5 Signs A Crushing Breakup Is Coming

Are you bored, restless, wishing you could do more in your current job? Those are sure signs that you, or your boss may need a change. Here are five more signs that you MUST pay attention to – or risk being miserable for the foreseeable future.

 1. Same Drama, Different Day

You’ve probably heard the phrase, “If you’re not the lead dog, the scenery never changes.”   If you’ve been working at the same position in the same company over a number of years, it’s easy to become complacent. Especially if you haven’t gotten any kind of promotion or advancement during that time frame.  

If you’ve been at the same company for 3-5 years, and your career path has stalled, it may be time to move to another company, one with more opportunity.  Obviously, in a smaller company, advancement may come more quickly. In a larger firm, it may take more time to move forward. Either way, you’re looking at a chance to grow. So, if you feel your career has gotten “stuck,” don’t hesitate to make the move to a different company. Marriage counselors would suggest counseling for the same arguments over and over. If there are the same dull feelings in business and the excitement and motivation has worn off, then you may need to take a break.

 2. Lack of Interest And Attention From Your Boss

Your immediate boss may not be providing you with specific reinforcement or direction. They may not be providing you with new responsibilities, and may seem to have forgotten your place in their department. With such a lack of feedback, there’s no way to move your career forward. New responsibilities allow you to learn trends within the industry, making you marketable and keeping you engaged. If your current boss doesn’t take an interest in your career path, it’s beyond time for a change. If your current partner does not take interest in your interests, share in your family events, or try to be empathetic to your needs, you should move on. It is the same with a boss, who may be not interested, going through a personal challenge , or just unqualified for the role. My suggestion is to part ways for someone who listens to you, believes in you, and has your best interests at heart. Trust is earned.

 3. You’re Not Learning Or Excited To Be There

New responsibilities bring a new understanding of your business and new ideas for completing your everyday tasks. Learning is probably one of the most important components of our jobs. If your learning curve has flattened, boredom affects your performance and resentment (as in, “negative thoughts”) may cloud your judgement. If you’ve shared these concerns with your boss and those concerns are continuously disregarded, this is a sign your superiors are not engaged in your career development. Time to move on. Attitude will drive your experience. If their are gaps, holes, mistrust, and you are left on your own to much, you will not learn. Partnering with a mentor, or buddy can help for a short time. If your boss has not suggested trainings, it may be time to move on.

 4. Divorces Are Constant

I’m not a fan of following the crowd; however, when the turnover rate is significant (especially when quality employees are leaving on a constant basis), it may be time to move on.  This is a sign that upper management may not appreciate their employees. It may also be a sign the company is getting ready for a major change, be it organization, industry environment or a takeover. People leave bosses not jobs or companies. It can just be a breakdown of communication. Maybe you truly do not understand each other. Maybe you have different values, or expectations. Maybe you just think differently, but do not collaborate to find a meaningful solution. If you cannot chat with your boss in the am because of meetings, and then the boss is too stressed by the evening to discuss issues, it may cause resentment. Playing golf, doing yoga, and squash, and no time for you or any employee can be depressing, it may be time to leave. You deserve better. Never settle. Find a manager who respects you, and values you and wants you to succeed. They want to take the time to be with you, train you, and show you that you are important. Everyone does exactly what is important to them. There is time for everyone. If you are important to your boss, they will make time. If your manager is always taking others to lunch, and not you, you may sense there may be other issues. Lunch is a great time to catch up and discuss problems, or issues, but if they cannot even grab a lunch with you. Move on! Next!

 5. Re-structuring

“Constancy” is critical in every business model. You see it with every sports team. When a team continually changes personnel, they’re seldom successful (as a long time Dolphin’s fan, I know). A company that is always  changing their upper management or regularly announces a “re-org” has leadership issues.

It’s very difficult to be successful when you’re constantly trying to learn a new system. You’ve mastered a certain system, then that system is changed again. While it’s good to learn to adapt to change, those changes that don’t move the company forward are a concern. 

Constant “re-org” change is a sign of company weakness – and a key indicator that you need to move on to something better and more stable. Be pro-active. You can never just settle in. We are on a contract. We are just a number. If you are single, you are just that single. If you are an employee, the sad truth is, there is no loyalty and tenure or pensions at most companies. You need to look out for you and your family. You need to be always connected and networked. A boss can decide you are fired at anytime, just like a partner can decide that he or she is in love with someone else and leave in a moment's notice. You will never see it coming. It can be crushing to be fired or dumped in a relationship. The idea is to be ahead of the curve. Never settle. Take calls from recruiters, and know where your next move is at all times. You deserve to be happy and have someone who appreciates you. Someone who manages your strengths, and supports your flaws and accepts that you are the best there is, and they should be happy to have you and get you promoted. When you leave, they may miss you. It may take a while, but you will grow and learn something new. Better managers are out there. Companies who are generous with better benefits, and can pay you more, or give you better work hours. There are friends at companies who will not stab you in the back, and you will not have to pretend to be politically correct. There is a better boss, who will make sure you have the supports needed to get promoted. You can just be yourself, the happy professional, who adds value every day, and is excited to wake up every am. Go find your new job today. Don't get crushed, it is not worth the tears.