Should I stay or should I go?

"Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway." - Earl Nightingale

This month, I want to discuss what makes us want to stay or leave a job.

We all have different priorities, and they also change over time: what you’re prioritising today might not be what you will in a few years.

Have you ever felt like quitting but couldn’t explain why and how to do it?

“It’s not that bad after all!”

“Is the grass really greener elsewhere?”

“I have too many responsibilities to take this risk now.”  

Numerous factors can make us feel conflicted about staying in a role or pursuing new opportunities.

We need to consider what matters the most to us today.

Management: Anyone who’s been micromanaged in the past knows how unbearable that is and how it can affect you mentally. But it’s not all there is to it. An absent manager might not support you in your day-to-day job or career growth. Or maybe you lost trust in the leadership team you’re reporting to. On the other hand, you might feel guilty about leaving an excellent manager who taught you so much and helped you grow. If so, don’t you think they would support your move, even if it’s outside the company?  How is management important to you right now?

Career growth: Career growth refers to all the possibilities that your employer offers to you. They should be able to dedicate resources to providing you with adequate training to upskill. It's important to be consistently challenged to learn new things. Additionally, there should be opportunities for both vertical and lateral career movement. Do you see you grow in your role? Does it matter to you?

Compensation: Regularly comparing your overall compensation to the market standards and staying informed is crucial, as you're often at risk of being underpaid after 3-4 years in the same role without any progression. Reflect on how important this is to you today. Are you satisfied with your current compensation package?

Responsibilities: Maybe you feel bored in your current role, or the workload has become overwhelming without being rewarded. Consider whether there’s a disconnect between what was promised during recruitment and your job duties. Assess how well your current responsibilities align with your expectations and how important this alignment is to you today.

Working Conditions: Consider the nature of your work environment, whether it’s office-based, remote, hybrid, or involves significant travel. Maybe it has become difficult to sustain in your situation.  What is your current ideal format?

 Values of the Company: Maybe you feel disconnected from the company's values, or there's a misalignment between initial promises and current realities within your team. Perhaps you disagree with the company's overall strategy. Consider how important this is to you today and whether another company might better align with your values.

Market Situation: Consider the current market conditions, including layoffs and uncertainties about the teams and colleagues you might encounter. Keep in mind that there have been and will always be layoffs. Is the role you are targeting still available in quantity?

Reflect on these 7 factors and identify the ones that matter the most to you today. Use this information to guide your next move.

 It’s not always by the book; sometimes you feel in your gut about the next right thing to do.

And that’s fine; it’s a decision you only can make, and it doesn’t have to make sense to others.  

Should you stay or should you go?

Remember that moving will always make you more or less uncomfortable.

Listening to the job market and being open to new opportunities might also make you reconsider some of the factors we talked about, and that’s fine. That's the best way to stay up-to-date and know what you currently have by comparing what's available.

That’s what makes us human.

Thank you for reading me,

Damien

PS: The picture was taken in my hometown, on the beach in Le Portel, France.