Stay or Go: A Leader's Guide to decoding Your next move!

As a Coach, I've had the privilege of working with numerous ambitious senior leaders who've grappled with the decision of whether to stay in their role or move on. It's a complex and a very personal dilemma that can have far-reaching implications for one's career, well-being, and reputation.

But why does this question arise in the first place? I believe it's because most of us are constantly evaluating our impact, reputation, and personal fulfillment. IN the 12 hours that we spend at workplace, and the remaining 12 years thinking about it, we do wonder if we’re making a meaningful difference, if our values align with the organization's, or if we're growing professionally and personally. When the answers to these questions become unclear (and not necessarily a straight No!), the decision to stay or go becomes a pressing concern.

The spectrum of dilemma can be as wide as from having a feeling of stagnation, disengagement, and restlessness on one hand, to misfired decisions or unfulfilled potential filled with regrets.

If you are facing and trying to navigate this crossroad, I encourage you to explore some key questions with yourself. For easy recall, I call them questions of “FIT – Future| Impact |Truth".

F - Future: Looking ahead and exploring the "Future You" that is unfolding ahead.

I - Impact: Considering the effects of staying or not staying back ,on the Future You (Impact= Your growth, reputation and personal satisfaction & well-being)

T - Truth: Examining your personal values, beliefs, strengths and weaknesses w.r.t. where you are and where you want to be.

So here are 6 questions to clarify the FIT :

FUTURE:

1. Compared to today, what do I see myself doing differently as a leader in the next 1-3 years ? (State tangibly e.g. a different title, position, financial state, size or scope of role, etc)

2. What kind of a leadership reputation do I want to be known for, in future? (State the words that you would like to be used to describe your future self- e.g. creator, innovator, turn-around leader, results driven, strategic, transformative, social impact creater, etc)

IMPACT:

1. Is my current role helping me speed up or is it slowing down my pace, towards the future self? (Be objective and answer with a Yes or a No only)

2. How will my decision to move to a new role or stay back in the same role, influence my reputation and personal brand? (Answer in terms of - Positive influence, Neutral or Negative impact)

TRUTH:

1.What are my non-negotiable values (things I really value for my self) in my career and life? (Name your top 2 values- eg. Money, Family, Health, Independence, Helping others, etc. Think about what you truly enjoy about your work, or admire about people who you look up to. This should help you decode your Values.)

2.What percentage am I living or experiencing my values in my current role? ( Put an overall percentage, e.g. 10%, 50%, 65%, 100% etc). Will this percentage go up or come down if I continue in my current role or move to the new role?

The decision to stay or go is a personal one, influenced your unique circumstances, priorities, and aspirations. However it is important to create a reflective space for yourself to explore your thoughts, feelings, and options. The FIT frame will definitely anchor your thoughts as you go through this cross-road.

If you're a leader grappling with this decision, I encourage you to take the time to reflect on your own situation, values, and goals. The answer will be unique to you, and it may emerge from a place of quiet contemplation, rather than a prescriptive checklist.