Career Anchor
A self-concept consisting of values, motives, and competencies that you would not give up when forced to make a career choice. Identified by Edgar Schein (1978). There are 8 career anchors.
Career Anchors (Schein, 1978) are the non-negotiable core of your career identity. They explain why some career moves feel right and others feel fundamentally wrong — even if the new role pays more.
The 8 anchors: Technical/Functional Competence (mastery in a specific area), General Managerial Competence (leading organizations), Autonomy/Independence (freedom from constraints), Security/Stability (predictable career), Entrepreneurial Creativity (building new things), Service/Dedication to a Cause (helping others), Pure Challenge (solving impossible problems), and Lifestyle (work-life integration).
Knowing your anchor prevents career mistakes — a Security-anchored person will be miserable in a startup, regardless of equity potential.
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