Discomfort is Good.

One of the best bosses I ever had gave me the boot - for my own good.

It was 2009. I was an underwriter in a very specialized program, writing excess coverage over insurance agents' E&O, GL, Auto and WC. (Talk about micro-niche!)

It gave me a ton of awesome, unique experiences.
I loved my team and my manager.
I rubbed shoulders with the upper echelon by being in that dept.
I loved coming to work.

About 2 years into the role, my boss pulled me aside and said, "We're going to transfer you down to the branch so you can learn general commercial underwriting."

It felt like a hit to the gut. I felt tears welling up in my eyes.
Why? I loved this job.
Was this a punishment???

She quickly reassured me it was not, but in fact - the opposite.

"This will create a foundation that you can do anything with. I'm really sad to lose you here on our team, but there is nothing else you can do with this knowledge, no where else to go. It's too specialized. You'll do big things in your career, but in order to get there, you need to detour now and learn how to underwrite all lines for a variety of different risk types."

Then she said, "Trust me, you'll thank me later."

I was in the home office "Ivory Tower" where everything from the lighting to the snacks, and especially the tone and demeanor of people were all far superior so I wanted to cry at the idea of leaving that behind.

Also, we all know the feeling - being brand new at something all over again....sucks.

But 14 years later, I can't deny she was right.

The knowledge I gained in those following years was a springboard for huge opportunities and increased earnings, where the prior program would've been a dead end. If I'd stayed in that role, today I'd have a very unmarketable resume, and have averaged an income probably a quarter of what I've built since then.

If you're super comfortable but don't see a path up, that's not good - while it might suck at the time, seek discomfort and growth! You will thank yourself later.

If you're a manager, don't be selfish and keep your best people in a box just because you need them - do the right thing and guide them toward other opportunities!

To this day I still think of that manager. She's long retired and not on LinkedIn. Writing this post actually prompted me to drop a thank you note to her in the mail this morning. You truly never know the impact your wisdom can have on someone - pay it forward!