Career management: Is it a good idea to quit a job when everything is going well?

Generally, when we talk about making a professional change, the narrative is usually associated with situations of discontent, such as: work conflicts, bad relationship with your hierarchical superior, toxic environment, impossibility of continuing to grow, restructuring, etc.

However, there is a less explored, but equally valid, scenario. In fact, we can say that, on many occasions, the best time to leave a job is precisely when everything is going well.

Let’s look at some of the reasons. Why would anyone consider taking such a step?

1) The “dangerous” comfort

Be careful with comfort. Sometimes, depending on one’s personal situation, it may make sense to stay in a comfortable and stable position temporarily. But be careful if it goes on too long, as in the long run it can backfire. Good pay, a positive work environment, stability… they are factors for personal satisfaction. But they can also become a disguised stalemate. Comfort can become a comfort zone that, in the long run, limits professional and personal development. The idea of abandoning stability for uncertainty may seem risky, but for some, it’s the only way forward.

2) Exposure to new environments

Professional development involves challenging yourself, learning new skills, and exploring different aspects of working life. Giving up a stable job, in which we already know and “master” the different internal stakeholders, can be the key that opens the door to new experiences and opportunities for personal development that would not be possible otherwise.  

There are no written rules, but when it comes to strategic career management, we often say that “after 8 years in the same company, you need a compelling reason to stay”. Therefore, if there is no such compelling reason (a promotion, an expatriation to another country, etc.), it may be a good time to change even if you are well. 

3) The search for another lifestyle

For example, seeking a better work-life balance can be a reason to leave a successful job. It is very important that work does not destabilize other key pillars (family, friendships, our hobbies, etc.). In this sense, the decision to leave a job may well be based on the search for greater harmony. 

4) Trajectory change

Even in moments of professional peak, people are looking for a change of course. To give an example, a successful sales person may, at a certain point, want to take a turn towards marketing. This can mean taking a sideways step or even backwards. But sometimes, it’s good to take a step back to take 2 steps forward in the future.

5) Search for Purpose

Being well in a position and company is one thing, and being connected to your purpose is another. A recent real-life example: a person in our circle of trust was European Director of Human Resources in a large multinational in the FMCG sector. At her highest professional moment, she decided to make the leap as a director of an educational institution, reducing her salary by more than half. Genius or madness? There’s nothing more rewarding than aligning personal and professional purpose, so, in our opinion, bravo!

Conclusion: it is essential to listen to yourself internally, not to ignore intuition, to eliminate as much noise as possible, to keep the ego at bay, and with all this, to be able to make courageous decisions even in favorable environments. 

Leaving a job when everything is going well is not a decision to be taken lightly, but it should not, under any circumstances, be completely ruled out. It requires deep introspection to assess whether current comfort is limiting the potential for growth, or even greater future happiness. 

Álvaro Cárcel, Partner.