Fire Your Employer
Fire Your Employer
Employees know how valuable a job is and usually want to stay employed. How do you determine when your job is no longer meaningful or fulfilling and it is time to leave?
Two of my clients had experiences where they had an inkling initially that their employer was a problem. Each resolved the situation in a different way.
My client, Nancy, (not her real name) worked for a nonprofit. Nancy had been at the nonprofit for 10 years. During that time she had been passed over for promotion several times. Her supervisor always gave her excellent rating during her evaluations but never promoted her. Needless to say Nancy was frustrated. The work no longer held a challenge for Nancy.
Nancy was now looking for work that was more meaningful and fulfilling and was ready to resign. At my suggestion she requested a meeting with her supervisor. We practiced a nonjudgmental way to tell her supervisor that Nancy wanted to get some leadership experience and was planning to look for that type of work.
Nancy’s supervisor expressed surprise that Nancy was unhappy enough to look for a job outside the nonprofit. She told Nancy she did not think Nancy wanted to move up in the organization and that Nancy was happy where she was. Now that she knew what Nancy was looking for she assured Nancy she would help her find a more meaningful job. In the end Nancy’s supervisor found her a position as Director of volunteers in the nonprofit. Nancy was thrilled.
Another client Bob (not his real name) worked in a laboratory as a project manager. He had been there for 5 years and everyone on his team looked to him to co-ordinate their activities. Bob managed to get all the loose ends tied together. Bob’s manager however told Bob that while his work was good, it wasn’t good enough to move up in the organization. He told Bob he thought Bob had reached the highest level possible for him in the company.
Bob liked his work and the salary he was earning but he was frustrated by his manager’s inability to see any advancement for him. Bob was tired of pulling projects together without any recognition from management and because of this he no longer found his job meaningful or fulfilling.
After doing some serious self-assessment Bob decided it was time to leave his current job and become an independent project manager. He started his own business.
Most people accept a job offer because it seems right for them at the time. As a person grows or as the job changes that work may become less interesting and meaningful to the employee. Though it is difficult to leave something that still provides a good living it is important to know when it is time to make a change and to take the necessary steps as both Nancy and Bob did.
One sign that your work is meaningful and fulfilling is that you are valued and acknowledged for the work you do. If you are not valued and the company has a downsizing you will be one of the ones let go.
Ask yourself if you are valued by your company? If your answer is “no” or “I don’t know” it is time to change jobs and/or careers.
If your intuition is telling you that your job is no longer providing you with the satisfaction and meaning that it once gave you, it is time to listen and take action. Your intuition can come as a soft whisper or inkling. Often you can miss it unless you pay attention. Learn to trust your intuition. Letting go of a “secure” job is not easy for anyone!
Take Action:
- Think about your current job. Is it providing you with the satisfaction and meaning you want?
- Think about the parts of your current job that you love. Make a list.
- Think about the parts of your current job that you hate.Make a list.
- What is your dream job? Envision a perfect job for you. Have a picture in your mind of what you are heading for.
- What will your next step be? Not sure? A coach can help you to define you dream job and then go for it!
Copyright © 2013 Parker Associates. All rights reserved.
