When to Quit Your Job, if You're a Leader

I was speaking with an executive the other day who said she had been thinking about quitting her job for some time now. I asked her why she didn’t just do that. She explained that occasionally she had a few good days where she enjoys coming to work and that she had a great compensation package. Yet, on most days she feels unfulfilled at work.

Another executive told me that he had plans to begin his job search, as he sensed his time might be up with his current employer. He never put those plans into action. Several months later, he was out on the street due to a merger. Remaining in his comfort zone has caused him a whole lot of discomfort, as he tries to find employment.

Making a life-changing decision like quitting your job doesn’t come easy, especially when you’ve reached the top of the organization. You may have a noncompete agreement prohibiting you from working for a competitor for a certain period or a carrot like a year-end bonus that are keeping you going. Or another round of stock options that are due to vest.

Take it from me. There will never be the perfect time to quit. But that doesn’t mean you should remain in your current situation.

Here are five questions to consider when evaluating if it's time to quit or remain in your current position.

1. Am I having fun at work?

This is a question that I always ask my executive coaching clients. You'd be surprised how many people either don't know or can't say yes.

If you have to think about whether or not you're having fun at work, chances are you're not. And if you're spending most of your waking hours at work and not enjoying yourself, then why are you still there?

2. Does your boss value what you do?

Do your boss and your colleagues appreciate the value you bring to the organization? Are you getting the support you need to improve your department?

You have a seat at the executive table. However, is your voice being heard? This is probably the number one reason why people contact me when seeking an executive coach. They realize their influence is waning.

When caught early, you can turn this situation around. If it's gone on for too long, then the only choice left may be to depart.

3. Am I still learning or am I merely going through the motions?

With a new job, comes excitement. Every day you are learning something new. At some point, that’s no longer the case. You shift into autopilot, and it’s hard to differentiate one day from the next.

Do you still find your job satisfying? If not, consider moving on.

4. Has a promised promotion gone to someone else?

You were told you'd be running the department by year-end. Then something unexpected happened. You received notification that someone else had been awarded the job you'd been promised.

There's never been a better time to change jobs. Companies are desperately seeking people like you.

It's time to take your head out of the sand and face the obvious. You've gone as far as you're going to go in your current organization. Now that you know this, what will you do with this information?

5. Is there a new boss in town, who is bringing in his team?

Are you sitting by and watching your colleagues being replaced by people who the boss knows and trusts? What makes you think your number won't be up shortly?

You're in a much better position to negotiate a new deal when you're employed than when you're not. Now's the time to take action.

If your work is no longer making you happy, then I say quit!

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