Ladderdodging: Employees increasingly reject career promotions

A new professional trend called ‘ladderdodging’ is emerging, where employees consciously decline promotions or leadership roles. Coined by Rohit Bhargava, founder of the Non-Obvious Company, in the book ‘100 Future Words’, the term describes the decision to avoid the increased pressure, risk, and isolation often associated with management positions.

This shift is particularly notable among younger employees who prioritize avoiding additional stress and interpersonal management responsibilities over traditional career advancement. In Germany, research from Michael Page indicates that only 18 percent of employees view a promotion as their most important career goal, reflecting a broader change in workplace priorities.