Why You Need To Leave Your Job … Now!

Fear. It is at the root of most problems and all anxiety. Of course fear is the only thing to fear. Fear comes from a deep inner belief that you won't be able to handle whatever it is that life throws at you. Panic is simply not knowing what to do. Fear, anxiety, panic are all mind made problems that convince us that we cannot prevail. On the contrary, you can, you already have.Read on.

 Fear is often at the heart of moving job. That's not a good enough reason to stay especially if it grabs your stomach and makes Monday mornings something awful. Fear and anxiety can create paralysis and that is worse than the thoughts of leaving.

Of course, it’s a cliché to say every business is driven by people. The problem is, many bosses are conflicted by their own insecurity, ego, agenda or flaws. Unfortunately, they can take all of that out on you.For you, failure is staying in a job with a tyrannical leader. Success often emerges from the far side of failure.

You know you need to leave. You know it's now but you don't quite have the courage. You put it off and try to convince yourself it’s okay. However, to conquer that false feeling, you have to expose yourself to a little self-doubt. Soon, you will utter those immortal words "Why didn't I do that sooner?" As the Susan Jeffers book says "Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway".

Here's my take on why you need to rethink where you are and where you’re going and, if your inner voice is saying you should go - you probably should go.

I'm Just Not Happy

You need to leave if you dread going to work. The best work is done when people are fulfilled and that creates happiness. Happiness removes fear but some managers create artificial happiness as a tool to control you.

Happiness is a temporary state but ask yourself if you are fulfilled. Happiness is the automatic outcome if you are.

Monday and Friday

You need to leave if Friday is euphoric and Monday is a dreaded Hell.

Work is not life, it is a part of life. If you are remotely close to the above Monday and Friday feelings you need to ask yourself if those extreme swings are worth it. Good jobs, with good employers should mean there’s very little difference between both Monday and Friday.

 He’d Hang You to Save His Own Skin.

Some years back, I sat in on a very tense meeting. They boss wanted cuts, serious cuts. The room was full of managers, many of them average. But when push came to shove and the spotlight shone on them, they hung their subordinates to save their own neck.

Although pirates inevitably perish, they create carnage because of their selfish desire to save themselves.

 You Threaten Him

You need to leave if your boss employed you but then realised you were better than him.

Oh Dear! Knowing he was exceptionally fortunate to have reached such dizzy heights, his number one goal is to protect his lofty luxury nest. If you threaten that, you will see his ability to focus on your demise. You’re better than him, it’s time to go.

 You Aren’t Learning

At the interview they all seemed very nice. Nice not necessarily ambitious, bright or focused. Just nice. They just want you to ‘do the job’ nothing more. On the contrary, you want to learn, develop, grow and succeed. Look around. Is that the culture? If not, it’s unlikely to change anytime soon. Start polishing your CV.

"Training is for Soldiers”

If you heard this, you need to really think about leaving. A business owner said this to me once. It told me everything and answered every question I had been observing.

Good companies, good employers and good bosses believe in training. They want to develop you. Why on earth would anyone want the opposite?

Your Career Path

A dream without vision might just turn into a Nightmare, your Nightmare.

A really good boss can always see your future. They have Vision. They share it and nurture it with you.

If they can’t see your future they have no vision. A company, or leader, with no vision simply has no idea where it is going. I’m sure that’s a reason, in itself, to think about saying “Farewell”.

The Games Master

If your Boss or Employer is a head game fan, leave them to it. It’s definitely time to go.

I Can’t Get In and I Can’t Get a Word In

Great Bosses, no matter how busy, make time when you need it. If your boss is constantly saying “Don’t have a minute, another time” make sure the ‘other time’ is spent with people who value you.

If your Boss is a talker rather than a listener then he doesn’t hear you. If he doesn’t hear you, he’s out of touch. Wouldn’t you rather be in the hands of someone who is?

You’re My Favourite

We have all seen the boss’ pet. Thing is, Pets don’t last but favouritism is not forgotten. If you’re losing out because their pet is safely installed then it’s unlikely that’ll change. Then again, would you want to stay where that’s the case? It might be you who needs to change?

 No Value on Values

If there are no values, you need to leave.

Early in our career, our first employer and boss, is our hero and guide. How they behave is something you’re acutely aware of.

I remember one of my very first managers openly being highly creative with his expenses. I remember another who refused to charge for mileage because he felt he was “just doing my job”.

Guess which one went on to greater things and guess which one I left?

 He’s a Bully.

If your boss is a bully. Go. Now. Fast. Quicker.

No time to talk, persuade, act or more. Grab your coat. Go, go, go.

 I Spy

You need to leave if your boss thinks work is The Cold War.

Or maybe I should say “I the Spy”

I know a manager who spends hours, every day, spying on his Staff with CCTV. It’ll be an interesting day when his boss asks him what he achieved this week. Aren’t Spies usually charged with treason? Paranoia is not reason to stay.

 Volcanic People

If the atmosphere is hotter than Hell, you need to leave.

It sounds like a tribe and maybe they are. People who lose their temper are unpredictable and immediately lose trust from peers. Without trust there can be no respect and if you don’t respect your brand, Boss or Employer, you need to dig out your CV.

 Finally

I have sat in on enough interviews in my career to dispense a very simple piece of advice, especially to younger readers.

Good interviews really just seek the truth. Sometimes we can take on a sense of guilt for either explaining these kind of reasons and sometimes we might feel the need to even apologise for them. Don’t.

Good companies and good interviewers, working in the right kind of culture, will see way beyond the barriers and barbed wire that you had to escape. They will admire your courage and see your strength. They are good reasons to hire you … and value you.After all, where on your contract did it ever say “You will be obliged to accept any or all of the above?No. You’re better than that. You deserve to be you. Go. Never regret what you did to give yourself the best career possible.And if you stay? That’s great … that’s also an entirely valid choice.

Only you can decide.