On experience, ambition and appreciation for what you do.
In the IT world, we often talk about progress. New technologies, new challenges, opportunities for advancement and the next step in your career. These are words we regularly encounter in job adverts and conversations about work. Of course, there is nothing wrong with that. Learning, staying curious and developing yourself are all part of a rewarding career.
But I sometimes wonder whether we take it too much for granted that everyone always wants more. A different position. More responsibility. A leadership role. A new challenge. What if, after ten or fifteen years of experience, someone simply enjoys doing what they are good at? What if someone is happy with their work, their colleagues and the responsibilities they have today? Does that make them less ambitious?
Knowing what you want has value too
At the start of your career, you are often still finding your way. You discover which technologies interest you, which assignments suit you and what kind of environment you prefer to work in. After a few years, that can change.
You have been through different projects. You know what gives you energy and what you would rather avoid. You have experienced how important good collaboration, trust and clear agreements can be. And perhaps you reach a point where you think: actually, I am happy where I am. I think that is something we could appreciate a little more.
Because being satisfied with your work does not mean you have lost interest in new developments. It does not mean you are less committed either. Sometimes you simply have a better understanding of what suits you.
Not everyone wants a leadership role
Think of someone who has been developing software for years and still enjoys it. Or a functional analyst who likes exploring complex questions and finding solutions together with colleagues. A tester who carefully watches over quality. Or someone working in infrastructure or security who mainly enjoys solving technical problems. Why should we expect all those people to eventually want a different role?
Not everyone dreams of leading a team or taking on a management position. Some professionals want to deepen their expertise. Others enjoy sharing knowledge, solving problems or simply being part of a good team. There is just as much value in that.
Experience does not always have to lead to a new job title. You can also grow by getting better at what you enjoy doing.
Stability can be a conscious choice
The word stability may sound a little less exciting than innovation or challenge. Yet I think we underestimate how important it can be to people. Knowing where you stand.
Working with colleagues you trust. Having the space to do your job well. Not constantly having to prove your worth all over again. Those are not unreasonable expectations. And what matters to someone can change over the years.
Perhaps at one point you want to focus fully on advancing your career and taking on new responsibilities. And perhaps later you need more calm, flexibility or a better balance between work and everything outside it. Or perhaps it is the other way round. There is no fixed point at which someone is supposed to become more or less ambitious. Everyone makes their own choices.
As far as I am concerned, those choices deserve equal respect.
Appreciation often lies in everyday things
Conversations about work often focus on salary, benefits, interesting projects and flexibility. All important. But appreciation also lies in small, everyday things. Being listened to, having your opinion count and being trusted to do your job well.
In IT teams, a lot of valuable work also happens behind the scenes. Think of colleagues who spot problems early, share their knowledge or bring calm when a project gets difficult. That effort is not always visible or measurable, but it deserves recognition. Even when someone has no ambition to move up.
Are we asking the right questions?
In my role in talent acquisition and sales support, I find it important to understand what someone is really looking for in a job. Of course, we look at technical knowledge, experience and the expectations of both the candidate and the organisation. But motivation goes beyond asking where someone wants to be in five years.
Perhaps a better question would be: "What would make you still enjoy your work five years from now?"
For one person, that means continuing to learn or taking on new challenges. For another, it means good colleagues, autonomy or stability. The better we understand what matters to someone, the greater the chance of a working relationship that continues to feel right in the long term.
Simply enjoying your work
I certainly do not mean to say that career progression is unimportant. Some people still feel like doing something completely different after twenty years of experience. They want to lead, discover a new technology or start learning something from scratch. And why not?
But I think it is just as valuable when someone consciously chooses to keep doing what they are good at. To keep putting their expertise to use. To be a reliable colleague. To find satisfaction in their everyday work. We do not all have to follow the same career path. And we do not constantly have to take another step to show that we are motivated. Sometimes the answer to the question of what someone still wants to achieve professionally is surprisingly simple: "I enjoy my work. And I would like to keep it that way."
Actually, I think that is a lovely answer.