It’s likely that everyone reading this blog (including the two people writing it) have, at some point in their career, wondered why they made the career decision they made. At the time it seemed like such a good idea!

The obvious example would be leaving your position in a company to start your own business. And we have a lot of experience working with people who do this. This Blog, however, is for those that feel a need to change jobs (or organizations), compete for a promotion, or seek a new career path in the same organization.

One of us(Tony) quit his hospital administration job in Rhode Island to take a hospital administration job in Philadelphia. Three weeks into the Philadelphia job, he realized he made the worst job decision in his career (and now looking back – it was). Fortunately it ended well, but it could have just as easily ended poorly (he left Philadelphia and returned to Rhode Island in a new position). What happened? “The urge to move away from was much stronger than the urge to move to.” Meaning, there is a stronger (and perhaps impulsive) drive to leave than assessment of where it is best to go! And when this happens, the questions you should ask when vetting a new opportunity are often over-ridden or simply overlooked.

We also see and work with individuals who want to be promoted. In fact, this is common. Yet how many people desiring promotion actually enjoy the job and excel at it when they get it? A lot less than initially wanted the position. Why? Oftentimes the reason for wanting the promotion is: money, prestige, authority. Oh sure, these come with the promotion, no doubt about it. But also what comes is: increased responsibility, more challenging politics, more criticism and more people to manage, perhaps a new culture to learn and adapt to, and a new role in which you may not be the superstar that you were in the previous one

There is nothing wrong with changing jobs, seeking promotions and demanding greater responsibility and leadership for you. We applaud these behaviors and attitudes. And, not wanting them is also not bad; it is not failure. Not wanting them simply means there are other things you want and enjoy more, and may sincerely excel at best. And that is OK. What’s not OK is being dishonest with yourself or not even asking yourself the questions regarding your career motivations and drivers. A poor job decision will not only have a negative impact on you, but also on your family, friends and employees, in addition to the organization.

In Thursday’s Quick Tips we will identify the questions you should ask yourself as you are considering a career/job change.

Copyright 2010 Kubica and LaForest