Should You Move to a Smaller Company to Get Promoted? 3 Questions to Ask First

April 20, 2026

Not all VP titles are created equal. Before you make a move, here's how to think through whether going to a smaller company will actually accelerate your career or hold you back.

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Episode Summary
Not all VP titles are created equal. Before you make a move, here's how to think through whether going to a smaller company will actually accelerate your career or hold you back.
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BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL LEARN:

  • Why titles vary wildly across company size and what that means for your career trajectory
  • The three conditions where moving to a smaller company for a bigger title is a smart move
  • How to tell if you're avoiding the real problem instead of solving it
  • What company stage you actually thrive in and why it matters as much as the title itself
  • How to think about scope, not just title, when evaluating your next career move
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Hi, I’m Katy McFee
A former VP and EVP who knows how hard it is to break into executive leadership. After years of feeling stuck, I figured it out and now, as a certified executive coach, I help other women do the same. I’ve supported hundreds in landing the promotions they deserve with strategies that make success achievable, without the years of trial and error.