Your career doesn’t have to move in a straight line. In fact, it probably shouldn’t. Leadership expert Simon Sinek says taking a so-called “backward career move” might be exactly what you need to get ahead and feel happier while you are at it.

What does he mean by that? A backward career move occurs when you take a step that appears to be going in the wrong direction. Maybe you accept a lower-paying job, move into a completely new field, or go back to school after already building experience. It may not look like progress on paper, but Sinek argues it can set you up for real success.

The ‘Slingshot’ Strategy

Sinek compares career moves to a slingshot. To launch forward with real force, you first need to pull back. That might mean making less money for a while or letting go of a job title.

Olly / Pexels / Most people think that 'forward' is always better. But when you are stuck, burned out, or chasing the wrong goals, stepping back gives you space to aim better.

Then, when you launch, you go further than if you just kept grinding in the same spot. Sinek believes that reinvention is essential. The world is changing too fast to stick to one narrow career path forever. If you are not willing to let go of some status, salary, or comfort, you might end up stuck or worse, irrelevant.

Every 7 to 10 years, Sinek suggests asking yourself: Is this still what I want? If the answer is no, it might be time to pivot. That pivot could feel like a step backward at first. But it is often the first move in building something stronger.

Fulfillment Beats Linear Progress

Climbing the ladder is overrated. Sinek and happiness researcher Arthur Brooks both argue that real joy comes from learning, growing, and doing work that matters to you, not just moving up.

Brooks says people waste energy trying not to “fall behind.” But behind who? There is no finish line. Careers are not races. If you are learning, exploring, and feeling alive, you are not behind. You are exactly where you should be.

Arthur Brooks knows this firsthand. He dropped out of college, played French horn in a touring band, and lived paycheck to paycheck. Then, in his late 20s, he started over: back to school, back to square one.

Marta / Pexels / When you stop chasing approval, you start chasing meaning. Confidence is about knowing your path, even if no one else gets it.

Today, he is a Harvard professor and one of the top voices on happiness and purpose. He credits his success to those backward moves, calling them essential. He even talks about regularly stripping his life “back to the bolts” to rebuild from a clean slate.

Fear of Looking Like a Failure

One of the hardest parts of a backward career move isn’t the money or the learning curve. It is the judgment. People fear what others will say if they quit a “good” job or leave a fancy title behind.

Executive coach Cynthia Pong offers a few sharp questions to help you decide. Do you think about leaving your field almost every day? Would your close friends say you are unhappy? Can you name what unique skills you would bring to something new?

These questions help you figure out if you are just stressed or if it is time for a bigger change. If the answers hit hard, it might be your signal to move, even if it means going back to move forward.