We have all had jobs, positions or bosses that were far from ideal. In some cases, our boss or co-workers were degrading or downright verbally abusive! It is hard to last long in that environment, especially when it seems like some co-workers were dedicated to making your working life hell. Typically, it is an isolated few that have a big impact on the overall team.

Bad terms or the high road?

When it is finally time for you to leave that position, you are given a choice: leave on bad terms or take the high road. For example, you could leave your team in a lurch by neglecting to document your procedures on a new process. Alternatively, you could choose to take some time to write-up basic processes so that others can continue your work when you are gone.

Tempting to Burn Bridges

Emotions run high when you quit your job for a career change. It can seem much more satisfying, in the short-term, to leave knowing the challenges your team will have when you are gone. It may feel as though some of your co-workers are “getting what they deserve“. You might feel justified knowing you inflicted some pain on them in the same they inflicted pain on you. However, I want you to think of the long-term implications of your actions.

Reconsidering How to Resign

As you continue on with your career, consider how you will be viewed by your prior company. What do your actions say about your overall character? Do those actions undermine an otherwise professional, respectful individual? If your actions speak negatively to your character, they could negatively impact you. You know the ‘full story’ of what happened in that office. Oftentimes what is shared isn’t the whole story and you could be marked as unprofessional. While you might not care what those co-workers or that company thinks of you, you never know when future employers might learn that information. Also, consider the broader implications of your actions? Maybe you only wanted to hurt a few people, but did your actions negatively impact the teammates who you respected?

What this means for the long-term

Every situation is unique. At Wolfgang Career Coaching we help our clients to look at the situation objectively and think through the short-term and long-term results of their actions. What will be the impact of their actions in the long-term? What do these actions say about how they view themselves, about who they are? It can be harder to take the high-road when you quit your job. While you might feel less satisfied in the short-term, you may wind up with lasting positive implications in the long-run.