Peak Performers by Tiffany Uman

Is it time to leave your job?

October 16, 2023

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Knowing when to walk away from a job is not always obvious.

In fact, making such a decision can be nerve-racking, stressful and overwhelming. No one wants to feel like they are making the "wrong choice". That said, it is crucial for your long-term well-being and career growth to put yourself first and make the decision that will set you up for sustainable success.

This is particularly important when you find yourself in a job that is no longer serving your best interests, whether that means limiting your growth potential, compromising your health or bringing too much negativity into your life.

Making this decision goes beyond simply weighing the immediate pros and cons. Rather, it is about determining which path forward is most beneficial in contributing towards your long-term career aspirations. The actions you take (or do not take) today will directly implicate the very trajectory, for better or for worse.

→ Perhaps leaving your company altogether will be the right move.
→ Perhaps staying in your company, but moving into a new department, is ideal.
→ Perhaps making a complete pivot is something you crave.

Regardless of where you find yourself right now, the best thing you can do is to have options available.

Feeling like you have hit a dead-end is only going to limit your mindset about what is truly possible for you in a time of uncertainty, stress and discomfort.

You owe it to yourself to take a hard look at what it is you want, what you feel you are lacking and what changes need to happen to position you for the most success. Settling for less is never the answer.

"The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new." - Socrates

Peak performers take a unique approach in navigating the decision to stay or leave a job in a way that builds upon their extraordinary drive, adaptability and ability to leverage opportunities.

Here's how.

Key consideration factors.

Leaving your job when things grow challenging is not your only answer.

More often than not, there are internal, low-hanging fruit opportunities that could dramatically improve your situation and allow you to take control of your success.

Example: Improving communication with a challenging boss, sharing more explicitly your goals and the support you need to achieve them, or becoming vocal about what you are missing to feel motivated, are but a few scenarios that have helped my own clients completely turnaround stagnation within organizations they initially were ready to leave behind.

That said, it will not always play out this way. When you are in the thick of it, it becomes difficult to see clearly on how best to approach this situation.

So here are 5 consideration factors to reflect on:

→ Assess your needs: Evaluate your distinct skills and contributions to your company and understand that your value is not static. Are there areas in which you can adapt to that would allow for greater fulfillment and motivation? Would joining a different team meet your needs better? Do you feel overloaded, which is preventing you from focusing on more strategic work? Etc.

→ Focus on long-term growth: While short-term gains are important, prioritizing your long-term career goals and determining whether your current situation is potentially impeding those objectives are critical. Recognize that some sacrifices now may lead to greater rewards later.

→ Seek opportunities, not security: Instead of chasing job security, seek opportunities that challenge and push yourself beyond your comfort zone. Be selfish in your needs and take the needed action to be part of an environment that respects and values you.

→ Network strategically: Build a strong professional network, embrace allies and foster relationships who provide guidance and support. The power of connections is real and this is your most important currency when faced with adversity and challenge at work.

→ Trust your instincts: When a job no longer aligns with your aspirations, or you feel disconnected from the work you do and what lights you up inside, this is your sign to take action. Waiting around for things to change on their own is not ideal. Be the change you need to see for yourself.

This is not the time to grapple with indecision, fear of change, and an aversion to risk.

This is the moment to do right by yourself by proactively embracing a growth-mindset.

5 ways to decide if you stay or leave

1/ Review your job satisfaction

Chances are you feel disillusioned if you are actively considering leaving your current job. The key is to identify where your dissatisfaction originates from? Otherwise, you run the risk of repeated disappointments in job satisfaction in future opportunities. A new job does not fix an old wound. This is where self-awareness is of the utmost importance.

→ Are you still passionate about your work or has it become monotonous and unfulfilling?

→ Are you feeling that things you previously enjoyed no longer serve that same purpose?

→ Are you dealing with toxicity that is blocking your growth potential? (Check out my recent Peak Performers newsletter on How to rise above toxic bosses)

→ Are there other areas of work you would like greater exposure to but have been limited in accessing them?

→ Is your lack of enthusiasm recent or has it been ongoing for months at a time?

→ Is your dissatisfaction rooted in your relationships with others or the nature of your work?

From here, create a two-column chart. In the left hand column, mark down all of the things you want more of in your work and career. This can include things that make you happy, motivated and energized. In the right hand column, mark down all of the things you want less of, feel you are missing, or that you want to remove entirely.

This listing will now serve as your "non-negotiables" to inform your decision-making on how you proceed. It is worth noting that some of these may be salvageable in your current workplace whereas others may clearly require a new environment in order for you to thrive.

2/ Outline opportunities for growth

As a reader of this newsletter, you already find yourself among a group of high-achievers striving for continuous self-improvement. When contemplating leaving your current organization, assess the opportunities for growth and development in your current role.

→ Are you learning new skills and gaining valuable experience, or have you hit a career plateau?

→ Do you feel supported in your growth goals or stuck in that regard?

→ Do you see internal movement for others in a direction you would like for yourself?

→ What feedback have you received regarding your career goals internally?

→ Are you faced with toxicity enabled by your management team?

→ Have you felt undervalued in the work you do vs. the outcomes you have yet to achieve?

→ Is this an organization you still want to grow with?

Clear minded and steady handed, dedicate time to reflect on the questions above. For many peak performers, a lack of growth within a reasonable timeline - albeit in learning, skills, team management, compensation or influence - will spark within them a desire to consider a change that serves them in their continued pursuit of excellence.

3/ Protect your work-life balance

Examine your environment carefully and thoughtfully. Through the lens of an honest review of your surroundings, you can identify which problems are deeply rooted in your organization's culture vs. those that can be improved upon with effective communication.

Contemplate on the following:

→ Are you constantly stressed and overworked?

→ Are you feeling a huge weight on your shoulders?

→ Are you expected to take on the roles of multiple employees due to internal team changes or a recent restructuring?

→ Has your relationships outside of work taken a hit?

→ Do you feel drained and demotivated consistently?

→ Are you faced with unreasonable deadlines with little understanding or support from your boss?

→ Have you lost interest in activities that previously brought you happiness?

The decision to stay or walk away from a role may lie in a combination of these factors or reside squarely, and intensely, in a singular one. That said, far too often do high-achievers sacrifice their mental health at the expense of an unfulfilling job solely on the basis of their need to "put on a brave face" and under the guise of hard work.

Create a pathway towards work-life balance by setting boundaries, speaking up regarding your needs and prioritizing self-care above all else.

If you are unable to show up as your best self in your personal life, there is no way you will be able to do so professionally.

4/ Assess financial security

You should never feel trapped in a role for money. We all have financial obligations to meet; to support ourselves and family members - not only to subsist but to find a balanced measure of enjoyment in life outside of our careers which is costly.

That said, staying in a job that is actively working against your goals, suppressing your values and eroding your physical and mental wellbeing is far too great of a cost in the book of your life.

Take a stoic approach, bypass rash decision-making and craft a responsible response if, and when you choose to leave a job. Below are financial reflections worth pondering:

→ How can I leverage my current financial situation for a brighter future? Take a closer look at your income, savings, debts, and monthly expenses to prepare for a potential transition.

→ Do I have a robust safety net to leave my current job without undue hardship? Aim to save enough to cover at least three to six months of living expenses to ensure you are well-protected.

→ Can I secure another job before quitting? Is the current role unbearable to the extent of needing to exit immediately or can I explore new opportunities while continuing to deliver on my day-to-day responsibilities? Remember that having a new job offer in hand is a fantastic way to keep the income flowing and your optimism high.

→ Does my current job actually provide the necessary financial stability, or freedom, I seek in my long-term financial goals?

→ Am I underpaid for the work that I do? Have I assessed what others earn for the same role in my industry, geography, function, etc.? Does my company recognize and value my contributions, financially rewarding me well in line with my peers?

These are but a few financial considerations to reflect upon. Careful financial planning is essential to ensure a smooth transition. It is worth noting that if, and when, you do transition to a new job, that you pursue a new chapter that contributes towards creating your dream career and life.

5/ Respect your values

Instrumental and terminal values are concepts from ethics and social psychology that provide insight into what people strive to achieve (terminal values) and the means or behaviours they consider important to reach those outcomes (instrumental values). And they are crucial to reflect on when assessing whether your current job aligns with your worldview.

For example:

Instrumental values (guiding principles): honesty, hard work, integrity, logical, helpful, etc.
Terminal values (meaningful objectives): a comfortable and prosperous life, equality, pleasure, financial freedom, a world of peace, a sense of accomplishment, safety and security, etc.

The purpose of identifying your instrumental and terminal values is to help you make aligned and meaningful choices. It is critically important to recognize that these values evolve and change over time as you gain new experiences, insights and life milestones.

List out your instrumental and terminal values and map them to those very same types that appear to be held by your organization. Do they align or are they in conflict with each other?

Seek environments, companies and teams that align with both types of values to accelerate your growth and well-being. Working in a career that is contradictory to your values can lead to:

→ Real resentment: Conflict within your organization and strained relationships.
→ Reduced performance: Less motivated, less productive and less likely to excel in your role.
→ Shattered morale: A sense of disengagement, unhappiness and disinterest.

Peak performers seek roles with values that nourish intrinsic values tightly held that in turn materialize into beneficial extrinsic outcomes. Choose wisely.

What decision will you make?

Deciding when to walk away from a job that no longer serves your best interests is a pivotal moment in your career. Peak performers approach this decision intelligently, knowing all-too well the importance to proactively transition to roles that contribute towards a growth-oriented mindset and career.

By considering the key factors mentioned above, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your long-term goals and well-being. Trust in your ability to make the right decision.

You've got this!

This week's mission will help decide how you want to approach your current job: stay or leave? Dedicate uninterrupted time to answering the questions below and leverage these reflections to infuse into your decision making criteria.

1/ Reflect on your current job:

Review your job satisfaction inspired by the questions outlined in #1 above.
From here, create your two-column chart to reflect on your answers. In the left hand column, mark down all of the things you want more of in your work and career. This can include things that make you happy, motivated and energized. In the right hand column, mark down all of the things you want less of, feel you are missing, or that you want to remove entirely.
For both columns, indicate for yourself which ones are deeply routed in the organizational culture vs. those that are subjective based on the team/department internally. This will help you gauge which opportunity areas are worth fixing vs. moving on from.

2/ Identify your intrinsic values:

Gather both your instrumental and terminal values to create a holistic view of self and your overall needs.
Ask yourself if these values are being respected in your current job or have the potential to be fully respected and supported in your current workplace?
If there is a misalignment, this could be your sign to actively pursue a new path forward.

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