Star performers - how to progress if you don't want to be a manager.

In the world of corporate ladder climbing, there’s often an assumption that career progression inevitably leads to management positions. But what if you don’t aspire to be a manager? Does that mean you can’t achieve your full potential?  

Career progression doesn’t have to mean management if that isn’t the route you want to take. Employers are increasingly recognising that moving their star performers into managerial roles isn’t always the best option for you or them. 

Since the Covid-19 pandemic, businesses have transformed drastically from their traditional processes, they are relying much more heavily on technology and flexible working. As time has moved on, the structure of employee progression has also changed. Progression is no longer linear, as the pandemic forced organisations to adapt to remote work. This shift not only blurred the lines between work and personal life but also challenged the traditional notions of success and progression. Employees began to prioritise flexibility, work-life balance, and personal well-being over traditional markers of career advancement, prompting organisations to rethink their approaches to talent management and career development. As a result, the pandemic has ushered in an era where career progression is increasingly defined by adaptability, resilience, and the ability to thrive in a dynamic, ever-changing work environment. 

What is a star performer 

Do you always deliver your best work on time and in budget? 

Do you excel at tasks your colleagues struggle with?   

Do other employees turn to you for guidance on the best ways to complete tasks?  

Star performers are exceptional individuals known for consistently delivering outstanding results in their area of expertise. They play a pivotal role in any organisation, not only because of their impressive skills but also due to their ability to collaborate with their colleagues, even in the face of shifting circumstances. These star performers have a remarkable capacity to produce significantly higher levels of output than their peers. They shine in dynamic work settings, effortlessly adapting to evolving situations and managing pressure with ease. That’s precisely why they’re called ‘star performers’ – they consistently light up the workplace with their stellar performance.  

The difference between a star performer and a star manager  

In the workplace we often see two kinds of star employee, the star performer and the star manager. Although both excel in their own areas there are considerable differences between these two roles. A star manager is someone who enables others to do their best work, through expert leadership, strategy and coordination of teams. While they may not always be the one directly producing the work, they’re experts in orchestrating and optimising the efforts of the team to maximise utility and productivity. Their strengths lie in their people skills, project management and leadership. 

A difficulty that star performers often face, is that their excellence within their roles leads people to assume that they will naturally become star managers.  But managing others isn’t necessarily something that every star performer wants to, or even has the skills to do. This can be frustrating as they must then divert their attention towards developing others, managing projects and delegating work that they would enjoy doing yourself.  

Sound familiar? Reflect on your career goals and communicate to your manager what success means to you. That way you can ensure that your career progression stays true to your abilities and your employer understands how to best utilise your skills. 

Ways to succeed without going into management 

If you feel that a management role isn’t on your career path here are a few things you can do to become indispensable as a star performer in your role. 

Build your expertise: Deepen your knowledge and skills in your area of expertise. Read and research into various strategies to make your work more efficient. Become the go-to person in your organisation for that specific domain. 

Take a flexible approach to working: Be open to new challenges and tasks outside your comfort zone. A flexible mindset can lead to diverse opportunities. Take advantage of the changing work environment and consider various ways to complete tasks, this builds your arsenal when attacking new problems.  

Become a company strategist: Offer insights and strategies to solve complex organisational problems, positioning yourself as an important asset. Companies with clear, aligned strategies can consistently outperform companies without, this can show the senior positions of your company that you’re extremely desirable to keep on and invest into.  

Become a collaborator: Focus on building relationships and partnerships within and outside your organisation, show that you have great insight and that you’re a desirable member to have within the boardroom.  

Consider the economic outlook: Keep an eye on industry trends and economic forecasts. Position yourself in areas that show growth potential. By taking the proactive approach you create new opportunities for yourself, enhancing your skills and increasing your desirability both internally and externally to competitors.  

Build your personal brand: Invest in your personal development, including communication, leadership, and emotional intelligence skills.  

These skills all provide value to your employer without following the traditional performer to management pipeline. People are increasingly defining what success means on their own terms. You don’t have to follow the traditional path if it’s not for you. Star performers are leveraging their unique skills and attributes to make an impact within their organisations. By focusing on expertise, adaptability, collaboration, and strategic thinking, you can achieve success while staying true to your skills and doing the work that you find satisfying. By focusing on what you do best you will make yourself an asset to the company without the pressure of leading a team. 

We’re always on the lookout for star performers, find your next role with us.