You’re no longer invited to key strategy meetings. There are whispers in the hall. Team members are keeping their distance. Your voice is no longer respected. No one values your opinion. The writing is on the wall.
So … do you immerse yourself in your work? Do you put on a blindfold and hope “it” will go away? Should you stay in your comfort zone? Should you create your personal pity party?
The simple answer — no. The message is strong and clear. It is time for you to leave. You can choose to jump on your terms or wait for the pink slip to follow while your confidence diminishes daily.
Loyalty schmoyalty
Professional change is one of the hardest things to experience in life — especially for us who grew up with a belief in company loyalty. Perhaps you have dedicated years to a company. Perhaps you were a recent hire. In any case, you’ve been a contributor. You’ve probably given it your all. You may even define yourself by what you do and who you work for.
Change within a company (re-organization, downsizing, “right-sizing,” layoffs, RIFs) often comes as a reaction to times of transition well beyond your control. It can happen to virtually anyone without being a reflection on you. Your company may be merging with another company, you may have a new management team or your company might be taking a new business direction. In spite of your emotional state, you must open your eyes to the reality of change. You must be your personal agent of change.
Be the one in control
As someone who has been on both sides of that seesaw, I have learned the lesson: You must be the one in control. You need to take charge. It’s your life. Why would you allow someone to break down what you have created?
When change is upon you, control the aspects that you can control.
Have that self-interview — acknowledge what you have done right and assess where you may be weak. And then admit that you might not be a candidate for the change. It’s not personal, it’s professional. Gut-wrenching though it is — you need to react quickly.
Ignore the signs at your own peril
One of my friends ignored the signs. He was hired by a small company right after college. He achieved high acclaim for his efforts and was rewarded with gifts and trips. But the last five years of his 31-year career were filled with fear and anxiety as his small company was ultimately bought by a Global 100 enterprise.
His achievements? Lost in the transition. In the new organization, he was a mere clean slate with a new set of expectations and demands. And then it came — a phone call telling him that he was no longer a fit. He was 55 years and unemployed in one of the most challenging economic periods in history. He sought employment for three years. He finally landed.
Change is constant
I, too, was loyal to a company. I achieved much while I was there. I traveled globally and grew to be a respected member of the product development team. Then we merged with another company. The gloves came off and it was a battle.
We went through one transition — and then everything changed again when a new management team was hired. Again, it seemed that I was on the “winning” side until I wasn’t. The newCEO told me that I was a fantastic transition player — but he didn’t see a place for me on his long-term team. I waited it out for a few weeks. I shed my tears and tossed and turned every single night. Then I decided it was really time for me to leave.
So I dusted off my resume. I called everyone I knew — repeatedly. I became obsessed about finding a new career. I contacted all my former managers. And I landed in less than sixty days.
In my future blog articles for WiseTribe I will discuss your role in change, including
- Creating your network
- Becoming relevant
- Developing your unique value proposition
Be prepared when it really is time to go.
Sharon Mills’ career spans more than 30 years in technology. Although she is a type A++, she tries to find balance in her life. While professional challenges like start-up companies are powerful, she also enjoys creative outlets like cooking. Sharon is a keen walker, a dedicated yogi and laughs daily! Stay tuned — who knows the next adventure?
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