Achievement Quote by Rosabeth Moss Kanter
“Lack of opportunity breeds dreams of escape. But professionals and managers who have invested in their careers do not leave the work force as frequently as discouraged workers in lower status occupations. Instead, they keep working, but they escape emotionally by defining achievement in professional, not company, terms. ... Thus, the potential for being stuck as career uncertainty grows takes its toll in weakening attachment to any particular employer.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Men and Women of the Corporation, Rosabeth Moss Kanter, 1977
Career uncertainty can cause emotional disengagement, leading professionals to define success personally rather than through their employer, weakening loyalty.
In simple terms: Uncertainty leads to emotional escape and weaker employer ties.
Key Takeaway
Focus on personal achievement metrics.
Themes
career uncertainty
emotional escape
loyalty
professional identity
workplace dynamics
Mood
reflective
analytical
optimistic
Type
advice
motivational
philosophical
When to use this quote
- career counseling
- employee retention strategies
- leadership development
- personal branding
- workplace wellbeing
Key Concepts
psychology
organizational behavior
identity theory
Questions to Reflect On
- How can organizations support personal achievement without fostering disengagement?
- What personal metrics best reflect professional growth?
A Different Perspective
Not all workers can easily redefine success; systemic barriers may persist.
