Why Every Job Has Its Battles: The Struggle is Real in Every Function and Role (From Entry-Level to Executive)
Ever wondered why your career sometimes feels like an endless grind, no matter how much experience you have? Whether you’re at the start of your career or sitting at the head of the boardroom, one universal truth remains: the struggle is real. From entry-level jobs to the executive suite, challenges never disappear; they simply evolve.
In this blog, we’ll dive deep into why every role — no matter the industry, title, or function — comes with its own battles and how you can embrace these challenges to grow personally and professionally.
Why Is the Struggle Universal Across Roles?
One might assume that the higher you climb the career ladder, the easier things get. But that’s far from reality. In fact, the struggle is just a constant companion in every phase of your professional journey. It’s a reality check: the type of challenges change, but they never fully go away.
- Entry-level employees struggle to adapt, prove themselves, and meet expectations.
- Mid-level managers are caught between delivering results and managing teams, often feeling stuck in limbo.
- Executives carry the weight of decision-making, market pressures, and stakeholder interests on their shoulders.
Why does this happen? The nature of work evolves as you advance, but so do the stakes. The challenges that seemed tough at the beginning morph into new ones as you grow in your role. Success doesn’t mean the end of struggles — it means finding smarter ways to handle them.
According to a 2023 LinkedIn study, 90% of professionals across industries agree that they face continuous challenges throughout their career. Interestingly, those who embrace these challenges report higher job satisfaction than those who avoid them.
The Entry-Level Struggle: Learning the Rules of the Game
For anyone just stepping into the workforce, the experience can be overwhelming. Entry-level positions often feel like a baptism by fire, where fresh recruits have to quickly learn how to balance multiple responsibilities, work within teams, and understand the culture of an organization.
Example: The Reality of Information Overload
Consider an IT analyst named Alex, freshly graduated from university and eager to prove his worth. On his first day, Alex was bombarded with tasks: managing IT helpdesk tickets, learning new tools, and attending back-to-back meetings. Overwhelmed, he realized that his formal education had not prepared him for the reality of his new role. In fact, 60% of entry-level employees experience information overload, according to a report by the Harvard Business Review.
Alex’s struggle was not unique. He faced the pressure to “get up to speed” quickly. What he didn’t know at the time was that this period of struggle was crucial for his long-term career. His experience was shaping him to become resilient, adaptable, and able to prioritize and solve problems on the fly.
Key Takeaway: Adaptation is your first challenge, and surviving this phase equips you with the foundational skills necessary for the long haul — like time management, collaboration, and troubleshooting.
Mid-Level: The Pressure Cooker of Proving Yourself
Fast forward a few years, and now you’re managing teams, running projects, and facing a new set of struggles. Mid-level roles are particularly tough because you’re stuck between strategy and execution — you have to make things happen, but you’re also dealing with the complexities of leading others.
Example: Navigating People and Performance
Take Sophia, a marketing manager in a global corporation, for instance. When she was promoted, she was excited but soon realized that she was managing not just tasks, but people. Her challenge was learning how to motivate her team while also meeting high expectations from upper management. Her struggle? Balancing leadership with performance. In fact, 50% of mid-level managers experience burnout, primarily due to the constant juggling of responsibilities.
Sophia’s struggle was amplified when her team failed to meet a key project deadline. She had to handle the fallout from senior management while also dealing with a frustrated team. The lesson Sophia learned was that leading a team is not just about delegating tasks but also about building trust, managing conflict, and inspiring productivity.
Key Takeaway: Mid-level roles demand emotional intelligence and leadership skills — mastering these is your ticket to advancing further in your career. The struggle here is real, but it teaches you how to manage teams, deliver results, and maintain a healthy work environment.
The Executive Struggle: The Burden of Leadership
Reaching the top is often seen as the pinnacle of success. You’ve paid your dues, earned the promotions, and now sit at the executive table. But guess what? The struggle doesn’t stop here — in fact, it becomes even more intense. Executives deal with high-stakes decision-making, the future of the company, and immense pressure from stakeholders.
Example: Decision-Making in a High-Pressure Environment
Imagine being John, the CEO of a fast-growing SaaS company. He’s responsible for scaling the business, meeting investor expectations, and leading the organization into new markets. In a pivotal meeting, John has to decide whether to acquire a smaller competitor or invest in a new product line. Both decisions come with risks and rewards, but the pressure to make the “right” call feels overwhelming.
Executives like John face challenges that most people don’t see. They grapple with loneliness at the top — a study by the Harvard Business Review found that over 60% of CEOs feel isolated in their decision-making process. The burden of making decisions that impact hundreds or thousands of employees, along with the company’s long-term success, is immense.
Key Takeaway: At the executive level, the struggle is about balancing long-term vision with immediate results. Every decision can affect the company’s trajectory, making the stakes incredibly high. Yet, this struggle teaches executives the importance of strategic thinking and measured risk-taking.
Why the Struggle is the Path to Growth
So, why embrace the struggle? Because struggle equals growth. Every challenge you overcome, every difficult decision you make, and every moment of discomfort teaches you something valuable. Whether you’re entry-level or a seasoned executive, your growth comes from the discomfort of navigating the unknown.
According to research from Stanford University, professionals who embrace challenges grow faster in their careers than those who avoid them. This is the foundation of the “growth mindset” — the belief that your abilities can be developed through effort, learning, and persistence. Those with a growth mindset aren’t afraid of the struggle; they see it as a necessary step toward success.
In practical terms:
- Entry-level struggles teach adaptability and problem-solving.
- Mid-level challenges build leadership and emotional intelligence.
- Executive-level battles sharpen strategic thinking and decision-making.
Real-World Scenarios of Career Struggles
- Howard Schultz, Starbucks’ Executive Chairman
When Schultz returned to Starbucks in 2008, the company was facing declining sales and a struggling brand. His challenge? Reignite the brand’s growth while navigating a global recession. Schultz’s decision to close 7,100 stores to retrain staff was a high-risk move. But the struggle paid off — today, Starbucks is one of the most successful brands in the world. Schultz’s story reminds us that even seasoned leaders face monumental challenges, but facing struggles head-on is key to driving long-term success. - J.K. Rowling, Author of the Harry Potter Series
Before becoming one of the most successful authors in the world, Rowling faced numerous rejections from publishers. She struggled financially and emotionally during the years she worked on the first Harry Potter book. But her perseverance paid off — over 12 publishers rejected her manuscript before it finally became a global phenomenon. Rowling’s struggle teaches us the power of resilience and determination, no matter the obstacles.
How to Embrace the Struggle at Any Stage in Your Career
Regardless of where you are in your career, here are practical steps to embrace and overcome the inevitable struggles:
- Shift Your Mindset: Instead of viewing challenges as roadblocks, view them as opportunities for growth. Adopt a growth mindset that focuses on learning rather than perfection.
- Find Mentorship: Whether you’re an entry-level employee or a CEO, having a mentor can help you navigate challenges and provide an outside perspective.
- Prioritize Self-Care: Struggles can lead to burnout, especially in high-pressure environments. Prioritize your mental and physical well-being by setting boundaries, taking breaks, and seeking support when needed.
- Continuous Learning: Stay curious. Embrace continuous learning to overcome challenges and stay ahead in your role.
- Embrace Failure: Struggles often involve setbacks or failures. Rather than fearing failure, use it as a learning opportunity. Failure is the best teacher if you approach it with the right attitude.
Final Thoughts
The truth is, no matter where you stand in your career, the struggle is real — but that’s not something to shy away from. It’s something to embrace. The challenges you face at each stage, whether you’re a fresh graduate or a seasoned executive, are the stepping stones to growth and success.
Are you ready to tackle your struggles head-on and turn them into the fuel for your professional growth? Because if you’re not embracing the struggle, you’re missing out on your chance to truly grow.