As I reflect on 2015, I can’t help but think of how many friends I know who’ve made serious career moves this year.
I’ve watched many friends leave crappy jobs and go to new ones … And, while this is worth celebrating, it isn’t really a surprise. I expect people who work in bad environments to make a change.
What has been a shock is watching the friends who weren’t in crappy jobs make the same changes. Senior Executives and Top Level Talent at companies that seemed to have it all and who seemed to love their jobs — yet they quit! They took a position at someplace new. They started a business of their own. They created a new path for themselves.
As I deal with the challenges of the day-to-day in my own job, I wonder sometimes if I should do the same. I wonder if it is time for a change. I wonder if I should chuck the deuces and try another path … And if you are like me, this time of year has you thinking about where you are, where you want to go and the best way to get there.
As I talk to my friends about the big changes they’ve made, I noticed some common themes in their feedback. Here’s a few clues that it’s time to make that job change:
Your supervisor doesn’t “get it” … Whether it is the need for more personnel, better hiring practices, competitive compensation, improved technology, if your supervisor cannot see the needs or support your suggestions for improvement and advancement, it is time to make a change. People quit their bosses far more often than they quit the company or the work. Top talent is no different in this regard.
There is a consistent lack of development support … Similar to a supervisor that gets it, you also need support for growth and learning. If you’re having to get special permission or use personal time to attend development events, it is time to make a change. People want to feel supported and encouraged in their efforts to increase their skills, knowledge and value. Top talent is no different in this regard.
You see opportunity all around you … Major career moves are not about leaving one place as much as it is stepping into a new place, whether it is creating your own business or working in someone else’s. When all you see is opportunities around you to add value and have impact and fill a need beyond where you are, it is time to make a change. People leave for a challenge that is obviously different and greater, not just for financial increase. Top talent is different in this regard.
It’s not about more money … Major career moves are not about earning a greater salary as much as it is doing a greater work. The self-talk isn’t about “not getting paid enough to put up with this mess” or “earning thousands more if” you worked somewhere else when you are making a major career move. When you don’t care about the money anymore, it is time to make a change. People leave because the passion and possibility pulls them in a new direction. Top talent is different in this regard.
For me, the jury is still out on this.
What I do know is that I am glad to be writing and podcasting with the team at PIC. So I’m looking forward to great things for this group and myself in 2016. Because I know there is more fulfilling work to be done here. And sometimes you have to just bloom where you are planted.