

“Many (employees) leave because they feel unsupported and underrepresented in their institutions and are unsure of what tools they should use to attain career success,” according to author Chantelle K. Wright in this National Association of Colleges and Employers article. 

But the focus here is different. 

As a woman of color and an immigrant, I’ve learned an important lesson since starting my corporate job: sustaining a career often requires taking a step back to explore diverse pathways and decrease the level of influence of external expectations and perfectionism.

To better understand this, Her Agenda reached out to three career experts for their insights on how women who prioritize autonomy, creativity, or depth can rethink their career growth. This is particularly relevant as more professionals are questioning hustle culture and moving toward sustainable success.

“For some, success isn’t about upward movement but deeper mastery,” said Carly Ferguson, a leadership coach and Human Design expert helping professionals quit pretending and lead authentically in their careers, their teams, and themselves. “Embracing your natural strengths (like problem-solving, intuition, or emotional intelligence) can create growth paths in mentoring, consulting, or thought leadership roles.”

“Not everyone is wired to lead in the same way,” Carly said. “Human Design shows us that some people are here to guide or inspire rather than manage. Growth might look like becoming a trusted specialist, creative visionary, or strategic advisor – leading through influence, not control. You don’t need direct reports to have an impact. You can lead conversations, shift mindsets, or model a new way of working.” 

“Make the most of your training budget or continuing professional development to support the career you want, not just the role you currently have. This works hand in hand with building expertise,” said Hayley Merrick, a nurse career coach with seven years of experience as an occupational health nurse, where she worked closely with HR teams, and 12 years as a registered nurse in the UK. “When you are intentional about your development, you create opportunities to move into higher-paying or more fulfilling roles. Once you have built experience and expertise, you can begin exploring lead, consultant, or specialist roles.” 

“Taking a more proactive approach can help you access opportunities that are not publicly posted,” Hayley said. “You can attend job fairs or join networking meetings; these actions show initiative and genuine interest. Even if there are no immediate vacancies, building a connection can open doors in the future. If you can communicate your motivation and transferable skills, employers are often willing to provide training to help you step into these roles.” 

“Your career can still thrive by focusing on individual contribution and leadership through results,” said early career expert Jessica Bartnick, founder and CEO of Foundation For CHOICE. “Leading people is different than managing them. This is especially true for high-performing, revenue-generating professionals who operate with a high level of autonomy and drive. In these roles, success is often measured by outcomes, not how many people you supervise.” 

Redefining career growth involves embracing a more holistic and sustainable mindset. Instead of conforming to a narrow definition of success driven by external validation, you can cultivate depth in your expertise, seek energy-aligned leadership opportunities, and strategically utilize resources for continuous development. This can help you achieve not only personal growth but also contribute meaningfully to your industry and community.