I'd been Managing Director of a big company for five years and was stuck.
The plan was to succeed the CEO but I was in no hurry. Rumours circulated that my boss was to leave, my head advised succession was the logical next step but my heart disagreed.
I sought counsel from a business coach; "I only enjoy half of my current job, I suspect I'd hate all of the CEO role" I confessed.
My Zen-like coach created a pyramid shape with his hands and said "don't get trapped by hierarchy" as they opened wide.
Liberated with one simple hand gesture.