More often than I would have anticipated, I hear an executive coaching client say something like, “I didn’t see it coming” or “How did I miss the warning signs?” when talking about working in a place that isn’t right for them now, or maybe ever.

Yes, how does this happen?

My thought is they did not survey the workplace landscape. Either they were too busy with their head deep in their work, reluctant to do the necessary homework, or distracted by whatever. They failed to see what would be obvious to so many of us.

Here’s how you could go about insuring you are looking at the situation from a few perspectives and getting a clearer picture.

Questions to Ask When Assessing Your Workplace Landscape

Take a Serious Look

At 100,000 feet. This is viewing your company or potential company, organization or firm from a significant distance. Too high to see individual people or specific problems but an excellent way to get an overall view of the workplace’s landscape. This is how you assess the health and soundness of the place — financially, ethically, culturally. You look at the stock price and the annual report. You read what pundits have to say about the place and the people in charge. You have a Google alert set, so when news blasts you are on top of it. Ask and investigate where your employer sits in the industry’s hierarchy. Are they early adapters, thought leaders, followers, or has beens? You learn who the obvious competitors are and who might be creeping up or bullying their way into the space. What global issues are in their favor and what might have a serious negative impact? You do it objectively at this level because next you are going to descend and take a closer look.

At 30,000 feet. The workplace landscape is clearer with greater detail at this altitude but remains a big picture. You get a look at some of the main players and the strategies. Who’s running the place and how are they viewed, internally and externally? Has anyone gone out in handcuffs, been accused of sexual harassment, or jumped ship a few times in the past few years? You don’t need to know much more to understand this is potential chaos and the stigma (and jokes) permeate everyone’s resume. At this flying level, you would also be able to see and hear about future plans. Is expansion in the works, news products or projects, more locations, increases in head count — all say there is opportunity for you. Are they using cutting edge technology, current business practices? Is their stated perspective on human capital in keeping with current approaches as well as meeting your needs and wants? Most of this information is available — you simply must look or ask.

At 10,000 feet. You are looking at the makeup of your area, division, department, team. How flat is the organization? Who’s in charge and how close would you be to that person? Who are the other members of the team — what are their credentials and what has been their career trajectory in this place and others? How long do people stay? Is there opportunity to be exposed and work in other jobs and on important projects? How are decisions made? Is there collaboration or domination? What’s your assessment of the working environment? Is it clean, well-lighted, respectful and conducive to the type of work you do and how you operate? Are people working hard and at the same time enjoying what they’re doing? Do you have a sense that employees are valued or merely tolerated and seen as disposable? Are they trustworthy? Now it is time to get to the personal details.

At sea level. This is where things are right in front of you (maybe too close for some of us to evaluate objectively). Are you proud to work in this place, with this group of people? Is your boss supportive, available, and an advocate for you and your talents? Are you encouraged to broaden and deepen your knowledge and network, externally and internally? Is your personal life respected and possible? Are people excited and are successes celebrated? If things go wrong, is everyone looking for a solution or someone to blame? Are you heard? Can you be rewarded, financially and with other forms of recognition? Do you know what opportunities lie ahead and what you need to do to attain them? Would others help you get there? Are people looking forward to tackling the next challenge and seem genuinely driven to excellence? Is the commute, the hours, expectations reasonable? Do you want to advance and make a greater contribution?

It is rare a problem comes out of nowhere and few people make bad choices when they have enough information. Few bad decisions are made with the proper facts and a variety of perspectives. However, without a desire to look from various heights and angles, you stand the risk of a poor decision, particularly when it comes to your career and employer.

Ask yourself, “If a headhunter or recruiter called today, what would I think and say?