n January, the big career question for many is, should I stay or go? 2014 is the year of the horse – all about strength, capability and success. But when it comes to career moves, many ambitious people will ride the wrong horse. They will act impulsively, and jump onto something new without fully thinking it through. With rose-tinted spectacles on future opportunities, many will fail fully to appreciate what they already have. So what is the best way to think about big career moves? Take Stock Fully And Avoid The Traps The first trap many of us fall into is overly to focus on our current remuneration. I don’t believe that pay should be the primary consideration, but when we do assess it, I think the right way to think of is this: ‘Am I close to being paid what I contribute?’ If yes, then great, and if that amount is not enough, then perhaps you need to think about how you can contribute more. If no, then you are probably not fully valued or the company doesnt care enough to pay you well. So what are the other key questions and considerations? (1) Am I In The Right Company? Yes, if the company is either… the best in the sector growing and challenging the best doing something pioneering turning itself around and setting up for future success If the company hasn’t got momentum or isn’t going places, then it may not be the place for a ambitious leader. (2) Am I In The Right Role? Ideally, your current role should be: playing to your talents and your passions giving you great experiences and developing you for the future setting you up for future roles which could develop you even further If this doesn’t sound like your current role, then maybe it’s not right role for you. (3) Does My Company Have The Right Leadership? Do those at the top of your company have an inspiring vision for your future? Do they have the belief, energy and commitment to make it happen? Can they lead through the ups and the downs? Under the current leadership team, do you feel have the opportunity to contribute directly, having an influence on the company direction and key decisions? Do they trust and belief in you? If not, then maybe your company’s leadership is not be the right leadership for you. (4) Am I Getting The Right Experience & Development? The most ambitious people sometimes get wrapped on their quest to get to the top or to achieve a particular job title, rather than seeing their progress as apprenticeship in leadership. The best leaders are more driven by working out how they can add the most value, while gaining great business leadership experiences, different personal leadership experiences and finally life experiences along the way. If you’re not gaining valuable professional experience and developing along the way, the this could be a reason to look elsewhere. (5) Am I On The Right Career Path? Is there a either a defined career path, or opportunities likely to become available as the company moves forward? If not, then it might be opportunity to look for a new environment to grow and develop yourself. However, before you change your LinkedIn headline to “actively seeking opportunities”, do bear that no company is perfect. In fact, most are far from perfect and many are actually dysfunctional. So take care before you leap. If a majority of your answers to the questions above were in fact positive, then consider any change carefully. Maybe there is a case to stay. Equally, Take A Hard Look At Yourself In The Mirror If you answered many of the above questions negatively, a good question to ask yourself is: ‘I feel like I’m not in the right place, because of lack of success, opportunities, experiences and overall fulfillment; but how much of this is to do with myself?’ Take a hard look at yourself in the mirror and ask: Am I really as good as I want to believe? Do I have a shadow in my behavior and character that holds me back? Does my contribution really match my ambition? Am I Being Impatient? The Curse Of Generation Now Without wanting to over-generalize or sound like an old curmudgeon, I do believe that some of us can suffer from what I’m going to call the ‘millennials’ curse’… the curse of Generation Now. My sense from some of the new generation entering the workforce for the first time is that, yes, they have the vision to see the potential of the business and the impact that they can make on it, but at the same time, there’s a sense of entitlement. Millennials want it all – success, money, freedom, happiness, instant recognition. If they’re not getting it in all areas, they are minded to go elsewhere rather than stick at it and make it work. Millennials might think that they can be the next Steve Jobs, but think for a moment about the man himself, who once said: “I’m convinced that about half of what separates the successful entrepreneurs from the non-successful ones is pure perseverance.” Is The Grass Really Greener On The Other Side? Do take a moment to ask ‘What I am giving up? Better the devil you know?’ In your current company, there’s an embedded value, which might express itself in terms of personal reputation, budgets, expense accounts or share options. By giving up the equity you’ve created from previous efforts, are you forgoing future value? Your reputation and standing in the company can give funding for your initiatives and a platform which you might lose, such as the ability to represent the company in the media, and at industry events such as Davos. Maybe most important of all, think about the relationships and friendships you have. It’s so important to work with people who have integrity and care. Right now, it is likely that that people genuinely care for you, and those relationships could be lost. In a new company, you’ll be judged by new standards (without the benefit of the goodwill you have accumulated in the past), whereas in your existing company, the leaders and people around you are more likely to accept you for who you are – both for your good and bad points. Transition Can Have A Downside As Well As An Upside When you move to a new job, essentially you’re moving on a promise... of the role, company success, organization culture and leadership. It all looks amazing on paper, but in reality, will the transition work? Over the next year, are you confident that you’ll be able to come through and make your next move a success? So Should I Stay Or Should I Go Now? The Clash: “Darling you gotta let me know… should I stay or should I go?” I hope that this above article is a useful checklist when considering your options. Ultimately, it’s down to you… you have to make a conscious decision, taking account of your head, your gut and your heart. As Tony Robbins said, “It is in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped.” So once you’ve decided, don’t procrastinate: either make a firm commitment to stay where you are and give it your all, or fully commit to taking on a new challenge somewhere else. Whatever you decide, good luck.
Posted on: Thu, 30 Jan 2014 14:56:56 +0000
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