Leaving A Bad Work Situation

In 2006 my company was hired to create a brand strategy and marketing plan for a new venture backed by KISS front man Gene Simmons. The project entailed branding a television network and website that featured uncensored music videos.

At first I was excited. I had been a concert promoter in college and early in my career I was in the music business—first as a marketing manager at a large record store chain and then as a promotion director at a pop radio station in Atlanta.

What I had forgotten about the music business is how dysfunctional it could be, and Gene’s company was no exception. Potty jokes set the tone for every meeting and sexual innuendo and derogatory comments marked the executive’s exchanges with everyone involved. It wasn’t a match—I was off my path, walking down memory lane instead of striding boldly into my future.

After putting in three months on a lucrative six-month contract, I thought about walking away. My involvement just didn’t feel right. But, I was in business to make money, and I agonized over the loss of revenue. In the end, I concluded that no amount of money was enough for me to sell my soul. So I met with each executive individually, delivered parting gifts, and explained honestly that I just couldn’t do my best work in this environment.

Knowing when (and how) to bow out gracefully is immensely important to your success and fulfillment. Taking yourself out of a bad situation is often the necessary action to jump-start your personal reinvention process. After all, how can you live your dream when you are inside someone else’s nightmare? Sometimes, we have to have the courage to disappoint others when the culture or situation isn’t the right fit.

Don’t take this type of situation personally; you mustn’t see yourself as having failed, or as having disappointed someone else. Instead, you want to learn and grow from this situation, leave with grace without burning bridges, while showing appreciation, and avoid getting into the blame game, or lost in details and gossip.

How do you know when it’s time to seek greener pastures? For me, it’s when I can no longer stand the thought of participating or when I am out of integrity with my values. If you’re feeling this way, start thinking about making a change. Now and then, no matter how hard you try, the shoe just doesn’t fit and it’s time to move on.

It takes courage to say “no”, to walk away, to make a change. After all, not knowing what’s coming next can be frightening. On the other hand, I’ve never known change not to be for the better. Even when it’s challenging, change forces you to look at yourself and decide what you really want. Change keeps you from growing complacent and getting stuck. It’s a chance to reinvent oneself or explore new territory. It may not always be your choice, but it will almost always be for the best.

When you close the door behind you, make sure you leave behind any negative memories and emotions. Don’t take the old baggage to the next job; make a fresh start. By resigning properly, you will be respected, and you will leave a positive legacy of your work.

 What you do for a living shouldn’t be something you tolerate. It should be something that motivates you to become the person you truly are at your highest potential. If that’s not happening in your current position, it may be time to KISS it goodbye.

 Robin Fisher Roffer is a leading brand strategist and reinvention specialist. Founder and CEO of Big Fish Marketing, she is the author of Make A Name For Yourself: 8 Steps Every Woman Needs To Create A Personal Brand Strategy For Success andThe Fearless Fish Out Of Water: How To Succeed When You’re The Only One Like You. Learn about her Reinvent Yourself! Workshops at http://relevanceinstitute.com/

Robin Fisher Roffer