Climbing the corporate ladder is often a lengthy process, during which employees experience a variety of emotions. A study published in the Human Resource Management Journal looks at this slow ascent, and highlights the fact that working people go through several distinct emotional states on their journey to the top of an organisation.

The authors of this research chose to focus on the emotional trajectory of lawyers who wish to be promoted to the rank of partner within their firm. Partner status is the holy grail of the profession, conferring legitimacy and social status – but it is often difficult to obtain, as lawyers have to build up a large – and lucrative – client portfolio before they can qualify for partnership.

The researchers conducted in-depth interviews with 31 lawyers and seven HR professionals working in seven UK firms, to gain a better understanding of how careers evolve in the sector. They found that aspiring partners go through four distinct emotional states before achieving that coveted status.

At the start of their careers, lawyers are often excited, and in a state of anticipation at the idea of entering the legal profession. But they soon feel fear and anxiety at the thought of failing to make their mark in the law firm where they’re starting out.

This is followed by a phase of joy and personal satisfaction when, through hard work and long hours, they become partners. “Some of the lawyers we interviewed used phrases like ‘love’ when talking about partnership and felt great pride when being promoted,” according to study co-author Stefanie Gustafsson.

This enthusiasm, however, tends to wane when lawyers realise that becoming partner is not the end of the road, but rather the beginning of a new phase in their professional lives. The weight of their new responsibilities can take a toll on their morale and wellbeing.

But Gustafsson and her colleague Dan Kärreman found that the lawyers they interviewed still want to become partners in the course of their careers. Those who wished to take an alternative path were less well-regarded than their more career-minded colleagues.

While this study focuses on lawyers, the experts argue that any working person seeking a senior role can go through similar emotional states as they do. “We believe the learnings could apply equally to any top profession,” Gustafsson stressed.

“Such employees go through a rollercoaster of challenging emotions, positive and negative, that HR and line managers should consider and understand, particularly to develop coping skills and provide support in cultures where success is celebrated but failure is frequently stigmatised.”