On the Importance of Workplace Fit
Fit is important. Anyone who has ever held a role (even if it was a "dream role") in a work place culture that was significantly misaligned with their personal values, ethics, and internal compass will tell you just that. Considering that we spend such a significant amount of time at work, we should aspire to be relatively happy while we’re there. Ponder this. A full time, 40 hour a week employee who completes a 40 year career will spend approximately 83,000 hours throughout their lifetime working. In all reality, many of us will average more than 40 hours a week in salaried roles or via side hustles and part time jobs. This pushes our lifetime hours worked projection closer 100,000 hours in a 40 year career.
Staying in a situation that is misaligned with our core values can have a negative impact on our overall health. In fact, when employees are dissatisfied with their job they are more likely to report health concerns. Being miserable at work for sustained periods of time can literally be detrimental to our health.
You might sense where I'm going with this. If we have the ability to change course in our work lives if we’re not thriving...there's no reason we shouldn't. I held a number of roles early in my career where I vividly felt a sense misalignment with my personal values and the environment in which I worked. Each of these situations was unique. In one case I felt a disconnect between the consistent praise I was receiving for a job well done, which contrasted significantly with my self-evaluation that I was ineffective in the role and that my skills weren't being put to good use. In another, I worked in an environment fueled by negativity, skepticism, and pessimism. For someone who leads with positivity, I found that dynamic draining to the point that I often let the stress I was experiencing at work impact my family when I arrived home each day.
Situations that result in work consistently (and negatively) influencing our life at home simply aren't worth trying to navigate in the long run. While it's easy to talk about pursuing change when necessary, there are a number of barriers and challenges associated with completing a job search. A role change may require learning to navigate a completely different work culture, building a new professional network, and adapting to the expectations of a new supervisor. If you have a partner or family, a decision to make a change impacts them as well, particularly if a new role involves a relocation. There are also costs associated with putting together application materials and preparing for interviews (represented in both time and resources). In short...there's a lot to weigh when considering whether or not to begin a search.
All that said, here's a few things to consider as you think about professional fit and whether its time to pursue a change. There's a lot to weigh when it comes to determining whether or not a change is right for you and it's important to intentionally reflect prior to deciding to begin a search.
Consider the following: Do you have the opportunity to the do the things you do best in your role? If not, are there opportunities within your organization that may be a better fit for your skill set? Are there means to address your concerns that do not involve a search?
Keep in mind that there will be challenges in every role: No situation is perfect. Every position has a unique set of challenges and there will always be moments where you'll be faced with frustration and discord. The grass might seem greener on the other side, but make sure to weigh the cons of leaving a role in addition to the pros. It’s not uncommon to feel a sense of loss when reflecting on moving away from an organization when you consider the bonds you’ve established...all which take time to build in a new organization.
Prioritize your work culture wish list: If you've made a decision to pursue a job search, make sure to map out a list of the things that matter most to you in a professional role. What are your non-negotiable items in terms of workplace culture? Do you have specific expectations for the formality of your workplace environment? Do your deal breakers focus on the quality of your teammates, the mission of the organization, your benefits, your compensation, the challenge associated with the role, or opportunities for professional development? If it's a combination of several of these elements, make sure to prioritize which is most important. (This is an excellent activity for first time job seekers to complete as well as they consider their first opportunity).
Talk with your manager...if you sense you'll receive support: If you have a healthy professional relationship with your supervisor, I highly recommend discussing your concerns about fit with them. There are times when a supervisor may have the ability to make changes that can significantly improve your situation. Great managers will also support you if you indeed feel a need to pursue a transition.
Talk with a professional mentor: Seek out professional mentors within your organization, or individuals in your network to talk with about various options you're considering. These folks tend to be great resources for floating ideas off of prior to making any major decisions. Anytime I'm struggling with career dissonance, I'm swift to call leaders I admire from the past who've been sage-like in terms of the advice they've been willing to provide.
Regardless of where you're at in terms of your current situation, there is no question that workplace culture is an essential element of our daily professional experience. In closing...consider the words of Steve Jobs, "Your work is going to fill a large part of your life and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it".
