In this episode of The Happy Leader, I delve into the difficult choice many senior leaders are forced to make between golden handcuffs or career happiness. This is the point where many leaders reach the pinnacle of their careers only to feel unfulfilled. Climbing the corporate ladder often brings increased financial rewards, but it can also lead to a lack of purpose and fulfillment. This sense of emptiness can stem from not meeting higher-level needs, explained by a well-known psychology model that I share in this podcast.

 You’ll hear about "Pierre" who, despite his success and wealth, felt trapped and deeply unhappy. Pierre's internal struggle exemplifies the conflict many leaders face when deciding between financial security or personal fulfillment.

Key Questions Discussed in the podcast

• What is Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, and how does it relate to leadership.
• Why leaders want to be incentivized in ways that are more purposeful, and not just with money.
• What are the three steps you can take to create change and move you out of this unfulfilling role, while still paying for your lifestyle.

Resources Mentioned in the Podcast

• Bring Your Compensation Strategy Up-to-Date
• Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
• Incentivizing the C-Suite: Cash Is No Longer King, so What Works Now?
• Networking: It's Not What You Think
• 6 Worksheets & Templates to Find Your Ikigai