Does your job/company/team still fit you?

As the world starts to come through what almost feels like the other side of the pandemic. A common prediction is the impending “great resignation”. The thought is that the organisations that force a return to the office will see a significant portion of their workforce look for fully remote or at least hybrid roles. Conversely but on a much smaller scale according to the research some organisations that are closing all their office locations may lose some people who are looking for that social work hub.

In my opinion life is far too short to be in a job role that you don’t love or to work for shit bosses or companies whose attitudes do not align with your own. I am sympathetic to individual circumstance that mean that the ability to choose is extremely limited.

I liked Jimmy Carr’s analogy for the pandemic being like an extended half time on life. It’s like we got 15 minutes (2 years) to take a break, have an orange and see if our game plan is still going to help us win the game. Whether you agree with the analogy or not I think most people would agree that it was a period of reflection for almost everyone.

A lot of people took the opportunity to make a radical change and did that early on. Others wanted to preserver with the first 10 minutes of the second half before making an adjustment. Businesses are making decisions that are right for them. Some need the vibrations that an in-office buzz creates. Others are looking to source the best talent no matter where they are in the world. Others are looking to offer the best of both in some form of hybrid approach.

Whilst businesses are making an adjustment. Individuals are also looking at what “new normal” they want. Does a traditional 9-5 in an office work? Does a traditional 9-5 in any form still work? Does your personal circumstance lend itself to working in an office or working from home or from anywhere?

I have had conversations with a lot of people who are in the consideration phase. These individuals typically have a sense that the role/company/team they are in may not be a good fit for them anymore. I accept that it’s almost impossible for everyone to love the jobs they do as there are some jobs out there that need to be done and various circumstances drive people to make decisions that that may need lead to a job that is not their ideal. But I do believe that people have far more control over this than they currently believe.

A theme I have realised from those in that consideration phase is that many have no idea what they really want, and they have very little in the way of a plan to get there. In a previous post I made, I spoke about how I arrived at choosing Firstbase for my next career move and how my analytical mind produced a scoring mechanism based on key personal criteria. I was in a fortunate position where I didn’t have to leave my current role, but I knew I needed my next challenge.

The scoring mechanism was focused on various company attributes and what it was that I wanted/expected from a new role. Prior to deciding what I wanted from a company I was able to use a significant amount of previous training/learning to identify key elements of my own personality and desires. The training helped me to identify how I work best, what my personality profile lends itself too, what I like and respond well too/what I don’t and why I struggle with other elements or get triggered by different events.

Not everyone will get an opportunity to undertake external courses or assessments although there are several free or cost-effective tools out there. I have listed a few below and would encourage comments with alternative tools people have used.

My process for getting a better understanding of myself which I have walked through with many other people involves a pen and paper and a series of spider diagrams (although I am all for a digital version that works for you). Some of the titles for centre of the spider diagram include but not limited to:

- What do I want from life? I split this into a material list and an emotional/behavioural/personal development list?

- What do I want in a boss and how do I like to be managed?

- What do I want from the company I work for??

- What would I consider to be my skills? It’s also a good exercise to get people around you to do this on your behalf to see if there is a commonality you don’t give yourself credit for

- What would I consider my weaknesses, as above make sure that others have input into this. Especially those who can be brutally honest in a genuine attempt to make you better who won’t irritate you by delivering it as a punch to gut and not a gentle arm around the shoulder (unless you are someone who needs the punch)

- What are my genuine interests?

- What are my genuine interests?

- What are my core beliefs?

- What brands/leaders do I admire

- What are my non-negotiable commitments that work is unable to interfere with?

As you start to collate this you end up with a documented point of view that includes a plan with a set of goals and ideally a timeframe to work to. You have a sense of what you want from a boss and a company and your non-negotiable personal items that work is unable to interfere with.?A list of your skills and weaknesses. Whilst this is rudimentary it surprises me that people do not make the effort to undertake these exercises. We all know people who are in the wrong job for their personality type, we all know people who fell into a career and stayed there because they didn’t know there was an alternative.

I’m not in recruitment, I’m not a career advisor. I just whole heartedly believe that if a job/company/team does not make you feel excited to turn up every day and align with your beliefs and your strengths then you should go and explore other options that might give you what you need.

Always happy to talk through the process and explore options with someone who is considering making a change. This is also a huge conversation and one I have barely scratched the surface of but was keen to create a post that might get seen by someone in the consideration phase.

16 Personalities - Free

Truity - Free

Understand myself - $10

High5Test – Free

If you would like to speak with a personal development coach I would highly recommend Tim Robins