Should I Leave My Current Employer

Most of us have thought, “Should I quit my job, leave the company, say ‘adios’ to the boss.” Like many impulses, they are fleeting and probably a healthy release.

However, what happens when those thoughts become frequent, and you find yourself spending more and more time either planning your escape or daydreaming about your next move?

As an executive coach, I hear these questions often. When directly asked (even when my brain is screaming No! or Yes!) I refuse to answer. It’s not my call. What we can do is explore the issues, weigh the options, and then you can make the decision.

Before the process begins it is important you decipher whether you want to change your job or change your career. There is a big difference with those two.

For this article, I am assuming you like and are competent in your specific field or sector and want to continue in it. You are not a lawyer looking to become a museum curator or looking for some other significant career change.

Also, as a coach I would be interested, and possibly concerned, if you thought your job was at immediate risk or jeopardy. If that were probable, it would require us to accelerate the exploration, planning, timetable, and actions. It would not change most of the questions below.

Here are some questions I might ask you:

1. What is making you unhappy? Is it the work, the place, the culture, or your boss? The solutions to each of these might be different and not necessarily calling for you to quit your current employer.
2. How are things different from six months or a year ago? What changed — you, the environment, the work, or the people around you? Is it temporary or the new status quo?
3. Is the company in trouble? This is a serious question. You either know things are bad, or you have a sense they are. Get as many facts as possible; internally and externally. Read as much as you can about your employer and their competition. Avoid being a gossip but listening to the rumblings is imperative. Ramp-up your networking. Get back on your budget diet if money is tight.
4. Has your learning curve softened? For many smart, ambitious people, boredom is treacherous. Is it the job you want to quit, or would you really like more of the work? Can that happen at your current place?
5. Is there a future where you are? What are the next levels and opportunities? Is there room to advance and can the budget increase compensation? Are there venues to increase your exposure to higher-ranking people? If work is stagnant, the result is you might become so too.
6. How’s your physical health? For some of us stress and sadness are first felt physically. Tired all the time? Have aches and pains? Out sick more often? These are signs something is up. Listen to your body. Get checked out by a doctor. Think about how stress is impacting you. Decide what to do about it. Leaving the job might be the answer.
7. Is your work-life balance totally out of wack? Successful people know there is no such thing as perfect balance, but there are limits. If you never see your kids awake, weekends are just two more days to work, and e-mails arrive at 2:00 am, I will ask, “Is this the life you want and need?” Now, if you are in your first year at a prestigious, hard driving organization, this might be the dues you have to pay. The problems develop and thoughts of leaving the job occur when this becomes the norm.
8. Can’t stand your boss? He marginalizes. She bullies. They’re insulting, demeaning, screamers. He’s out for him and it’s all about her. I would love to say HR can fix this, but I would be reciting a fairytale (sorry HR pros). The best plan is escape, probably by transferring or quitting.
9. Is the timing right? When are promotions, salary increases, and bonuses announced and distributed? Will you be leaving money, or a new title, on the table? If all or some of those meet or exceeded your expectations, would it change your view of your current job and/or the company?
10. Are there opportunities within your current company? Can you move to another department, division, or affiliate? This is generally an easier move and creates less bad blood between you and the organization. Just make sure to do full exploration into what is being offered.
11. Do you have a better offer? This is a challenging but great position. Ask yourself all the questions and see if the alternative is an improvement. Job offers are exciting but can be blinding. Prospective employers put their best foot forward, paint a beautiful vision, and make promises. Do your homework, talk with colleagues, and confer with your executive coach. Sometimes the grass is greener; sometimes the green is just weeds.
12. Do you really need a change? This is the simplest question and maybe the hardest one to answer. It’s the area where the most coaching is needed.

Most people do not want to just quit. Leaving a position has risk and therefore needs to be well planned and thought-out. Asking yourself these questions is one way to begin. Working with an executive coach would get you there even faster, more professionally, and with less stress.