Are you running to a job or from one?

“Are you running from a job or to one?” This is the question I posed to a women I mentor recently. This is a question I pose to everyone who seeks my advise about a job change.

As with most people, she had to stop and think before answering me, because just like most people react when a “great opportunity” has appeared, she was ready to jump on it. She knew the issues with her current team/role/career development, but hadn’t stopped long enough to decide if those would follow her to the new role. And unfortunately, that’s what often happens. When you are running from something, that something tends to pop up again when you get where you are going. Sometimes the “thing” is manifested based on your own perception and approach, and has less to do with what you are running from.

None of this is to say that there aren’t reasons to leave (and maybe even run), but you need to be aware of what you are doing and the risks associated with it. Do I think she will leave anyway? Maybe, it the right time, and maybe that’s the right thing for her, but based on our conversation, I’m not convinced it will be for this specific opportunity.