WHY DO 75% PEOPLE GET STUCK IN MID MANAGEMENT?
- ishikalatwal
- Apr 1
- 2 min read
"Learn to compromise if you want to be successful." This is one of the most dangerous pieces of advice often heard at the mid-management level. I’ve been given this advice countless times throughout my career, starting from my very first job in 1998. Fresh out of an MBA in Human Resources, I was placed in a marketing role—something I had no expertise in. My friends and peers reassured me, saying, "At least you have a job! You should compromise." Later, when I moved to the U.S. in 2000, my job was great—until the 2001 Twin Towers attack caused an economic crash. My company downsized, and I was pressured to do the work of three people without a pay raise. When I expressed concern, my boss said, "Be thankful you weren’t laid off. You’ve got to compromise." This pattern repeated itself throughout my career—whether it was accepting a high-paying role in a culture I wasn’t comfortable in, or struggling with low-paying clients when I started my leadership coaching business. The advice remained the same: "Compromise, Payal."
The reason I share these personal experiences is that compromise is often celebrated as a virtue in the corporate world. But at what point does it become a silent killer of ambition? When people compromise in their careers, they give up their self-respect, confidence, and passion. They settle for jobs they hate, say yes to work they don’t enjoy, sacrifice their values for a paycheck, and let their health deteriorate under long hours. Compromise drains energy and plays on mental well-being. And this is why so many professionals remain stuck in mid-management, never breaking through to leadership roles. They believe they are destined for this level. They accept mediocrity. They become victims of their circumstances instead of finding ways to rise above them. Compromise is not about growth—it’s about settling for less than you deserve.
I am not advocating arrogance or a refusal to adapt. Learning from challenges and making strategic decisions is essential for success. But there is a difference between adapting and compromising. Reaching agreements in the workplace is valuable, but it should never come at the cost of your true potential. The moment you accept a lower standard than you desire, you start sabotaging your future. Winning in leadership and in life requires the courage to resist compromise. The world pressures you to conform, to settle, to accept less—but true success comes from creating your own path. As an executive coach, I’ve seen how avoiding compromise leads to extraordinary careers. That’s why I wrote Win the Leadership Game Every Time—to help you break free from limitations and achieve lasting success. You were born to thrive, to succeed, and to reach the next level. So, ask yourself: are you compromising, or are you winning?
Your Good Friend and Mentor
Payal Nanjiani
Read Payal's New Book - "MAKE IT TO THE TOP".
Order your copy on Amazon.
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