Why I Declined A $225,000+ Job Offer

What matters to you in a job?

If you could do the same role, for a different company, but at 3x salary, would you take it?

That's the question I had to answer last year. I considered it for a total of about 2.7 seconds. Here's why I stayed.

My current role is CEO for a non-profit in the care sector. And when people hear the word 'non-profit' they often think you're volunteering somewhere. But that couldn't be further from the truth: There are only a few differences between running non-profit vs for-profit companies.

Both need to:

• manage staff

• make money to pay the bills

• compete in the marketplace- and for talent

• follow policies, procedures and board governance

But one pays more. So why stay?

It comes back to the question at the beginning: "What matters to you in a job?" To me the answer is pretty straightforward (although it took me years to uncover this):

Purpose & Balance

Of course, you need to have enough money to provide for yourself and your family. But often you see people setting goals of "once I have XXX salary, I'm good". But do they stop? And what happens when you keep chasing money? You keep trading your time & family, for more cash.

When that offer came in, I looked at the conditions, and realised, yes we would live in a warmer climate and yes we could drive 2 big cars, but at what cost?

Apart from the squeeze in family time, I'd also lose the part which fulfils me so much in my role: our company's mission. In the new company I'd still have to perform the same tasks:

• lead teams

• manage projects

• develop robust systems

• deliver a strategy and hit KPIs

• liaise with external stakeholders

But I'd do it for the money. And It wasn't a price worth paying.

My job doesn't give me a fancy car, but every day I drive a van filled with the people closest to me.

My job doesn't make the news, but I leave the office knowing I helped improve people's lives.

My job doesn't pay me a bonus, but I'm happier than my investment banking friends.

And what happens when you know your purpose?

You know how to prioritize your energy.

You know who you want to spend your time with.

You know what activities give you fulfilment and strengthen your self-worth.

My job does all of the above. Why would I leave?