"When I entered the workforce as a young adult, I was blissfully naive of the inner workings of the corporate world. My family of blue-collar workers never discussed hierarchical power structures, and working up from being a restaurant hostess to waitress and, eventually, bartender was the only career ladder I’d scaled. But alas, I’d been taught to prioritize success above all else, and this was when hustle culture reigned supreme. So, I regularly bit off more than I could chew and often sacrificed sleep in pursuit of personal career glory.
Obviously, hindsight is 20/20. Leaving the white-collar world and becoming self-employed opened my eyes to just how outdated the corporate landscape truly is—and I’m not alone. Now, more young professionals are recognizing there’s more to life than simply scaling the career ladder, and are engaging in a trend called “conscious unbossing” as a result. After learning more about this workplace trend from career experts, I have to say I’m fully on board with it.
Ahead, learn what conscious unbossing is and why people are doing it, the potential impacts it can have on your career trajectory, and whether it’s changing anything about corporate life as we know it. Plus, how to decide if you should be doing it, too.
What is conscious unbossing, and why are people doing it?
The term “conscious unbossing” refers to the intentional decision to reject traditional leadership roles. Leadership expert Megan Dalla-Camina says this trend most often manifests as declining management positions, but can also look like leaving the corporate world for another sector or challenging the notion that success hinges on long work hours by carving out more time for life outside of work. Either way, this trend does not stem from burnout, laziness, or a fear of failure, but rather clarity on what your values, goals, and lifestyle needs are. Conscious unbossing is less about opting out and more about deliberately choosing what you opt into professionally, according to Dalla-Camina.
“Conscious unbossing is less about opting out and more about deliberately choosing what you opt into professionally.”
According to Zety career expert Jasmine Escalera, Gen Z is at the helm of this trend. Unlike previous generations, Gen Z professionals have had the distinct advantage of growing up in a world that prioritizes mental health above all else; therefore, forfeiting a job that doesn’t support their overall well-being seems like the most logical solution. By doing so, they are reimagining what success looks like by challenging the idea that climbing the corporate ladder is the only sign of success. But Gen Z isn’t totally alone in this: Dalla-Camina says that women across all generations are consciously unbossing because “they’re no longer willing to sacrifice their wellbeing, creativity, or purpose at the altar of relentless hustle or performative leadership.”
What are the potential impacts of conscious unbossing?
Opting out of traditional leadership responsibilities sounds great and all, but it begs the question: how does this affect career trajectories? Ultimately, whether conscious unbossing hinders or benefits your career depends on whether you’re playing it safe or smart. For example, Dr. Maggie Warrell, a leadership advisor and keynote speaker, explained that declining a leadership role out of fear (think: fear of failure or fear of taking on more responsibility) increases your chances of falling into what she calls “the courage gap.” This is the divide between action and potential, and can widen over time if it’s left unaddressed. Similarly, making a permanent job decision impulsively, especially when you’re burnt out or exhausted, could backfire. For example, declining a promotion on a Friday of a long workweek might create the misconception that you’re unambitious or disengaged.
Alternatively, CEO and founder of Brown Leadership, Kimberly Brown, says that conscious unbossing, rooted in intention and backed up by a solid narrative, can actually benefit your career trajectory. It might seem counterproductive, but stepping back to recalibrate, strengthen your prowess, or pivot in a new direction better aligned with your values and goals is a strategic move. In these instances, Brown says choosing to back off shows that you have self-awareness and agency. Plus, Dr. Warrell says this emanates confidence; it affirms you can say “no” to something that isn’t right, no matter how good it may look on your LinkedIn profile.
How conscious unbossing is changing the corporate world
Because successful companies are usually built upon the sacrifices of leaders and employees, trying to change this system, especially from the ground up, seems futile. Yet, Founder and CEO of female-focused workplace coaching company ELIXIR, Jess Ringgenberg, says workers prioritizing mental health over career aspirations has created a reckoning in the corporate world. It’s sent a clear message that our current workplace models are no longer working. More importantly, it’s forced employers to face the harsh reality that leadership needs to evolve, according to Brown.
“Workers prioritizing mental health over career aspirations has created a reckoning in the corporate world.”
Now, forward-thinking companies are responding by essentially reimagining what leadership looks like. These employers are going beyond the standard flexible hybrid and remote work models and exploring shared leadership models. According to Dr. Warrell, one way they’re doing this is by flattening hierarchies so decision-making authority is evenly distributed throughout the workplace. Furthermore, Escalera says conscious unbossing is fostering a more candid dialogue about career growth. Leaders play an important role at work, so employers have to find ways they not only support their employees but also create flexible pathways for those with leadership aspirations.
By the same token, the saying “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks” exists for a reason. Despite the potential long-term benefits of conscious unbossing, like a more sustainable, purpose-driven work environment, some employers are resistant to change; they’re still holding onto the belief that long work hours can be used to measure ambition. What this means is that while conscious unbossing is altering the corporate landscape, it’s not yet given it the complete overhaul it needs.
So, should you try conscious unbossing?
Stepping into a leadership role is a decision that shouldn’t be made lightly, so Ringgenberg suggests evaluating the realistic trade-offs, like how much more time, mental load, and energy this role will require, and whether you have the support system to navigate these changes. Further, Escalera recommends breaking down the decision in terms of capacity, impact, and precedent. Do you have the bandwidth to realistically take on more? Will the promotion benefit you and your colleagues? Will stepping up come with the assumption that you’ll always absorb extra work?
“The best bosses don’t take on more simply to move up the ladder. Rather, they take on more because it fuels their passion and makes a positive impact in the workplace.”
Additionally, Dr. Warrell recommends asking yourself if this new role will grow your soul and not just your bank account, and if saying “yes” to the job stems from a place of self-trust rather than self-doubt or FOMO. This will help you get clear on your “why” and what drives you professionally. According to Dr. Warrell, the best bosses don’t take on more simply to move up the ladder. Rather, they take on more because it fuels their passion and makes a positive impact in the workplace.
At the end of the day, conscious unbossing is about embracing change, writing your own rules, and creating your own definition of success. Instead of hitting the snooze button and simply going through the motions at work, this trend encourages us to reevaluate our purpose and passions. Better yet, it lets us break away from what society has deemed the “right” career path, and affirms there’s nothing wrong with saying “no” to positions that don’t serve our aspirations and well-being.
Experts Consulted
Kimberly Brown
Kimberly Brown is a globally recognized career and leadership strategist, bestselling author, and international keynote speaker. As the founder and CEO of Brown Leadership®, a premier learning and development firm, she helps mid-career and senior professionals amplify their brands, accelerate growth, and drive performance.
Megan Dalla-Camina
Megan Dalla-Camina is the founder of Women Rising, a global women’s empowerment company supporting thousands of women through leadership, career, and personal growth. A bestselling author, speaker, and PhD researcher in women’s spirituality, Megan blends decades of experience in executive leadership with a deep commitment to feminine wisdom and wellbeing.
Jasmine Escalera, PhD
Jasmine Escalera, PhD, is a seasoned career expert with over 15 years of experience in hiring, management, and leadership roles. For the past five years, she has dedicated herself to supporting career professionals in finding the right roles and cultivating supportive work environments for their growth and success.
Dr. Margie Warrell
Dr. Margie Warrell is a six-time bestselling author, including her newest title, The Courage Gap. She is leadership advisor, keynote speaker, and “courage catalyst” bringing deep insight into human and organizational behavior to foster braver leadership and better outcomes.
Jess Ringgenberg, PCC
Jess Ringgenberg is the CEO and founder of ELIXR, a corporate advisor, researcher, and a passionate advocate for women’s workplace equity. ELIXR’s approach integrates data-driven strategies, leadership coaching, and workplace culture transformation to drive retention, engagement, and career advancement for women at every stage.