By Amy Phipps
Should I stay or should I go now?
If I go there will be trouble
And if I stay it will be double
So come on and let me know
Should I stay for should I Go?
–The Clash
The New Year is a great time to stop and reflect on the opportunity to make positive changes in your life. A diet, an exercise plan, projects around the house and…oh yes …what about your career? The calm that follows the frenzy of the holidays can give you the space you need to take a step back and look at where you’ve been, where you are currently…and where you might want to go in the future.
If you’re like most nonprofit professionals, you’re mission-driven. And if you’ve been dedicated to and effective at translating your mission into results, your leaving may be a disruption for the organization. But, at the same time, you may have a sense that it’s time to move on. Perhaps you’ve completed a major effort and are looking for a new challenge. Perhaps there have been roadblocks to your success. You may be looking for opportunities for advancement that your current organization just can’t provide. Sometimes it’s about the money.
Whatever your situation, you’ll want to maintain relationships and leave your organization in good stead. To insure a positive transition for the affected organizations and for you personally, we’d encourage you not to be tempted to leap quickly into the next step. Instead, first do a 360-degree assessment of your current situation. This will help you to better understand your reasons for leaving and know more about what you really want. Ask yourself these questions:
Should I Stay?
- How long have I been here?
- What have I accomplished?
- What remains to be done?
- What is the potential for advancement?
- How will my staff team be affected?
- How will my board team be affected?
- What situations exist in this position that I would want to change in the next position?
- What situations exist in this position that I would also want in the next position?
Once you’ve completed this reflection, it’s time to think about your next position. Think about these questions.
Should I Go?
- What do I love?
- Who would I want to work with?
- Are there causes or initiatives I would want to work for?
- What are my career goals?
- Where am I in my career cycle?
- What new skills would I like to learn?
- What new experiences would I like to have?
- Where can I be of greatest service?
Come On and Let Me Know
After you’ve completed a self-reflection process, how do you move toward a decision?
- Seek support from one or two trusted confidantes who understand you and the field.
- Take care of your health. This can be stressful! Eat right, exercise, and get enough rest.
- If within your tradition, seek counsel from clergy or a spiritual advisor.
Whether you decide to stay or to go, using this process will equip you to move into 2014 confident that you are in the right place at the right time. And what better way to start the New Year?