If you have been thinking about quitting, you aren’t alone.

Almost 1 in 4 (23%) adult Australians are considering leaving their current place of employment, according to the NAB’s 2022 Behavioural Insight Report.

But as a leader in your business, how do you know when you should push through or leave?

You are quiet quitting.

You arrive at work right on time (or perhaps a little later, now you think of it). You do the minimum requirements of your job and ensure you put in no more effort or enthusiasm than is necessary.

The term ‘quiet quitting’ emerged in the early 2020’s as a buzz word for worker dissatisfaction. It can get you through for a while, you may even be happy that you are being paid to do the bare minimum – but ultimately it leads to more disengagement, job dissatisfaction and will likely end up in performance management.

You have ‘Monday-itis’ – just about every day of the week.

If you are filled with dread when your alarm goes off in the morning, it’s time to consider a change. It is normal to feel tired and slow moving, and hey, we all have days that we would prefer to stay home. But, if you are finding the anxiety around your work all consuming – you are doing a disservice to yourself and your team.

You don’t feel like your usual self.

Your physical health and general attitude can be indicators of your mental state.

Perhaps you’ve been feeling run down or getting sick more often. You might have noticed changes in your eating or drinking habits. Have you gone off food because of anxiety? Or is the opposite, turning to food or alcohol to distract and unwind?

Consider if your job dissatisfaction is causing tension in the workplace. Perhaps you are a little shorter with your direct reports or colleagues than you used to be. You might have even noticed a growing rift with the leadership team.

You can’t find the positives.

When someone asks you how your day was, you find yourself spiralling in negative commentary. You struggle to find the highlights or development opportunities in your role.

Try as you might, you’re finding it increasingly difficult to stay positive for your team. You find yourself slipping up or divulging negative details you would have normally kept under wraps.

You are consumed by the idea of leaving.

If you find yourself thinking about quitting on a regular basis, there’s probably a good reason. You may have toyed with the idea of applying for something else or started vocalising your desire to move on.

Make sure that you're considering leaving for the right reasons, and not just because you’ve had a bad week.

Try asking yourself:

  • What sparked the idea to leave? Was it a specific event or an ongoing issue that won’t be resolved in the business?
  • Have your values changed since you started, and do they still align with those of the company?
  • Is it the culture? Is this something you could help change as a leader?
  • Have you communicated your concerns to the right people?

If you have aired your worries with leadership and aren’t getting the traction you need, take this as sign you are ready for a new challenge.

When you are ready to take the plunge.

It is possible for a leader to quit gracefully with the right plan in place.

Wherever possible, it’s best to have another opportunity lined up. If you feel like you don’t have the time for a job search, get in touch with a trusted executive search consultant who will do the leg work for you.

Take time to understand the finer details around your departure, including any financial factors. Make sure you can give adequate notice. It always helps to come prepared with a succession plan or an idea of what your handover will look like.

Talk to your manager. Emphasise the benefits of your time with the company but be honest about your reasons for moving on. Ensure your feedback is constructive not negative. As a leader your feedback could help improve the environment for the team you are leaving behind.

If you are leaving for a new leadership opportunity, be clear about the things it offers that you were unable to find in your current role.

Ready for a change?

Boston Stanley opens the door for progressive leaders, ready and driven to make real impact. We empower our clients by consistently aligning the right talent with the right role. Follow us on LinkedIn to keep stay up to date with our latest industry insights.