Consequences of Turning Down a Promotion?

The Fun Guy asks: "I'm part of a research team, doing interesting work on an important topic. However, I've been getting some signals from various superiors that I might be put in charge of another team; the trouble is, that team is dysfunctional, unproductive, and the focus is not as cool as what I'm working on now. I do have career ambitions to move up the ladder of responsibility and authority, and even recently applied for a job three rungs up, mostly as a way to get noticed by the big wigs. It looks like they noticed, but that project looks like a minefield. I really think I'd rather be second banana on a great project than top banana on a lousy one. How bad would it be for my long-term prospects if I say 'Thanks, but no thanks, I'll wait for a better offer'?"

If You Want An Example...

[Anonymous Coward]

Turning down the Captain's chair almost, but never really, hurt Riker's career...

look at ST:TNG

[rritterson]

Well, on Star Trek: TNG, Riker continuously declined the promotions that the federation tried to offer him, but he ended up an admiral on the 1701E during the last episode, which would kick some serious ass.

I say you do what he did, and maybe you'll get your own Starship... err interesting project.

Re:look at ST:TNG

[EnglishTim]

YOU BUNCH OF FUCKING GEEKS!

Re:look at ST:TNG

[EnglishTim]

Ooops. I meant to post that anonymously.

*ahem*

Re:Honesty is the best policy

[Clover_Kicker]

Wow, I do hope you're joking.

Honesty is the most valuable thing in the world, and therefore must be tightly rationed.

The truth will set you free - from your job, your relationships, etc.

Re:Commander Riker syndrome

[cmowire]

No matter how you look at it, you all are arguing about a fictional character from the future.

Which has next to no bearing to reality.

That is, unless upper management is a bunch of trekkies and that's how you ingraciate yourself with them.

Re:Honesty is the best policy

[Clover_Kicker]

If you're working in a job where you can't be frank with the people above you, then get another job.

I've never had a job where the people above me wanted to hear the truth. Telling the truth has been a career-limiting move for me in several different jobs.

The only reason this dilbertesque cliche of organisational structure exists is because people let it exist.

You are correct. However, I assert that most people are dishonest. Let's suppose we have a group of 99 honest people and 1 scheming liar. The dishonest man will win most political games. People notice this, and stop being honest - it isn't a survival trait.

I'm glad this whole honesty thing is working out for you so far, but I fear it's going to fuck you up in the end.

Also if the truth is going to set you free from you relationship, then it's doomed anyway, because the truth will always come out in a relationship eventually. But if it's coming out because you're telling it, then you have control over the way it's delivered.

OK, what's the proper answer to "Does this dress make me look fat?"

Re:Take a chance

[Anonymous Coward]

A lot of leadership experience, eh?

Then, you've already proven yourself to others.

Oh, wait. You haven't. You're lying!

Isn't that what caused dot-boom-crunch economic fuckjob of the past few years?

I hope you die before you get a chance to become someone important and find some way to fuck up my life.

Sincerely,
AC

Re:Honesty is the best policy

[Clover_Kicker]

Q: Does this dress make me look fat?

A: No, it's all the fucking ice cream and chocolate that makes you look fat.