It is often said that staying in the same job, with the same company, for more than two to three years becomes detrimental to your long term career prospects.

However those who do stay put, often assume the top job in a company far sooner than those who chop and change employers.

Ms Hamori’s research (with Peter Cappelli of the Wharton School in Philadelphia) looked at companies in the S&P 500 and the FTSEurofirst 300. She finds that “lifers” get to the top in 22 years (in America) and 24 years in Europe. “Hoppers” who jump between four or more companies, by contrast, take at least 26 years on average to become chief executives. Insiders get promotions that reflect their potential, because their bosses have enough information to be reasonably confident about their ability.

I can see the logic here, so what’s with the talk that sitting still is a bad idea career wise?