“Wonder Woman Files” is a weekly career column on Madame Noire. Stay tuned for more topics, comment or write us at editors@madamenoire.com if you have suggestions!
After saying goodbye to the White House, Obama’s Former Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel has officially launched his campaign for Mayor of Chicago. And while many have criticized the move, I have to give Monsieur Emanuel his props. Moving from one of the President’s biggest assets in Washington back home might be the smartest political downgrades I’ve ever seen.
Seeing the value in downgrading can bring benefits and open doors. Even though the common thought is that bigger is better, you can often find success through taking a less praised route. When young professionals talk about being a big fish in a small pond, they often say it with disdain, a grain of salt. Most of the career examples we’ve seen have us trained to believe that high profile equals automatic validation. And while it certainly is a good strategy for some, is our focus on the way up keeping us from seeing the way forward?
Rahm Emanuel may be going from the White House back to his house, but he by no means needs anyone’s pity. Just a few years back, another political figure moved into a small New York suburb and announced her candidacy for the Senate. While her road didn’t lead to the oval office, Secretary of State Hilary Clinton is one of the most powerful figures in Washington and the world. Not a bad way to end up, if you ask me.
Choosing to be a big fish in a small pond may seem like career suicide to onlookers. It’ll probably even get you mocked by a few. But a smart Madame knows that a small pond can open the floodgates to her future success.
