How I Learned to Make Difficult Career Decisions
“Sometimes you make the right decision, sometimes you make the decision right.” – Phil McGraw
Dear Mentee,
I remember the first time I faced a major career crossroads in banking. I was a young banker with a promising future at a multinational bank when I was offered a position at a smaller regional bank. The new role meant more responsibility and a chance to accelerate my growth, but it also felt risky leaving the familiar path I was on. I was torn – should I play it safe or take a leap into the unknown? That experience taught me invaluable lessons about making tough career choices – lessons I want to share with you now.
Facing Crossroads and Weighing Options
The day I received the offer, my mind raced with what-ifs. It was a difficult decision because both choices had merit. On one hand, staying put offered stability, a clear promotion track, and the comfort of colleagues I knew. On the other hand, the new opportunity promised faster advancement, a broader skill set, and the excitement of building something new. To make sense of it all, I did something that became a habit in my career decision-making: I paused and organized my thoughts on paper.
I drew a simple two-column table of pros and cons for each option. Seeing everything laid out helped me think strategically rather than emotionally. I also reflected on my long-term goals – I asked myself where I wanted to be in five or ten years. At the time, my aspiration was to gain diverse experiences and leadership exposure early on. That clarity made me realize that taking the new role aligned better with my long-term vision, even though it was the tougher choice in the moment.
I won't pretend it was easy. I consulted with a mentor of my own, sought advice from a trusted senior colleague, and even discussed it with my family. They all offered perspectives I hadn’t considered, but in the end, I had to make the call. One mentor said, "Trust yourself to handle whatever comes, because no decision is without risk." Those words gave me the confidence to choose the challenging path.
Practical Strategies for Tough Decisions
Over the years, I've faced many such pivotal decisions – from relocating for a promotion to switching from investment banking to a fintech startup. Each time, these strategies have helped me navigate the uncertainty:
Clarify Your Long-Term Goals: Before you weigh any decision, be clear on your big-picture career aspirations. Do you eventually want to lead a team? Become a subject matter expert in a niche? Understanding your destination helps you evaluate which choice moves you closer to it.
List the Pros, Cons, and Risks: Write down the advantages and disadvantages of each option, including potential risks. Seeing it objectively on paper (or a screen) can bring clarity. Pay attention not just to the quantity of pros/cons, but the weight of each – some factors matter more than others.
Seek Advice, But Own the Decision: Talk to mentors, colleagues, or friends who understand your industry. In banking, someone who’s been through market cycles or corporate changes can offer insight. Listen to their experiences, but remember that you are the one who must live with the choice. Use advice as input, not as instructions.
Consider the Worst-Case Scenario: This might sound pessimistic, but it’s grounding. Ask yourself, "If I choose Option A and it goes poorly, what’s the worst that could happen? Can I handle it?" If you can accept the worst case and still see potential upside, that realization can reduce fear. Often, you'll find the worst-case isn't as catastrophic as our imaginations make it.
Trust Your Values and Instincts: Facts and logic are important, but so are your gut feelings and personal values. If one option feels wrong in your heart (for example, if it conflicts with your integrity or family priorities), give that feeling weight. A career decision should align with who you are, not just what looks good on paper.
Embracing Resilience and Learning
Making tough choices inevitably comes with uncertainty – and sometimes, setbacks. I'll be honest: not every decision I made turned out as expected. That move to the regional bank? It started off rocky. I remember thinking, "Did I make a mistake?" It was a stressful time, but it ultimately taught me about resilience.
Instead of viewing the unexpected change as a failure, I treated it as a chance to learn. I adapted to my new role, found mentors in the merged organization, and gained experience in a different aspect of banking that I wouldn't have otherwise. In retrospect, the decision still paid off – I grew more flexible and proved to myself I could thrive even when things didn't go perfectly. This resilience not only bolstered my confidence but also impressed future employers, who saw that I could handle change and challenge.
The key insight here is that a difficult decision isn't a one-time gamble – it's part of a journey. Even if your choice leads to challenges, you can extract lessons that propel you forward. In banking, careers are long, and one detour won't define you. What will define you is how you respond and adapt.
Keeping Alignment with Your Goals
Whenever you're confronted with a hard choice, bring it back to your long-term goals and values. In one instance, years after that first big move, I had to decide between staying in a high-paying job at an investment bank or joining a new venture that aimed to expand financial access to underserved communities. By then, I knew my passion was not just climbing the corporate ladder, but also making a positive impact. Remembering that helped me choose the venture, aligning my career with my personal mission.
Your path will have its own twists – perhaps deciding whether to specialize in a certain area of banking or to move into a different financial sector. With each crossroad, reflect on what you truly want in the long run. Does this option bring you closer to the professional and life vision you aspire to? If yes, it may be worth the leap; if not, you might reconsider.
And keep in mind, saying "no" to one path often means opening yourself up to excel on the other. When I declined that stable path early in my career, it pushed me to give 110% to the new role I chose. I was determined to make the most of it, precisely because I had taken a risk to be there. That focus and determination became a driving force in my success.
Final Encouragement
Difficult decisions are daunting, but they are also defining moments. They force you to know yourself, to be honest about what you want, and to be brave in pursuing it. Don’t be afraid of making a wrong choice; be afraid of staying stagnant out of fear. Even if a decision doesn’t pan out exactly as hoped, you have the strength to adjust course.
Remember that career growth isn’t always linear. Sometimes, you might step sideways or even backwards to ultimately move forward. Trust that each choice, made with careful thought and courage, will teach you something valuable. In the banking world, where change is constant and competition is high, your ability to navigate tough decisions will set you apart as a resilient, thoughtful leader.
I'm sharing these experiences with you because I have absolute faith in your potential. I’ve seen your dedication and talent firsthand. When the next difficult decision comes your way – and it will – I want you to face it with confidence. You are capable of making the right choice for yourself, and you are capable of turning any outcome into a stepping stone.
Stay bold, stay true to your goals, and never stop learning from every choice you make. I’ll be here cheering you on at every step of your journey.
Sincerely,
Your Mentor