I want to quit

The stress in her voice and her teary eyes made it clear that this was not a rash decision, but rather something that had been weighing on her for a while.

This happened some time ago with a high value employee, was a teaching moment and has left a lasting impact on me. As we talked more, I realized that her decision to quit was influenced by multiple factors and that quitting was not the best option for her, or for the company.

Many will consider quitting at some point in their career. This could be due to different reasons from changes in personal circumstances, career opportunities, company culture or management to more topical factors such as post pandemic related stress, burnout or hybrid remote work arrangements. More professionals are also learning to identify their genuine career and life goals and are willing to make changes to achieve them.

It is generally accepted that the success of a company depends on productive employees that are engaged, motivated, and satisfied with their jobs. As human beings, we will also experience ups and downs in life and at work, and may feel unfulfilled in our current roles.

Quitting should not be taken lightly, and the grass is not always greener on the other side. Reflecting on a situation is essential before making the decision to quit:

-?????????Identify the root cause of the problem by assessing the situation to explain what is causing us to feel unhappy or unfulfilled in the current job. Is it the work we are doing, mobility, the company culture, reward and recognition or the people we work with? are some good questions to ask.

-?????????Communicate honestly with a supervisor to discuss personal concerns while being specific about what is not working to help identify possible solutions and get the team to potentially offer support, resources, or remedies that have not been previously considered.

-?????????Seek feedback from close colleagues, mentors, or friends who have faced similar challenges to gain a different perspective and get some additional insight, advice or solutions that haven't been considered.

-?????????Consider other roles within the same organization especially if only unhappy in current job and feeling that skillset and experience may be better suited for a different department which can ultimately benefit both employee and company.

-?????????Prioritize physical and mental wellbeing to avoid burnout from chronic workplace stress, and actively practice self-care by exercising, sleeping well, and spending time with loved ones or even potentially asking for help and counselling.

Being honest and holding each other accountable in the workplace is important because it can help foster a culture of transparency, trust, care and respect at any company.

As employees, we should communicate our needs, expectations, and concerns to our managers and colleagues, but also have a shared responsibility to help resolve the issues that are causing us to consider quitting.

As leaders, it is important to create a culture that supports employee wellbeing and addresses critical challenges that may be impacting morale and job satisfaction. Fostering open communications can create a workplace where employees feel valued, heard, and supported.

There will be bumps on every road, both at work and at home. Pausing, reflecting, and redirecting can be helpful in any situation. Although this may take time and effort, and requires us to be honest and accountable, it can help motivate and inspire us and others to grow and keep moving forward.?

Readers are welcome to share their insights and comments below.

Best wishes to everyone. Stay safe and healthy.