Are You Really Ready to Quit?

Sometimes moving on from a job is clearly the right decision. But if you’re generally happy except for one particular issue, it’s worth talking to your boss about it before you quit. The author offers recommendations for how to handle conversations around four common issues: 1) The logistics of work. Even if your company has announced a “universal” new policy governing how and where employees are required to work, don’t necessarily accept it as definitive; 2) Your projects and skill development. Before you bow out, speak up for what you want; 3) The colleagues you work with. If toxic team members are driving you away, it’s worth asking whether you could be reassigned to a new project or team; 4) Money. If you feel you’re being underpaid, or you’ve gained new skills or experiences that make you especially marketable, or if there’s a particular life goal that feels pressing (such as earning enough to buy a home), a raise may obviate the need to leave your job. By raising these conversations strategically, you’re giving yourself the best chance possible to make your current job work for you, without the stress and hassle of having to leave if you don’t really want to.