Career Anchors

In today's fast-evolving work environment, professionals often grapple with career decisions that affect their long-term growth, satisfaction, and sense of purpose. One powerful concept that helps navigate these decisions is the idea of "Career Anchors," developed by Edgar Schein. Schein’s model provides a framework for understanding the deep-seated values and motivations that drive individuals in their professional journeys.

Click here to see the full document and self-assess your career anchors.

What Are Career Anchors?

A Career Anchor is a core value or self-concept that shapes an individual's career decisions. According to Schein, these anchors develop over time, becoming deeply ingrained as a person gains more experience and insight into their own abilities, needs, and values. Schein identified eight primary Career Anchors, each representing a dominant aspect of one's professional identity:

1. Technical/Functional Competence: The desire to excel in a specific skill or technical area.
2. General Managerial Competence: A focus on managing people and resources, with an interest in leadership and decision-making.
3. Autonomy/Independence: The need for freedom and self-direction in one's work.
4. Security/Stability: A preference for job security and steady employment over risks and uncertainties.
5. Entrepreneurial Creativity: The drive to create something new, often through innovation or starting a business.
6. Service/Dedication to a Cause: A commitment to making a difference in society through one’s work.
7. Pure Challenge: The desire to overcome difficult obstacles and solve complex problems.
8. Lifestyle: The importance of balancing work with personal life, prioritising overall quality of life.

These anchors are not merely professional preferences; they represent a core aspect of an individual’s identity. As a person matures professionally, they begin to prioritise the anchor that aligns most closely with their sense of purpose and long-term goals.

When Should Professionals Identify Their Career Anchors?

Understanding Career Anchors is valuable at several key points in a professional’s journey:

1. Career Transitions: Whether it's a change in industry, role, or even stepping into leadership, identifying Career Anchors helps professionals make decisions that align with their true motivations and values. Instead of making decisions based solely on external factors (like salary or job title), they can choose paths that resonate with their deeper sense of purpose.
2. Mid-Career Reflection: Professionals often reach a point where they reflect on the meaning and impact of their work. This could be after years in a role, when they’re considering a shift, or when they’re feeling unfulfilled. Recognising their dominant anchor can provide clarity on why they feel the way they do and guide them toward roles that align better with their core values.
3. Post-Success Reflection: After achieving a significant career milestone, individuals may realize that the success does not bring the fulfillment they expected. Understanding their anchor can help them refocus on what truly matters to them.

The Role of Career Anchors in Coaching Conversations

For coaches, integrating Career Anchors into discussions with coachees can be a game-changer. It opens up deeper reflections on what truly motivates an individual and how that drives their career choices. A coach can help a coachee uncover their dominant anchor and explore whether their current career path aligns with it.

This conversation becomes particularly important during times of transition or uncertainty. When a coachee feels stuck, disengaged, or unsure of their next steps, reflecting on their Career Anchors can provide them with a compass for moving forward. It enables the coachee to gain clarity on what will truly fulfill them, beyond the superficial factors of a role.

Click here to see the full document and self-assess your career anchors.

Career Anchors provide a valuable lens for both individuals and coaches to view professional growth. By identifying these core motivations, professionals can make more informed decisions about their careers, ensuring that their work aligns with their deeper values and long-term aspirations. Coaches can facilitate this exploration, helping coachees gain clarity and purpose in their professional journeys. Ultimately, knowing one’s Career Anchor is not just about making career choices—it’s about understanding oneself and living a more authentic and fulfilling professional life.