To Innovate, You Might Need to Quit Your Job. Here Are a Few Ways to Go About It.

Think about the things that have most impacted our world. The railroad and highway systems. Electricity. Airplanes. The internet.

All of these advances come down to one thing: innovation.

Innovation is what allows us to change the world, and deep down, that’s what we all want, isn’t it? To have an impact. To leave behind a legacy we can be proud of.

But the unfortunate truth is that not every work environment allows for innovation, and whether you’ve admitted it to yourself or not, you already know whether innovation can thrive at your current workplace. 

When you look at the people in your office, are they hungry to hear new ideas? If you present an innovative suggestion, will they ask to hear more, or tell you all the reasons it won’t work?

If you’re reading this article, I’m guessing it’s the latter, and that means it’s time to look outside your current organization. You can try and fix the culture, but that’s a herculean task. You have a far better chance of making an impact by quitting your job and taking your talents elsewhere.

Of course, you shouldn’t quit your job without having a plan in place. So let’s take a look at three ways you can move to an environment more conducive to innovation.

Move to a Different Company

The first strategy is to stay within your same industry but move to a company that has a culture that supports innovation. 

This option is a great choice if you are risk-averse and hesitant to make a large career leap. You will still be working in an area you’re comfortable with, but you’ll be putting yourself in an environment where you have the opportunity to explore new projects and ideas.

I don’t care what industry you’re in; there are a lot of companies doing similar things to yours but with a different philosophy. If you make mattresses, you can find another mattress company that looks at the world in a different way. There’s a mattress firm out there trying to use less impactful materials, trying to shrink the emissions involved in the supply chain, trying to provide free beds to foster kids. 

If the desire is there, you can find your match. You can join a place that shares your goals and lets you innovate to your heart’s desire. 

Move to a Different Industry

If you feel like you’re stuck in a career rut and want to shake things up even more than simply moving companies, you can move to a different industry. 

This is what I did after working at GE for ten years. Today, I run my own company, Truman’s—a non-toxic cleaning products company—but when I was considering leaving GE, I wasn’t ready to do something as unconventional as Truman’s. That required breaking free from corporate America and becoming an entrepreneur, as well as doing new things in an old industry. 

At the time, I couldn’t imagine that. So, I took a midsized leap into a smaller, more agile corporate company, in which I could have a real impact on its sustainability. The company I chose was Big Ass Fans, a manufacturer of industrial and commercial ceiling fans.

Compared to GE’s more than 300,000 employees, Big Ass Fans’ staff of 1,300 was a big change. The company’s smaller size and work culture allowed for more innovation, and I was able to have the kind of impact I’d always wanted to have at GE.

When moving to a different industry, you can choose something adjacent to your current work, like I did with Big Ass Fans, or you could look at the problems of the world, think about what kind of impact you want to make, and then look for jobs aligned with that goal.

Start Your Own Company

Your final option is to start your own company. It’s the riskiest option, but it can also be the most rewarding. One of the most important factors to consider when starting your own company is money. It takes a lot of money to start a business.

If you’re struggling to pay off college loans, wrangling a big mortgage, or trying to support four young kids and only just making ends meet, maybe you don’t want the financial risk of your own business. That’s okay. Just don’t use that as an excuse for inaction. Remember that there are other ways you can start doing more fulfilling, innovative work.

Money can also influence how much freedom you have at your company. Many people want to start their own company because they want to have complete freedom. In truth, it’s not likely that you’ll be independent of all influence, especially when external funding is involved. 

For instance, my business partner and I were fortunate to have a good financial cushion when we started Truman’s, but we still needed to go out and raise capital to help us continue to grow. 

Now, we’re somewhat influenced by the knowledge that others are invested in our success. For us, that is worth it, though. We’ve created a company based on what we believe is important, and we’re making a real difference in the world.

Commit to Doing Something

I don’t suggest these moves lightly. Leaving a company you’ve committed your time and energy to is a big move, but you can’t make big leaps without big movement. If you’re stuck in a career rut, the antidote is to move. If you feel like you’re not doing anything significant with your life, you need to start doing things. 

You can’t simply say that you want to innovate. You must hold yourself accountable to your desire to do more. 

If you think innovation is possible in your current environment, then make it happen. Schedule a meeting with your leadership team, write notes on what you want to present, and then share your ideas.

If several months go by and you’re still stuck in the same place, it’s probably because your environment doesn’t really encourage innovation, and it’s time for more drastic action. Work on your résumé. Meet with people connected to a company you’d like to work with. Build your public profile to get your name out there and become recognized by those you want to connect with.

And then, when you have a plan in place, quit your job. Start your own company or find someplace where you can pursue the work that will bring you more fulfillment. Do something.

For more advice on innovation, you can find The Elephant’s Dilemma on Amazon.