Knowing when to go

In 2023 we’ve already seen two leading politicians resign from their jobs.

Jacinda Ardern, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, and one of the most successful leaders during the pandemic, decided to quit. In her leaving speech she said that she knew the demands of her job and “I know that I no longer have enough in the tank to do it justice”.

Nicola Sturgeon, the leader of the Scottish National Party and first Minister of Scotland also resigned. Her speech said “In my head and in my heart I know that the time is now, that it’s right for me, for my party and my country.”

These decisions were interesting because both politicians appeared to have widespread support in their respective parties. Yet they also spoke of unseen pressure. They showed how exhausting it must be to work in today’s political climate, particularly as leaders who happen to be women. And they also showed a willingness to trust your own definition of done.

Which is radical.?

Making the choice

We’re so used to seeing leaders forced out of their roles these days, fighting a scandal or undermined by their own teams. The news stories written about leaders who are considered to be outstaying their welcome are unpleasant and relentless. That’s why I have respect for these leaders' decisions to leave on their own terms. They seem to be drawing a line under a period of intense pressure and success, which came at a personal cost only they know. They are not waiting for someone else to decide for them.?

The business world isn’t the brutal public stage of world politics, thankfully. Yet knowing when to leave is tough in all of our jobs. Part of this is human loss aversion, the psychological bias we have towards valuing things we have more than those we could have. How many of us have been in the scenario of knowing a role or responsibility wasn’t right any more, but not been sure what to do next. Is it worth the gamble to leave??Is it sustainable to stay?

Prolific quitting?

I’ve often been fascinated by 'prolific quitters'. These are people I’ve worked with who have a very low tolerance for their jobs no longer suiting them. They didn’t care about a minimum length of time served for their CV or about leaving projects at a crucial time. They were simply fed up with aspects of their working environment. After giving feedback and proposing changes, they saw no improvement and walked out.

It was exciting to watch the drama and their refusal to compromise. But privilege plays a role in this behaviour pattern. It’s easier to do this as a higher earner with savings and a supportive partner who is also working. It’s safer to jump ship if you know that your network and contacts will hook you up with the next opportunity. It isn’t an option to which all have equal access.?

Staying the course?

I’ve also seen a lot of tenacious loyalty. The people who are slowly ground down by each day, but simply keep going. This place has been good to me, they reason, even though it was only good 10 years ago and since then many aspects were going downhill. Privately they may doubt they would be as successful elsewhere. Isn’t it the unique combination of the people and the luck of circumstance that’s got them to where they are? Best not to rock the boat.

That’s the behaviour I saw modelled in my own family. You work hard and you keep going, and when it gets too much you moan about it round the kitchen table or in the pub. But most of the time, you stay loyal.?

New options

I wonder if we are seeing a new era of being realistic about times when we need to slow down. Perhaps also of being honest that work is not the only priority.

Jacinda Ardern talked about wanting to marry her partner and spend more time with her child. Nicola Sturgeon talked about going for walks and coffee with friends, simple activities that well-known politicians can't easily do. She’s also been open about suffering a miscarriage in the past, and about her experience with the menopause. For generations we had to pretend these issues didn’t happen or affect us in the workplace. Perhaps now we can see they take a toll and sometimes we might need to regroup, step away and prioritise ourselves.?

I’ve no doubt that both these leaders will go on to great achievements.

And it’s partly because they knew when to go.?