One of the most challenging things for us to do, as humans, is to give up. To quit. And in spite of the examples to the contrary in “the great resignation,” or maybe because of them, many of us are loathe to quit the relatively new situations we have made for ourselves. We think… maybe I haven’t truly given it enough time, or energy… or… I don’t want to have another short stint on my resume. But here’s the thing – if you’re not happy, your not giving the job your best – and doesn’t your employer deserve someone who can? And don’t you deserve to be in a position where you are ready, excited, and fully committed to meeting your organizations, and your own, needs. Especially yours.
You don’t owe anyone anything but your best effort, before or after you Quit
Whether your job is, or was, your passion – or you see it as just a paycheck – is your business. It doesn’t matter if your brother’s wife gave you a recommendation, or if your ex-boss called in a favor to get you that interview – none of that is relevant when it comes to your experience of the position.
One of the biggest challenges for individuals who have been highly successful is if they yearn to pivot after years on one track. Maybe they worked toward a Vice President role for a decade and, when it is finally in reach, they don’t want it – but they also don’t want to disappoint their boss, their team, their family… you get the point. But unless there is a compelling reason to quell that yearning for a change, it is likely to come back over and over.
Because if a role is not for you, it doesn’t morph over time. And given the amount of time spent at work, the obstacles are more likely to grow over time. Remember, long-term disappointment, mismatched choices, and/or burnout will not serve you, your family, or your employer.
You don’t owe anyone anything but your best effort, before or after you Quit
If you are not your number one priority, its time to shift your mindset. You can’t serve anyone if you will not serve yourself. People stay in positions they are “less than” happy with for many reasons. And those reasons may be enough to justify the employment, it is no-ones job to judge that but you. Not everyone is in love with their work. But the minimum you should expect is to be grounded and comfortable in your reason for choosing your job. So, if you have made a choice to stay in a position that is unpopular with friends or family, by all means consider their opinions. But make your choices for yourself. No one can live your life but you.
Learn from your experience, so you don’t want to Quit again anytime soon
If you do decide its time to move on, think about what is missing in the role you’re leaving. For instance, if the recruiter sold you on a great company culture – but the reality fell significantly short – how can you avoid that particular pitfall in the future? If your current leader falls short, what are the qualities you wish they had? If you lead a team, what resources or support do you require to be effective?
From the data — which considered turnover from April to September 2021, Glassdoor reviews from the last few years (including before the pandemic) and 172 culture metrics at roughly 600 companies — researchers found toxic work culture to be the biggest factor that led people to quit, and 10 times more important than pay in predicting turnover.
CNBC.com
A good place to start is to ask – what will make me leave this job if I take it? Then, work these items in to the questions you have for potential employers. Remember, interviews are not one-way conversations. Find ways to discover more about the actual company culture, rather than the slick branding and potentially aspirational values. Remember, if your questions put you out of the running for the job, you have likely dodged a bullet.
Now, more than ever, with the world in turmoil, ensuring you’re job suits your needs, lifestyle, and skills is a small ask. So think… What makes you thrive? What makes you want to run for the hills? Ensure you are vetting any potential employer for their ability to get you where you want to be.