Should I Jump Ship? Navigating Career Moves in the Great Resignation

Everyone's talking about the great resignation, and it's hard not to wonder if you're missing out on something better. When you see colleagues moving on and getting ahead, that nagging voice starts asking: should you be looking too?

This question was answered by Kimberlee Wells, CEO of TBWA, and Amanda Mechanic, Manager for Caraniche at Work and registered psychologist. Andy Wright from Never Not Creative hosted the discussion, bringing together business leadership and mental health expertise to tackle this common career dilemma.

The Great Resignation Reality Check

The talent shortage is real, but it's not affecting every workplace equally. As Kimberlee explains, "We're not experiencing it so much at TBWA, which I'm very pleased about. We've had the opposite problem though in terms of just trying to find new talent."

Amanda adds important context: "Just because it's making headlines, particularly in other countries who have experienced COVID differently to ours, doesn't mean it will play out in the same way." Don't let external pressure drive internal decisions about your perfectly good job.

Before You Polish That CV

If you feel like you're stalling while others get ahead, the answer isn't automatically to leave. Kimberlee suggests asking yourself: "Is the role that you're currently in an environment where you feel you can be the best that you could be?"

The key question isn't whether you should leave, but whether you've actually explored what's possible where you are. "If you think that there is opportunity for growth but you're not talking to anyone about it, then no, you shouldn't automatically be thinking about leaving," says Kimberlee.

The Power of the Passion Audit

Here's where it gets interesting. Kimberlee's team conducted something brilliant: a passion audit. "Rather than just doing a performance review, we went through the entire business and asked people what was their passion, and then we looked for opportunities to marry their passion with the environment that we have here."

The results? Creatives got to try directing, an editor wrote a screenplay that's now on the international film festival circuit. Sometimes the opportunity you're seeking is right under your nose, waiting for the right conversation.

Having the Tough Conversations

"You have to be able to... it's up to the business to help you achieve your very best at work, but it's up to you to help the business understand what it is that you actually need," explains Kimberlee.

Amanda reinforces this: "As an employee, no matter what industry, you've got to back yourself. You've got to know what you want and you've got to know how to get it, or at least ask for it."

Fear often gets in the way. You worry about seeming too ambitious or too demanding. But as Kimberlee puts it: "When the sun sets, it is your career, so you have to make sure you get the most out of it."

When Looking Around Makes Sense

There's no harm in seeing what's out there. Amanda suggests that "looking at opportunities can do one of many things... it could solidify that no, you're in the right place. You've looked at what's out there and you're actually happy where you are."

But don't let external factors drive your happiness. Focus on internal ones: "Are you happy? Do you love the work that you do? Love the people that you're with? That's got to be a big part of it."

Know What You're Actually Chasing

The industry loves its ladder of titles, but Kimberlee warns: "Don't be in a hurry to just jump those title bands because eventually you will stall and eventually you could also come unstuck."

She's seen people reach leadership positions only to discover "they don't want to be leaders, they want to stay close to the work." Her advice? "Know what the job is, because you can take advantage of these opportunities, but by the same token, the expectations on you also change."

The Real Reason to Leave

For Kimberlee, there's one main reason to leave: "The job ostensibly is the same in every agency you work in, but the people that you work with, the leadership team around you, and the culture and values of the business are what make a big difference. So you've got to find your tribe."

If you love your tribe, work with them to create the right opportunities for yourself. If you don't, that's when it might be time to look elsewhere.

The grass isn't always greener, but sometimes a good look around helps you appreciate the garden you're already tending. Before you make any big moves, have those conversations, explore those passions, and remember: your career is a marathon, not a sprint.