5 Signs It’s Time to Leave Your Well-Paid Job

Are you currently in a job situation that is comfortable enough, but you don't see future advancement opportunities? Whether it's an unsupportive manager, frequent organizational changes, a shrinking company, or ongoing office politics, this can leave you feeling frustrated and unfulfilled. Despite knowing that your job isn't helping you grow or utilize your full potential, you cannot bring yourself to leave.

In this video and blog, I want to share 5 signs it’s time to leave your well-paid job that does not serve you and discuss what you can do about it.

Why is it so difficult to leave a well-paid job?

1. Fear

You might fear that if you transition to another company, you'll have to prove yourself all over again, especially if you don't know anyone there. Understanding new stakeholder dynamics and building a network from scratch can be daunting. Additionally, you may worry that the new company won't offer the same level of compensation as your current one.

Furthermore, you might be anxious about not even knowing how to look for another job if you've been in the same place for many years. Your interview and job-hunting skills might feel rusty after such a long tenure.

On top of that, your confidence may have taken a hit at your current workplace, and you could be feeling emotionally drained. One of your deepest fears might be that making a change will lead you to an even worse working environment, and you doubt whether you have what it takes to achieve your career goals in a new setting.

2. Loyalty to Your Organization

Working in an organization for many years can create a strong sense of loyalty and belonging, both to the organization itself and to the team members and colleagues. My client, who has dedicated over 18 years to the same company, initially aspired to become the Vice President of Marketing. However, she faced rejection from her application five times over the years. Now, she even humorously refers to herself as the 'grandma' of the Director.

She reached a point where she felt that her chances of advancement within the company were slim, despite her long-term dedication. This led her to a crucial decision point: should she continue to wait her turn or pursue an executive role elsewhere? It was a heartbreaking moment for her. Even with a job offer in hand from another company where she would become a CMO in a medium-sized organization, she found it difficult to leave.

She felt a tremendous sense of guilt about leaving. She had celebrated every major milestone in her life within the company's walls, and she had shared in the joyful moments of so many colleagues' significant life events, from weddings to childbirth. She had contributed to the company's growth, including the creation of a new brand, and grew it into a global household name—it had become more than just a workplace; it was like a family.

Here are a few ideas to help coach yourself through this situation:

First, a company relies on your competence and capabilities to provide value. If you are no longer aligned with the company's expectations or if the company's goals and needs have shifted, they may no longer require your skills and competence, which could lead to a misalignment. For instance, if the company has changed its leadership team and the criteria for senior leadership roles, and your skills and contributions no longer match their requirements, it might indicate that a senior executive role in this organization is no longer suitable for you.

On the other side, evaluate whether the company is fulfilling your needs, your development, and your values as well. To do this, ask yourself three questions:

• Is the company offering a career path that will support my career growth?
• Does the company's culture align with my needs and values?
• Is the company recognizing my contributions through increased income, promotions, partnerships, or other forms of recognition that are important to me?

The company-employee relationship should be built on loyalty and commitment from both sides. It's transactional but goes beyond just achieving results and receiving a salary.

3. A Meaningful Vision

When you join a company, everyone works towards a shared mission or vision that the company constantly communicates and wants employees to relate to, such as building a future of sustainable transportation or advancing cancer research. In such cases, employees often feel that they are contributing to the greater good of humanity and the world. As a result, when one decides to leave such a company, it can feel like a selfish act or even like giving up on the shared vision, even if the company isn't making a significant impact on the world. The collaborative atmosphere inside the company, where everyone works together to achieve a common goal, creates a strong sense of belonging. It feels like you are a critical part of a team that can overcome any challenges and achieve ambitious goals. This feeling can be addictive and can make the downsides of the job seem less painful.

For instance, during my time at one of the industrial leaders, a market leader with a dominant market share, leaving the company to pursue a different path was often met with comments about giving up or not being willing to commit to realizing the company's full potential. However, those who left knew they were actually seeking personal growth. They were escaping from low pay in comparison to market standards, despite their extraordinary efforts, including working and traveling on weekends and dealing with stressful KPIs, sales targets, and profitability goals. These colleagues were searching for personal fulfillment and alignment with their values in life.

4. Nostalgia for What The Company Was

You've been with your company for over 10 years, experiencing great career growth until this point and feeling fully engaged in what you do. However, when changes occur, such as new leadership, a restructured organization, or shifts in strategic direction, you might find it challenging to adapt.

These organizational changes can evoke feelings of denial, frustration, and even depression. You might be hoping that the company will return to its former state, saying things like, 'Our company is no longer what it used to be. I don't even recognize it anymore. I don't understand where the top leadership is taking us.' If you catch yourself struggling to accept and adapt to the changes and start saying things like, 'I really like my company, so I don't want to leave,' instead of 'I love my job, so I don't want to leave,' it could indicate that you're stuck in the past.

5. Golden Handcuffs

Many employees receive a generous compensation package, leading comfortable lives. Sometimes, they fear that if they leave, they won't find another place that pays as well, especially when they have equities and stock options that mature over time. So, after enduring a distressing work environment, you may feel even more convinced that waiting for these benefits to materialize makes sense.

But here's the question: What would you be missing if you stay in the same place for one more year? It's not just about the material rewards; it's also about your personal passion, growth, and long-term well-being. Who are you becoming in this environment? Prolonged exposure to such conditions can negatively impact your health and overall happiness, and these emotions and frustrations from work can spill over into your personal life and affect your family.

So, the real question is, is it really worth it?

All of us experience moments where we must face difficult decisions: to let go of something that no longer serves our purpose. Decisions like a career change, however, need to be approached thoughtfully. I always advise my clients to carefully consider reinventing their current work before moving on. There are times when the right choice is to seek a fresh start somewhere else.

Here are a few signs that you can use to evaluate whether it's time to move on from your current job, which no longer provides you with the meaning you need for the new version of yourself:

1. You Are No Longer Growing or Learning

When you notice that your current job is no longer helping you grow, it's time to consider reinvention or making changes. Leaving a job is a big decision, so I always ask my clients to first explore if there are ways to redesign their job, expand their scope, look for short-term assignments, or apply for different positions. If these options aren't visible, talk with different stakeholders within your current organization. This can be a way to re-energize yourself and find renewed satisfaction in your work. Sometimes, all it takes is a change in perspective or speaking up and seeking additional assignments or projects to broaden your horizons.

However, if you've exhausted all possibilities within your organization and can no longer advance in your profession, nor do you feel recognized, it might be time to move on.

2. You're Not Given Opportunities to Be Visible

Performance is only one part of the equation that leads to long-term career success and job promotions. If your manager provides you with opportunities for higher visibility, such as assigning you high-profile projects or letting you lead cross-functional assignments, others will have the chance to witness your leadership and competencies. When people know what it's like to work with you and are aware of who you are and what you can achieve, you begin to establish your personal brand. As your brand grows, you become recognized as an expert or leader in meeting certain business needs.

This visibility, combined with your high performance, can open up new opportunities and pave the way for promotions. However, if your manager doesn't support your exposure and doesn't allow you to present your work to senior executives, it becomes extremely challenging to build awareness of your capabilities and personal brand. In this case, your career growth will be more difficult, and it may be time to explore new pathways for advancement.

3. You Feel Frustrated and Low Energy

When it's Sunday night, and you're already feeling the stress and frustration of going to work the next day, it's a sign. If you're typically someone who goes above and beyond but now find yourself doing just the bare minimum, questioning the point of giving extra effort, it's likely that you're feeling unfulfilled and frustrated.

If the work feels routine, or if you're consistently frustrated with various aspects of your role throughout most of the week, then the job may no longer be the right fit for you. However, you can certainly re-energize yourself by taking the initiative to volunteer for projects and connecting with colleagues who can make the job more enjoyable and engaging. Sometimes, giving yourself a chance to contribute at a new place, where you can maximize your impact, can be the best way to reignite your passion.

4. The Environment is Toxic

When you go to work, how do you feel? Do you feel good about yourself? Does your work impact your mental health, causing sleepless nights, or worse, do you bring work-related emotions or anger home to your family and friends? If you find yourself in a toxic work environment, it can manifest in various ways. For instance, you might receive feedback that doesn't make you feel helpful but rather degrades you. You might frequently complain to your family and friends about your challenging days at work.

You are unlikely to change your boss or fix the company culture. But before looking externally, I want you to take a moment to reflect on your own words and actions. Are you just a victim or also a contributor to the toxicity? For example, if you are active in gossiping, complaining, and consistently giving negative meanings to events or changes in your company, and you find yourself not only diminishing your own morale but also preventing others from achieving their goals, it's time to look inwardly. Ask yourself how you can change your own behavior.

However, if you are not engaging in such behaviors and the toxicity seems deeply rooted and difficult to improve, then it may be wise to explore opportunities outside of your current company.

5. Your values are being violated

If you're frustrated with your job, it's likely that at least one of your values is being violated. For example, if spending time with your family is very important to you, and your boss regularly asks you to travel over the weekend, it's a violation of your values. The best way to understand if your values are being violated is to clarify what you want and identify which values are negotiable and which are non-negotiable.

For instance, if spending a full weekend with your family is a non-negotiable value for you, you can communicate to your boss that you are willing to travel as early as possible on Monday morning to maximize the trip's efficiency while still ensuring you have a full weekend with your family. You can also emphasize that you will remain efficient during the trip and manage your meetings effectively to accomplish all goals for this trip. If your boss cannot respect this boundary, then the job may no longer align with your values.

If you work for an energy company and realize that your organization isn't transparent about its sustainability initiatives, and your management team consistently behaves and communicates dishonestly, especially in areas that go against your core values of ethics and transparency, it becomes a non-negotiable situation. In such cases, it may be in your best interest to consider pursuing external opportunities.

Always lean towards something positive or better when considering leaving your current job. You should quit to secure a more positive or impactful role rather than making an emotional decision to escape a negative situation. Maybe you have had enough and tried everything you can, leaving is the right choice, but not before you've identified something in the future that you have a good chance of loving.

Personally, I wouldn't leave without a plan in place. Many people leave their current positions with an open end, especially if they are financially secure or need the change. However, before making a final decision, ensure you have assessed the potential downsides. Even if you are certain that you are in the wrong job, think of the risks associated with leaving. This may include damaging existing relationships, losing needed income, or having a gap in your resume. On average, people change jobs about ten times in their lifetime, which equates to changing jobs approximately every four years. If you change jobs more frequently than that, companies may view you as a serial job hopper, which can negatively impact your reputation and your chances of securing a better position in the future.

If you are serious about advancing your career to the senior executive level and want to ensure that your next move is fulfilling, submit your application to the 1% Academy program, where I will personally coach and mentor you.

Book a free strategy call.

During the call, you will meet either myself or one of my team members. We will discuss your current career status, your goals, and evaluate if you are a good fit for the program.