Stay or Go, Check your Beliefs and Behaviors

Last week I read the Joblist Survey report with sincere interest.  One of the biggest findings was that of the millions of people who quit their jobs as part of the on-going great resignation, at least one in four of those regrets doing so. The hospitality industry had a rate of 31% who regretted leaving their position! Read more about this report and how it relates to the hospitality industry and what actions we can take in my recent newsletter.

These results made me curious: how do  you know when its time to leave your job?  Scott Samuels, CEO of Horizon Hospitality, answers that very question in his article “When is it Time to Find Another Job?”.

In his article, Samuels identifies and expands upon four reasons for deciding to leave a job:

1. Compensation is stagnant
2. The work environment is perpetually toxic
3. Your growth has stalled
4. There is no end to burnout

I couldn’t agree more with Samuels that the above are all good reasons for leaving a job. As a leadership coach and an owner of hospitality business, I was triggered to explore each of these reasons. Underlying all the reasons that people might leave their job and the reasons for regret that might follow, is the reality, that when you leave a job, you also take with you any unresolved issues or patterns of behavior with you. As a result, you can end up being equally unhappy in the new position.  If you are unsatisfied with your job for any of the above reasons, consider the beliefs and behaviors below before making any big moves.

Evaluate your sense of self-worth (Compensation)
There’s no doubt that an employer should regularly be reviewing salaries and wages, reward good performance and offer financial growth opportunities. On the other hand, professionals also should take self- responsibility, be their own advocate and ask for what they want and need. Have you resisted asking for a better compensation package because you have low self-confidence or sense of self-worth?

Reflect on your behaviors (Toxic work environment)
Addressing a toxic work environment is one of the most difficult work culture issues for employers to address. Often it takes years to identify the circumstances or employees who are contributing to it and it may not be fully realized until the person has left. While employers have a significant responsibility to find and weed out the causes of the toxic environment, have you considered that your behavior might contribute? Toxic behavior is caused by a myriad of circumstances such as not being able to self-reflect, having un-met needs, being a perfectionist or always playing the victim, damaging relationships or giving in to destructive behavior.

Cultivate a Growth Mindset (Your growth has stalled)
Its easy to point fingers and determine that you have not been given opportunities to grow in your company. However, what else might be stopping you from that growth? Having a fixed mindset vs. a growth mindset is one of the biggest reasons people cannot get to the next step in their career. They are either unwilling or unable to see that they are capable of learning new things and that experiencing failures along the way does not mean you are a failure.

Set Clear Boundaries (There's no end to burnout)
Burnout and the contribution of poor working environments to it, is a real thing. If companies are not addressing systemic issues that contribute to burnout, then it might be time to say goodbye. On the other hand, have you been clear about your boundaries? Do you always say yes to overtime? Have you communicated to your boss what you are willing and not willing to take on? If not, what is the underlying reason you have not been able to set boundaries? 

The truest sign of a leader is the deliberate effort to clear your own path to achieve your peak potential. If you are exploring your next career move, whether or not it means leaving a job or staying, be sure that you are also turning your inquiry and reflection inward. You'll be happier in an existing job and if you do decided to leave, you'll be more successful and satisfied with your new position.