Flourish Health & Wellbeing eMag - Jan 26 - Flipbook - Page 35
In Australia, nearly half (49%)
of adults say they have
considered “levelling down” in
their careers, moving into a role
with fewer responsibili琀椀es so
they can priori琀椀se wellbeing,
昀氀exibility and life outside work.
What is quiet ambition?
Quiet ambi琀椀on doesn’t mean
lack of drive. Far from it.
It’s about:
• striving for steady growth
rather than fast upward
jumps;
• aligning your career with
values, purpose and
wellbeing, not just 琀椀tles
and salary;
• recognising that your career
journey might be sideways
or even “level-down” rather
than always up.
Recent data suggest younger
genera琀椀ons especially are
shi昀琀ing away from the old
playbook of “climb the ladder
at all costs”. For example: a
2023 survey found 46 % of
Gen Z and 41% of Millennials
now priori琀椀se mental health
and work-life balance over
rapid career progression.
So quiet ambi琀椀on means
rede昀椀ning success on
your terms.
Why is the concept
gaining traction?
Several forces are shaping
this trend:
• Workplace culture and
burnout: Employees are
more aware of mental
health, boundary se琀�ng
and sustainable work. In
Australia and New Zealand
only 23% of workers say
they are “thriving”, and the
disengagement score (‘quiet
qui琀�ng’) sits at about 67%.
• Purpose over pres琀椀ge:
People want work that
ma琀琀ers. Data from
Australia show women
are increasingly seeking
roles with 昀氀exibility, values
alignment and upskilling
more than simply climbing.
• Changing employment
contracts: The idea of
one employer for life is
gone. Work is now seen in
terms of personal growth,
adaptability and meaning
rather than strict hierarchy.
• Global shi昀琀s: Organisa琀椀ons
recognise that reten琀椀on
and engagement depend
less on 琀椀tle and more on
whether people feel valued,
aligned and balanced. A
recent global study found
41% of respondents say
昀氀exible work arrangements
are key to how they de昀椀ne
ambi琀椀ous roles.
