To find colleague’s zen like contentment inspirational?

[Gratitupe]

I have a colleague, male, in his 40s. He’s married with one child. He’s a solicitor. The firm we work for has four levels of solicitor from Associate to Partner. He’s on the second rung of that ladder, having qualified in his 30s following a career change.

He’s a brilliant lawyer. I mean brilliant. Encouraging to others, a good mentor. Good with clients. He’s clear got what it takes to be promoted.

But he doesn’t want it. He’s been approached several times to put himself forward and says he’d rather not. He likes his job as it is, isn’t interested in the business development or management he would have to do at the next level. He earns more than enough in his current role, doesn’t think the pay increase is worth the extra work.

He has an air of almost zen like contentment about him. It’s got to the point where people who are less experienced and less good are getting promoted around him - and seek him out for guidance in their promoted roles.

It’s inspirational really. AIBU?

Seems very sensible. I do also think that some people like this can afford to be relaxed. Probe deeper and you sometimes find that they have a) family money b) expected inheritance c) high earning partner.

Sometimes, but not always. Me and my DH have 'good' jobs, ie decent pay but not amazing. However we have no kids and we have stayed in our first home - small terrace - so our outgoings are low.
I think some of the comments are missing that you can still develop in a role without progressing. In my role I work with the public and children and I'm always following research or improving my knowledge of working with children with trauma. I feel like there's always something to learn and will be if I stay at this level for ten years. If I went into management I'd no longer be working with the public and instead id be learning employment law and budgets. Sure it would broaden my skills but I have no interest in that, and I'd rather be experienced and competent in my existing role. I don't think I would be a good people manager!

I think it’s working out what you want in life - work/life balance. For me, I need a job that challenges, uses my expertise and provides enough money not to worry about it but…….I’m not chasing a promotion or more money. I have hobbies and interests outside work that I prefer to focus on.

None of that. Single made my own way and made different choices e.g. not having kids and not bothered if I find a partner.

So I have been overpaying my mortgage to be free ASAP putting myself in a stronger position as I get older knowing that if im made redundant, ill health or find it harder to get a job I wont be stressed out since I have noone else to fall back on. I wanted flexibility to drop down my days or change career and not having a mortgage to pay makes that so much easier.

So yes I can afford to not take promotions or move up and be content with what I earn as it affords me a lifestyle where I can still holiday several times a year etc.

I work at a law firm and 100% understand this post. There is always more promotions, more money to be earned but, what comes with that is more stress, less time, a crap work life balance. I am happy as I am but still get pushed and I just push back and say I am happy as I am!

I have none of those things.

I've never come across one!

Not quite the same but a mechanic in a large firm - who is absolutely brilliant. Head mechanic now.

They keep wanting him to do more, be promoted, manage teams etc and he doesnt want to ; it'll take away the time he spends with his hands in the guts of a car which is what he loves.

It’s the capitalist way! God forbid anyone be content.

She’s more than likely delighted that he’s happy in his work and has time to be there for her and the kids.

Really? I know quite a few.

Ds1 (late 20s) works in first line support.
He is very good at it. Top of the leader board for number of tickets processed. Even when he takes time off no one catches him up he’s that far ahead of the others.

He’s had several opportunities for promotion, but it would be a change in his role and he’s not interested.

He enjoys his work, but ultimately sees it as a means to earn money and it does that sufficiently for his needs.

His company like his work ethic in his current role, so he doesn’t get pressure to go for promotion.

Not everyone is cut out for management roles. I had a few years of trying it in my IT job, but it was not a success and I dropped back down to non management role and have also been content. Has it limited my earning potential, sure. But it’s also limited my stress and mental health issues. I’m coming up for retirement soon and have no regrets.