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(n.)
Declining or choosing not to seek out a promotion or high-level role in order to avoid the added pressure, risk, and loneliness that often comes with management positions.
His continual ladderdodging confused his managers who assumed every strong performer wanted their jobs.
Does it ring true?
From the future, or already here?
Career ladder + dodging. “Climbing the corporate ladder” was the default path; now, many would prefer to find a different path, especially as managing AI agents avoids the baggage that comes with managing people. The Peter Principle said “everyone rises to their level of incompetence,” but the rise was implied. Ladderdodging is the non-obvious modern solution to this seemingly intractable management problem.
Future Words: A Non-Obvious Glossary of Terms That Don’t Exist (But Soon Will) collects all 100, each with its example sentence and coinage notes, from the bestselling authors of The Future Normal. Hardcover, October 20, 2026.