At some point in our careers, we find ourselves asking the questions: Where am I going in this company? Is this job still right for me? Should I stay or should I go?
The reasons vary. It might be boredom or being under-challenged. It could be isolation or feeling drained in a busy office. Changes in leadership, team dynamics, or company structure can be unsettling. In some cases, it’s a growing sense that your impact has diminished or that the work no longer feels meaningful.
When this happens, it can be tempting to dust off your CV but leaving isn’t always the answer.
So what can you do to help you make a considered decision?
Start with reflection
Understanding why you’re feeling this way is essential before deciding what comes next. Take a moment and ask yourself what is really the problem here:
- Is it the Environment? (Culture, workspace, flexibility)
- Is it the People? (Relationships, leadership changes, loneliness or isolation)
- Is it the Work? (Scope, challenge, autonomy, growth, impact)
Answering these questions is a good starting point. It may give you insights needed to have a meaningful conversation with your manager about improving your current situation. If the issue feels deeper, it may be time to explore your values and see whether your current role still supports them.
Explore your values
Our values reflect what matters most to us in life, at work, and in our relationships. We invest time, energy, and resources to ensure they are met. When our work aligns with our values, we feel engaged, motivated, and fulfilled. When it doesn’t, we experience discomfort and unease.
The following exercise can help you gain clarity on what truly matters to you at work and whether any underlying issues could be addressed within your current organisation:
- Identify your values
Ask yourself, “What’s important to me about work?” Write each response on a separate Post-it note, using only a few words. Keep asking the question until you have 10–12 values. - Prioritise your values
Arrange the notes in a vertical hierarchy, placing your non-negotiables at the top. - Assess alignment
Rate how well your current role fulfils each value on a scale of 1–10 (10 = fully fulfilled, 1 = not fulfilled at all).
If any values score below 5, consider what would need to change for them to reach at least a 7. This exercise can be a good starting point for a deeper conversation with your manager.
Making your decision
Take the time to explore all your options with a coach, your manager or a trusted mentor before you consider resigning. Reflect on how your current role could evolve and where you might stretch yourself – whether that’s taking on broader responsibility, increasing your impact, or stepping into a leadership role.
There may also be opportunities, projects, or roles elsewhere in the organisation that align more closely with your values and professional goals.
Working with a coach can create space to step back, clarify what isn’t working, and get clear on what you really want. It can also help you prepare for the conversations that lead to meaningful change – and decide, with confidence, whether to stay or move on.
If you’re ready to explore your options and take purposeful next steps in your career, we can support you to move forward with clarity and confidence. Get in touch via the link below.
