Page 266 - Just Promoted A 12 Month Road Map for Success in Your New Leadership Role

Creating Your New Life Integration 251

THE PERSONAL BASIS OF MOVING UP
Today the composition of the workforce is considerably different than it was
even 20 years ago. One of the most stunning social changes has been the num-
ber of women who have entered the workforce. Women are now half of the
workforce in the United States, and they hold slightly more than half the
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supervisory, managerial, and leadership jobs. In some cases women are now
earning more than their spouses, and the decision about who stays home to
care for the children becomes an economic decision about who has the greater
earning power. The majority of women still bear the major responsibilities for
the care of children even though increasingly men are sharing more of the
responsibility.
Whether a leader is male or female, single or married, or has children or
not, moving up to accept a new leadership position is a major life transition
that spawns events seemingly unrelated to career advancement. Many of the
pleasant and unpleasant by-products of career advancement are, however, pre-
dictable parts of a total life system. Job changes affect many things:

■ Where you live
■ The lifestyle of immediate family members
■ Your community affiliations and activities
■ Your relationship with your spouse
■ Your relationship with your children
■ The amount of time that you spend at work, at home, or with friends
■ Your salary and expenses
■ Your commuting time
■ Available energy and time to maintain your health
■ Your friends, colleagues, or associates
■ Access to your church, synagogue, or religious and spiritual anchors
■ Access to parents, brothers, sisters, or your “roots” in general
■ Free time to vacation or do things you love

There are trade-offs and payoffs to every career decision. Moving up will
challenge you to minimize the disadvantages and maximize the pluses. Your
ability to identify and achieve your desired life integration will be tested and
tested again. The stories of Bob and Linda Doyle and Susan and John Sterling
are good examples.