Promotions are supposed to feel like wins — proof you’re doing something right, climbing the ladder, making progress. That’s the story we’re told. But sometimes, the higher you climb, the more disconnected you feel. From yourself. From what you’re good at. From what you actually want.
I learned that the hard way.
Many, many years ago, I was promoted from Business Development Representative (BDR) to Account Executive (AE) after just 10 months.
I was excited. It felt like the logical next step. I thought I was ready.
But once I got into the AE role, something shifted. The pressure was relentless. My territory was three time zones ahead. I was constantly behind, chasing targets I never hit. I felt like I was drowning: stressed, tired, and no longer learning anything. Just surviving.
Then my old SDR manager called and asked if I wanted to come back. I didn’t hesitate.
On paper, it looked like a demotion. But stepping back gave me something I’d lost: control. It gave me room to breathe, to rebuild confidence, to get good again at the work I loved. It wasn’t a step back — it was a reset.
And I’m grateful for that opportunity. The company didn’t try to squeeze me dry or “manage me out.” They saw where I could thrive and trusted me enough to put me back in a role that played to my strengths. That kind of support isn’t always common — and I’ve never forgotten it.
Fast forward to last year, and I found myself in a similar place, only this time it was much bigger. I went from Country Manager to Team Leader to Regional Director overseeing seven countries. It looked like a rocket ship trajectory. But the higher I went, the further I got from what made me love sales in the first place — real conversations with customers, real ownership of outcomes.
Instead, I was stuck in meetings. Managing people. Navigating office politics. Waiting on others to execute.
Some people thrive in that space. I didn’t. I was miserable.
What I Learned About Growth and Fit
Every role requires different muscles. And knowing which ones you actually enjoy flexing? That’s everything.
As an SDR or BDR, your world is outreach, persistence, rejection. You build grit and hustle. You learn to open doors that feel bolted shut.
As an AE, it’s full-cycle ownership — discovery, demo, close, repeat. You manage your pipeline, your time, and your mindset. You get deep into deals, and when it’s going well, you feel like a machine.
But when you move into leadership, the game changes completely. Your success isn’t tied to what you do anymore — it’s about coaching others, aligning priorities, and navigating layers of company strategy. It requires patience. Political savvy. The ability to influence without always executing.
Some people love that. They were born for it.
But if you’re someone who finds energy in the chase — in making things happen with your own hands — leadership can feel like a slow, grinding drift away from everything you liked about sales in the first place.
Why I Stepped Down — Again
Twice now, I’ve chosen to step down. First from AE back to SDR, and then from Regional Director back into a more direct, hands-on role. Not because I couldn’t hack it — but because I knew I wasn’t in the right place for me.
That’s not failure. That’s clarity.
I know where I thrive. I know what kind of work fills my tank instead of draining it. And that matters more than any title.
A year ago, I changed jobs again — this time into a Projects Director role at a new company. Fewer people. Less responsibility over others. Direct results I can actually see and influence. And for the first time in a long while, it feels like things are clicking. It’s early, but so far, it’s working. I feel like I’m back in my lane — the right mix of ownership, autonomy, and real impact.
We don’t talk about this enough in sales — or in most careers, really. We act like progress only moves in one direction. But sometimes, a “step back” is the smartest, healthiest move you can make.
Because what’s the point of a promotion if you’re miserable doing it?
If you’re in a role that’s slowly wearing you down, ask yourself: is this really where I want to be — or just where I think I should be?
You don’t have to stay on a path that doesn’t fit. You’re allowed to pivot. You’re allowed to protect your energy. You’re allowed to choose the version of success that works for you.
Your career. Your rules. Own your path.
Have you ever made a similar move — or even just thought about it — drop a comment below and share what you learned. What made you change direction? What held you back? Let’s talk about this. It helps all of us make better choices.
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